01 October 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — It's all about momentum, and Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke plans to keep Indiana University Kokomo moving full steam ahead.

Appointed to the position on September 19, Sciame-Giesecke's 35 years of drive, commitment, and dedication to the campus will only continue as she plans to focus on the most important mission – the students.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke"We focus on the whole student; and providing outstanding educational programs and facilities, along with a memorable student life experience," she said. "I have a passion for the regional campus. Our graduates live and work in the region. Their lives are transformed by their educational opportunities at IU Kokomo."

Sciame-Giesecke began her career at IU Kokomo in 1977, as an assistant professor, and has advanced her career as a department chairwoman, dean, and vice chancellor. Most recently, she was executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and student affairs.

"Our accomplishments are the result of everyone's efforts on campus. I am blessed to work with such dedicated people."

One goal is to hire more faculty to address the recent enrollment growth of 12.1 percent for this fall semester.

"We've had so much growth; we need to add faculty," she said. "We will hire several brand-new positions, including history, health sciences, hospitality, tourism, biochemistry, and psychology. We are also leading the way in online education, with 11 faculty members currently developing new online courses."

Sciame-Giesecke anticipates adding more new degree programs, including the Bachelor of Applied Science.

Another important need on campus includes upgrades to the Main Building, built in 1965 and only minimally updated since then, which houses a large majority of classroom space. She also looks forward to the grand opening of the new wellness and fitness center next fall.

"This (Main Building) is a crisis-stage building," Sciame-Giesecke said. "The math labs, in particular, must be updated to current standards and to meet the needs of a much larger student population than we had when it was built. We are asking for support from the state Legislature to renovate and upgrade the Main Building."

In addition, she will continue providing economic leadership in the community.

"Transforming the region is a critical regional campus mission," she said. "We have been at this work, and that will not change."

Sciame-Giesecke helped facilitate the merger of nine economic development organizations in Kokomo into the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, and serves on that organization's board. She also led the Regional Leadership Institute initiative.

She will present her most recently published paper, on how to create a regional mindset, at the University Economic Development Association annual summit October 21-24 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

During her career, Sciame-Giesecke created the Center for Teaching and Learning, led the campus to a 10-year reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, created a year-long freshman learning program, created an Office for Online Education, facilitated creation of a digital media lab in the library and a Mac lab in the main building, and implemented the Center for Research and Creative Activity to support an undergraduate research initiative. Currently, she is vice president of the Family Service Association of Howard County, a nonprofit that houses a domestic violence shelter and homeless veterans' housing complex.

With the high quality of faculty and staff committed to the mission of the campus, Sciame-Giesecke knows that IU Kokomo will continue to be a leader in higher education.

"We will continue to do remarkable things. The IU Kokomo community has been successful, and we will continue to be successful," she said. "When you put good people in place, good things happen."

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

28 September 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. - Indiana University Kokomo invites you to join the Cougar Women's Volleyball team on Tuesday, October 2, for the Breast Cancer Awareness match. The first 100 fans will receive a free, pink IU Kokomo T-shirt.

Cougars celebrate during last years Breast Cancer Awareness match.

The Cougars will play Anderson University at 7 p.m. at the Maple Crest Middle School gym.

Before and throughout the game, there will be information on ways to donate to help find a cure. The Medical Imaging Club will also have giveaways at the game.

The event is co-sponsored by the volleyball team, the Student Athletic and Wellness Board, and the Medical Imaging Club.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

27 September 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — The path to a college degree may seem confusing to an incoming student. Indiana University Kokomo offers students a clear map to guide them through the planning process, where students can direct their courses of study to graduate in four years.

See more students excited about graduating in four years.The campus kicked off its "Complete In 4" initiative this fall semester, presenting each student with a "Class of 2016" button to wear as a reminder. Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke said while campus leaders understand some students will take longer to graduate because of work and family obligations, they want students to plan ahead and make graduating in four years a priority.

"We want to make it clear to students it is both doable and in their best interests to graduate in four years," she said.

Sciame-Giesecke then led the new students through the campus undergraduate pledge, which says they will graduate by becoming involved in activities, reaching out to faculty, asking questions when they need help, disciplining themselves to make college a priority, using campus resources, attending every class, talking to their advisors regularly, and engaging in class discussions and activities.

Returning students also received graduation year buttons, while faculty and staff have ones that read, "What year will you graduate?" to remind students of the goal.

In addition to the pins, students can pick up cards with QR codes to access degree maps, showing specific classes they can take each semester in order to graduate in four years. The degree maps are also available on the campus website, www.iuk.edu.

Degree maps were created to make it easy for students to know exactly what classes they need to complete a degree in four years. Amanda Smith, who plans to graduate with a degree in psychology in 2013, developed a degree map with her advisor.

"Planning ahead has made scheduling my classes on time in order to graduate in four years much easier," she said. "These new resources make it seem less overwhelming. It helps you know you can achieve your goal. I'm excited to be so close to being done."

She encouraged all students to meet with their advisors to develop their own custom degree maps, so they know when classes are offered and can take them when they are available.

"The whole purpose is to remind students that while we love them dearly, we'd also love to see them graduate," said Kathy Parkison, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. "The longer it takes a student to graduate, the more student load debt he or she accumulates and the less likely they are to earn a degree. We want them to graduate and move on with successful lives."

Complete In 4 is funded by a $30,000 grant from Complete College America, a national nonprofit organization that works with states to increase college completion. The grant will be used for student advising resources, course mapping software and development of three-year degree programs in education and business.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.

26 September 2012

KOKOMO, Ind. — Cheers echoed throughout the lower level of the Indiana University Kokomo Library as more than 250 students, faculty, and staff gathered to watch students push down the wall to the "rock room" to break ground for the construction of the Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke and Students pose for a picture to commemorate the beginning of construction. See more pictures here."This is the start of something great," said Cameron Richardson, a Cougar basketball player. "The wellness center is going to be a great asset for the students. It gives students and athletes a place to get healthy together, while meeting people and building friendships. I'm so excited I got to be part of its beginning."

Students, including athletes representing the cross country, basketball, and volleyball teams, student government leaders, and some chosen by raffle, opened the wall separating two sections of unused space, which will open in the fall of 2013 as a state-of-the-art wellness and fitness facility.

Interim Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke said it was important to her to have students involved in the ceremony.

"This is going to be your facility, where you can network, make connections, and get healthier," she said. "That is why I wanted students to be here today, and why I want you here when we cut the ribbon and open the new center. You are going to have a world-class fitness facility."

Sophomore Elizabeth Wallace was excited when Sciame-Giesecke called out her ticket number, which allowed her to step behind the yellow caution tape line, don a hard hat, and give a pre-cut section of wall a hard shove to knock it down.

"I'm going to be so happy to work out on campus," Wallace said. "It will make this campus even better than it already is, because we will be able to fit in our exercise between classes, and not have to drive to another fitness center."

Rachael Williams, representing the volleyball team, said she and her teammates would be thrilled to train and condition on campus next season.

"It's going to be great to all the sports, so we don't have to work out at other places," she said. "It makes us more a part of the campus when we can exercise here with the other students."

The Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center will be a 20,500 square-foot facility, in the ground floor of the library. Amenities include a jogging and walking track, cardio and strength training area, two multipurpose rooms, a health studies classroom, locker rooms, and a reception area.

Penny Lee, vice chancellor for public affairs and advancement, said campus officials have raised about $1.6 million of the $2.5 million for the center. Its name honors the Cole family of Logansport, who gave $1.25 million, the largest cash gift in campus history.

Lee also recognized Diana Tenbrook, who is leading the Inspire Power fund raising campaign for the center. She also represents Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union, which donated for naming rights to a locker room. Kevin Love represented Security Federal Credit Union, a donor for naming rights to the first aid station.

"These people are giving for this center because they believe in you, every one of you, and what you mean to our region," Lee said. "They believe in you and in this campus."

For more information about the Milt and Jean Cole Family Wellness and Fitness Center, the fundraising campaign and tax benefits of giving, go to http://www.iuk.edu/wellnessfitnesscenter, or contact Lee at 765-455-9485 or pennlee@iuk.edu.

Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.