Gary – A press conference will be held on, Monday, July 17, 2006 at 1:00pm at the Gary Campus of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, located at 1440 E. 35th Ave. Ivy Tech Northwest and Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) will announce and sign an articulation agreement that will allow Ivy Tech graduates to seamlessly transfer to IWU to continue on with bachelor’s degree studies, entering as fully credited juniors.

This agreement improves the long-term relationship between these institutions and initiates a new program entitled LEAP Ahead. The LEAP Ahead program, designed to “Meet you where you are at and take you where you want to be,” allows Ivy Tech graduates to transfer all credits for 100-level or higher courses, with a grade of C or better, toward a bachelor’s degree at IWU.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Ivy Tech students to take advantage of programs at IWU” said Dr. Debbie Halik, academic dean of Ivy Tech Northwest. “This partnership is a great example of how institutions of higher education, by working together, can make strides in improving educational opportunities for students throughout the state of Indiana.”

Two high-touch initiatives will aid in building this new program in northwest Indiana. Representatives from IWU will be visiting Ivy Tech students in their classrooms to explain and enhance the partnership. In addition, Indiana Wesleyan University is scheduled to open a new educational center in Merrillville this October.

IWU has grown by more than 200 percent since 1990 to educate more than 11,400 students this year, 9,000 of whom are taking courses online or at educational centers in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s second largest public post-secondary institution with over 73,000 students enrolled this spring. Ivy Tech has 23 campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.