By Lesley DeVoss—
MUNCIE, Ind. – Through the Early College partnership with Ivy Tech, Delaware and Henry County high school students are able to graduate with a college degree or certification from Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County.
Students can complete an Early College application during their 8th grade year to take part in the Early College Program. The application process includes a review of the student’s attendance record, ILEARN scores, formative assessments (NWEA or i-Ready) and class work based on teacher recommendation. These students are also required to take Ivy Tech’s Knowledge Assessment test at the end of their 8th grade year in order to be eligible to earn college credits in dual credit courses.
Delaware County schools participating in the Early College program include Muncie Central High School and Delta High School.
“Muncie Central has offered dual credit programming in conjunction with dual enrollment courses that is allowing students to earn an Associate of General Studies (AGS) while in high school. This year, we are awarding 27 AGS to Muncie Central students!” Rebekah Ireland, Director of K-14 Initiatives said.
Students in the Early College Program receive free tuition for all courses in the program. They are eligible to earn an Associate Degree in liberal arts, science, or general studies. The degrees are two-year degrees that require the completion of 60 credit hours. All of the degrees are transferrable to a 4-year university.
MaKaiya Lowe is one of the Early College students who graduates from Ivy Tech’s Muncie-Henry County Campus on May 21, 2022 at the Muncie Central Fieldhouse. Lowe is receiving her Ivy Tech degree before she receives her high school diploma.
“Early College has strongly prepared me for all the responsibilities I had to learn how to balance in order to do good in school. It feels good to know that I really accomplished something that most students don’t even get the opportunity to do. My advice to incoming freshman is to not be afraid to stick with the dual credit classes. When making your schedule choose the route that best suits you. I stayed on the dual credit route and here I am, graduating with my associate’s degree!” Lowe said.
Henry County’s Early College program is a partnership between Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County and the New Castle Career Center. Students are able to earn certifications in Pre-Nursing, Welding, Machine Tool Technology, Dementia Care, Certified Nursing Aid (CNA), Patient Care Technician, and Culinary. They can also ear an Indiana Transfer Core and Associates of General Studies degree.
In Henry County, five area schools take part in the Early College program, including New Castle High School, Tri High School, Blue River Valley High School, Shenandoah High School, and Knightstown High School. Some students also come to the New Castle Career Center to take part in the program from outside of the service area. Students are able to come to the New Castle Career Center to take pre-requisite college courses for a number of degrees.
One Henry County student is Trisdyn Nunn. Nunn began earning dual credits in her sophomore year of high school at New Castle High School and has completed most of her prerequisites already for her intended major at a 4-year university. She is graduating with both her CNA and Dementia Care certificates. After graduating with her certificates, Nunn plans to return to Ivy Tech to finish up the last of her prerequisites before majoring in nursing or radiology.
“It was convenient for me to attend the New Castle Ivy Tech location because of how close it was my high school. I enjoyed the staff and professors. They helped me achieve the goals I set for myself. My favorite part about Early College was that I was able to have some college credits and experience before officially starting my college career,” Nunn said.
On Saturday, May 21, the schools in the Delaware County service area had 187 students graduating from Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County while Henry County had 139 students graduating. All of these students will graduate with certificates, technical certificates, or associate’s degrees that can transfer onto 4-year universities or help them find local employment within high-demand workforces.
Bonnie Willy, Executive Director of K-14 Initiatives, said, “As a program, this year we received full re-indorsement from CELL. We were also selected to be one of only four Early College mentor schools (statewide) for an IDOE grant funded program entitled Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN). Muncie Central Early College will be partnered with three schools that are in the process of applying for CELL endorsement, to provide them with guidance and leadership in establishing their Early Colleges. For the past eight years, Khalid Reichard has worked with the students at Muncie Central and will continue to do so. Reichard serves as the Coordinator for Academic Advancement and K-14 Initiatives.”
To learn more about the Early College partnership between Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County and area schools, email askmuncie@ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree.
