Ivy Tech Community College- Northwest will celebrate Plazas Communitarias 5th Anniversary, and honor seven students on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at noon at the East Chicago Campus, 410 East Columbus Drive.

Plazas Comunitarias is a unique adult education program designed by the National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) through the Mexican Consulate for all Spanish speaking individuals who have not completed their primary or secondary education in their Spanish native language.

Over the past five years, Ivy Tech has provided services to over 1,100 people, and served over 108 students in the adult education program. This year seven students will be honored: Antonio Porras, Ofelia Navarro, Ana Jimenez, Miguel Cabrera, Ramon Valladolid, Maria Torres, and Jose Meraz.

Ivy Tech Community College is one of the nation’s largest statewide community college systems and the state’s second largest public post-secondary institution with more than 110,000 students enrolled annually. 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.

For more information about Plazas Communitarias, contact Iris E. Sanchez at 219.392.3600 ext. 285, or isanchez@ivytech.edu.