KOKOMO, Ind. – Indiana University Kokomo will partner with area employers to provide opportunities for working adults to advance their education, with a grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE).
The campus was one of three universities and one non-profit organization awarded funding through ICHE’s Adult Promise Grant program, for programs to pursue, expand, and enhance promising practices for supporting the state’s adult learners.
IU Kokomo received $24,120 to develop ongoing partnerships with industries in the region to promote ICHE’s Adult Promise financial aid opportunities among employees, providing them with advanced training in 21st century technologies and by engaging employers.
“We will examine how we can remove barriers and provide meaningful access to higher education for working adults,” said Todd Gambill, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management. “We know they don’t have the same flexibility and access that other students have, and they may need additional education to progress in their careers.
“We’re looking for ways to benefit them and their employers, which ultimately benefits our region,” he added.
Campus leaders will collaborate with area employers to see what programs IU Kokomo has that might benefit them, or what could be created specifically to meet their workforce development needs, while also giving more Hoosiers the chance to earn a college degree.
Other universities will be able to use IU Kokomo’s model when complete.
Funded by the Lumina Foundation, the grants are designed to significantly increase the number of adult Hoosiers with a postsecondary credential by developing easy-to-use resources and sharing best practices to serve adult learners.
“Focusing on Indiana’s adult learner population is critical for moving the state closer to our 2025 goal of 60 percent of Hoosiers with quality education and training beyond high school,” said Teresa Lubbers, Indiana’s Commissioner for Higher Education. “The recipients of these grants are concentrating on removing the barriers along the way for adult learners. We are pleased to see a variety of plans to engage adults, community partners, employers and industry in their work.”
Additional grants were awarded to Ivy Tech Community College, Anderson University, and the Pass the Torch for Women Foundation.
Indiana University Kokomo celebrates 75 years as north central Indiana’s choice for higher education.