IU recommitted to its vision as statewide leader
During a recent visit to Indiana University’s Fort Wayne campus, I was struck by the palpable momentum in the air, from the classrooms on campus to the kind people throughout the community.
The visit coincided with our November board of trustees meeting, which felt an appropriate location during this moment of change and opportunity for IU Fort Wayne and the broader region.
During the meeting, we heard a promising update from IU Fort Wayne’s inaugural chancellor, Deb Garrison: Enrollment has eclipsed 1,000 students, up 138% from IU Fort Wayne’s first year in 2018.
All of IUFW’s students graduate with degrees in health care, spanning medicine, dental hygiene, nursing, social work and more. They play a crucial role in filling a workforce need in Indiana.
Health care is the largest employment sector in Allen County, and the second largest in the region. According to one recent study by the Don Wood Foundation and Questa Foundation, by 2027 there will be a workforce gap of up to 8,000 bachelor’s degree graduates in northeast Indiana.
IU is taking aggressive steps to help fill that gap. Our goal is to reach an enrollment of 2,000 IU Fort Wayne students.
How will we get there? We’re creating more pathways from high school to campus through initiatives such as our upcoming seamless admission program with Fort Wayne Community Schools.
Through this program, high school students who graduate with a 2.0 grade point average will gain automatic admission to IU Fort Wayne.
We’re already talking with additional districts about expanding the program to reach even more regional students.
We’re also focused on student retention. This year is the first of our 21st Century Scholars Bridge Program, which offers low-income students the chance to earn credits and gain skills over the summer, as well as connect them with experiences in the surrounding community to create a foundation for early success.
All of these efforts are motivated by IU’s continued commitment to improve the lives of Hoosiers and contribute to the economic vitality of our state. We’re meeting our ambitious goals and driving our state forward by listening to the needs of Indiana communities and responding with investments in students and research.
I have learned so much from touring all 92 of Indiana’s counties, where I heard directly from community leaders, elected officials and everyday Hoosiers about what Indiana University can do to improve their lives.
My visits to northeast Indiana were some of my favorites, whether it was walking down Ohki Alley in Columbia City (Whitley County), visiting Muensterberg Plaza in Berne (Adams County) or taking in the fire tower at Ouabache State Park in Wells County.
Just recently, I reached the last county on the list. While each visit had its own flavor and unique experience, the sum total made it clear that IU has a variety of ways to help communities throughout the state.
That includes matching our programs and curriculum to meet the workforce needs of state and local economies, promoting entrepreneurship to incubate the small businesses of tomorrow, and investing in transformative research to improve quality of life for people across the state and the globe. It includes nurturing Indiana’s creative economy, ensuring students are college-ready, and capitalizing on the power of Hoosier hospitality.
Our impact goes far beyond IU students and alumni, and we should operate accordingly.
I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Fort Wayne. Until then, however, Indiana University will continue to prioritize the needs of northeast Indiana to unlock a brighter future for all who call it home.
This article appeared in The Journal Gazette on December 6, 2024.