At Ivy Tech, we want our values to be apparent in the daily experiences of each and every member of our community. We have a responsibility to consistently create space for all voices to be heard, while also rejecting hate and intolerance. This year, we have seen the divisions that racism, inequity, and incivility continue to play out in our society. We have also seen the anger and fear of those who are not heard as well as those who do not feel heard. Given the challenges in our nation, it is especially appropriate that we strive as a college to uphold Goal 8 of our Strategic Mission to create a sustainable culture of diversity, equity, and belonging.
Multicultural Student Organization Practices Service and Scholarship
“Ivy Tech provides an educational platform where we can safely challenge our thoughts, broaden our understanding, create dialogue, and have the opportunity to engage with others who are looking to embrace the beauty of diversity.” Since 2015, nearly 100 students have actively participated in the Fort Wayne, Ivy Tech student organization, GOAL y Amigos (Graduating Outstanding Achieving Latinos and Friends). What started out as a Latino student organization quickly became multicultural, and since its inception, students have self-identified as Black, White, Latino/Hispanic, Malaysian, Asian, Mexican, Cuban, African, Sudanese, Burmese, Moroccan, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, Haitian, Iranian, Salvadorian and identified as members as of the LGBTQ community. These students ranged in ages between 18-74, and have diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Many of our GOAL students utilize their skills through the community and hold seats as current board members for local organizations. In addition, they still make time to return to the college in order to assist current and upcoming students with workshops in networking, scholarships, service, and leadership.
Diversity Training for Campus Leadership
Our Chancellor’s Cabinet has kicked off monthly Diversity trainings and joined Fort Wayne’s United Front, a local, comprehensive cultural competency program that fosters racial equity, healing, and unity. Our leadership, staff, faculty, and the college are committed to ensuring the space for all voices to be heard and rejecting hate and intolerance.
Fort Wayne and Warsaw prepare for second diversity, equity, and belonging book club
Ivy Tech faculty and staff will participate in a book club featuring Ibram X. Kendi’s “How to be an Anti-Racist.” Sociology instructor, Lisa Beringer, will facilitate the discussions that begin Feb. 16.
Anonymous Donor gives $200,000 for Multicultural Scholarships targeting SSHS students from diverse backgrounds
Through the generous support of an anonymous donor, a Multicultural Scholarship for South Side High School students has been established at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne. The donor, who is a graduate of South Side High School, funded 20 full-ride, two-year scholarships to Ivy Tech for students in the SSHS graduating class of 2020. The gift has a value of $200,000 and ensures that these 20 students will graduate with little to no educational debt.
The scholarships were also all given in honor of northeast Indiana community leaders from diverse backgrounds. The honorees are: Steve Corona, Cookye Rutledge, Alice Jordan-Miles, Heather and Iric Headley, Joe Jordan, Ahmed Abdelmageed, Minn Myint Nan Tin, Michelle Chambers, Marlon Wardlow, and Bennie and Sheryl Edwards.
“Education was a gateway to changing my life academically, personally and financially. It is an honor and privilege to have a scholarship named after me because of my life’s work here in Fort Wayne,” said Michelle Chambers, Councilwoman At Large. “Education levels the playing field of life. It’s my belief that for the student chosen to receive this scholarship, life will forever be enhanced in a positive way.
Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s Dr. JoAnne Alvarez is the Director of Student Success and Engagement and Diversity Lead at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw. Born and raised in a small town, outside of El Paso, Texas, Dr. Alvarez moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where she pursued her Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree at Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne, (IPFW) and earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree in Ethical Leadership at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. In 2015 Dr Alvarez created an Ivy Tech student organization, GOAL y Amigos (Graduating Outstanding Achieving Latinos and Friends) that provides a student space to share their perspectives and personal journeys of being a part of a multicultural student organization.
Inside Ivy Tech 