John Jay partnership shifts

John Jay Center for Learning and Ivy Tech – Muncie are back together again.

The educational organizations held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Friday to formally announce the transition that went into effect July 1.

“It’s a huge win for students, for families and for our local employers,” said John Jay Center of Learning executive director Rusty Inman, noting goals to offer more opportunities and programs. “For the community, this partnership brings together the best of both worlds — that Ivy Tech statewide reach that have, but also Jay County’s local dedication.”

“We’re very happy to be back united with our friends here at Ivy Tech and the Muncie campus,” added John Jay board president Josh Atkinson, “and we continue to want to provide the opportunities for our community to meet the best needs of our community.”

John Jay was partnered with Ivy Tech – Muncie previously, but was shifted to the Marion campus about eight years ago during a statewide realignment. As a result, students who came to John Jay for services were pushed toward the Marion campus, Inman said.

The result, he noted, was stark and fast.

At one time, there were between 700 and 1,000 enrollments from John Jay to Ivy Tech – Muncie. That number dropped to fewer than 50 about a year after the transition.

“We found a lot of people stopped coming to John Jay for help because they didn’t want to go to the Marion campus,” said Inman. “They were going to the Muncie campus anyway, so they took John Jay out of the equation and just went straight to Muncie. You’ll be able to get Muncie services here again.”

Ivy Tech – Muncie chancellor Jeff Scott referenced a great relationship previously with John Jay. He noted the importance of collaboration.

“This is just as big a day for us as it is for you,” said Scott, referencing the previous high enrollment numbers. “It showed that dedication and that commitment that this community has to know what education can do for a community.”

With the renewed partnership, Inman noted various goals, including to bringing in-person classes back to John Jay. There is a push toward providing health care courses — the organization recently received funding from both the county and The Portland Foundation for that purpose — through building a health care simulation lab. That facility would be available to students pursuing certificates and taking degree classes as well as to staff from IU Health Jay.

Scott said Ivy Tech – Muncie will have a greater presence in Jay County, including having a staff member available at John Jay one day a week to assist students with their needs. There are also plans for a new computer lab and for the community college to assist with equipment purchases.

Vice chancellor and chief operating officer Emery Peck said there are many ways in which the needs of the Jay County community align with the goals of Ivy Tech – Muncie. He mentioned the possibility of offering parenting classes at Westminster Preschool Portland and the Jay County Early Learning Center, adding to industrial training opportunities and generally filling gaps to provide additional opportunities to students of all ages.

“Everything that’s already being done, there’s a small resource we can add to it that meets our needs but then also creates something nice for the community,” said Peck.

Inman said he feels the transition back to the Muncie campus will allow the Jay County community a better opportunity to connect directly with Ivy Tech’s resources while taking advantage of local support.

“We’re going to make sure people of all ages have the chance to learn new skills, take the next step in their education, but most importantly be prepared for jobs,” he said. “It’s not just two organizations working together. It’s about lifting the whole community.”

Atkinson referenced the organization’s motto — “to provide inspiration and prosperity through education” and the importance of what education can mean to a community.

“William Shakespeare said that ignorance is darkness,” he said. “I believe that. Ignorance is darkness. Education can provide that light … to shine through that darkness …”