You read that headline right. Full-time and part-time staff at Notre Dame can earn an associate degree of applied science in business administration or a business administration technical certificate through Ivy Tech Community College free of charge.
That’s what Amy Walter did.
“Because of this place, I was able to graduate with my associate degree in business this past May,” she says. The former Building Services employee is now a senior office coordinator in the Office of Development. “Every day, I am so thankful to be a part of the Notre Dame family.”
The Ivy Tech program at Notre Dame is designed to be flexible. Employees go at their own pace, attending one to four courses per semester. Classes are conveniently held at Notre Dame. Ivy Tech faculty members are very supportive and act as mentors and friends. Additionally, previously completed college coursework is considered and may even transfer into the program.
“I knew I could get there,” Walter says of accomplishing her goal to complete her degree. “It was empowering, life-changing and intense.”
Carrie McCann, senior department administrative coordinator in the Office of Information Technologies, says, “The program helped prepare me for extensive work projects by teaching me the art of successfully juggling the demands of school, work and home.”
Going strong for well over 10 years, the Ivy Tech program started after the 2006 ND Voice employee engagement survey feedback indicated staff wanted more opportunities to develop their career skills. The following year, in 2007, Human Resources launched the Learning at Work Academy, which includes the Ivy Tech program as well as computer skills training, high school equivalency (general education degree), English as a New Language and workplace literacy. The Learning at Work Academy is intended to encourage the professional growth and career advancement of staff.
University leadership sees the education opportunities as an investment in its employees.
“Staff asked for opportunities to obtain training and to advance their careers at Notre Dame. We have a workforce dedicated to the University. This program is a win-win for employees and Notre Dame as a whole,” explains Susan Hurley, a learning consultant in HR who coordinates the program.
One hundred and thirty employees have successfully completed the Ivy Tech program. Some graduates have gone on to achieve their bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Those interested in the Ivy Tech program are encouraged to attend an information session from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, in W106 Duncan Student Center. To RSVP or to ask questions, contact AskHR at askhr@nd.edu or 1-5900.
ABOVE PHOTO: Pictured left to right are 2019 Ivy Tech program graduates Elizabeth Bryant, Jamie Boling, Carmela Cantu, Karlo Corpuz, Jane Nielson, Helen Rajkumar, Amy Walter, Stephen Weaver and Aaron Wood (*Not Pictured: Jacqueline Lopez-Erickson and Paul Weikel)