Circle of Ivy Proposal Voting – 2025

In a record-breaking year, ASAP is welcoming 25 students eager to begin their journey at Ivy Tech Columbus. A cornerstone of ASAP’s success is the enrichment opportunities provided for the cohort. However, with such strong enrollment, transportation has emerged as a significant barrier. Several students lack access to reliable transportation or do not yet have their driver’s license. Without this vital resource, we face challenges in fully engaging with the community, participating in service-learning activities, and offering the team-building experiences that make ASAP impactful. An approximate bus trip quoted this year was $500, this would allow us 3 trips.

Ivy Cares would like to offer Thanksgiving food baskets to 40 students. Baskets will include a ham, turkey, or other vegan/vegetarian meat option, sides, a dessert, eggs, milk, and oil.

“I had no idea this was here!” “I just found out about the food pantry!” “My advisor just told me about the loaner laptop program!” These are all things we’ve heard students say as they learn about the support available to them through the Ivy CARES program. This program offers emergency aid funds, food and mental health support, as well as technology assistance. However, it’s also a place for students to come when they have issues that don’t fall into one of those categories. Many times students can be directed to another area within the college for a solution to the problem standing in the way of academic success. At other times, they can be pointed to community resources. In an effort to increase student awareness, I am requesting funds for Ivy CARES promotional items. A reusable cloth tablecloth with the Ivy CARES logo to be displayed at events. And small items related to Ivy CARES, such as a stress ball, hand sanitizer, lip balm, etc. could be attached to students backpacks with the logo and contact information.

We are honored to submit this request for $250 to cover the cost of cords and stoles for the inaugural graduating class of the Johnson County Advanced Manufacturing program. This milestone group of students, representing Greenwood, Whiteland, and Center Grove High Schools, has demonstrated remarkable commitment to their education and future careers. While completing their high school diplomas, these students also enrolled in dual credit courses at Ivy Tech’s Franklin location, pursuing coursework toward the Industrial Technology AAS degree. In addition to their academic achievements, students engaged in meaningful work-based learning experiences through internships at leading industry partners, including Endress+Hauser, NSK, and KYB. Their dedication to balancing high school, college coursework, and professional internships highlights their perseverance, discipline, and readiness to contribute to Indiana’s advanced manufacturing workforce. Providing cords and stoles to these graduates will symbolize the extraordinary effort they have invested in achieving this accomplishment. It will also serve as a visible recognition of their success and inspire future cohorts to follow in their footsteps.

The Visual Communications Program is committed to providing students with the resources, tools, and environments necessary to foster creativity, collaboration, and professional development. A critical component of the design process is the ability to present, display, and critique work in a shared studio setting. To meet this need, we propose the installation of felt walls in the Mac and Print Labs, creating a dedicated space for presentation, critique, and visual dialogue. Critique is at the core of the visual design learning process. Students must regularly share their work in progress, receive feedback, and refine their ideas. Currently, the Mac and Print Labs lack a functional display surface where students can post, organize, and present their designs. Felt walls would provide an adaptable, durable, and visually clean surface that transforms the lab into a more professional design studio environment. Felt walls would: Support active critique sessions by allowing quick pin-up and reorganization of work. Encourage collaboration by providing a central, shared space for group discussion. Enhance student engagement by making design work more visible and accessible to peers and faculty. Replicate industry practice by mirroring the studio-style presentation methods used in professional creative agencies.

A keystone of the success of our Columbus Surgical Technology students is our ability to provide hands-on examples of surgical instruments they need to learn. With this, they are not learning from a picture but from the actual in-the-palm-of-their-hand item itself to help aid in the student's retention, as well as, understanding of how the different instruments and their various parts work. This all helps our students to become as well rounded as possible and ready for the challenges of the real world in surgery. We have a long list of items that we do not have and are working towards closing the gap to put more items in our students hands. With this, we are requesting funds for the following items, all purchased from Medline Medical Supplier: Blair Cleft Pallet Elevator $220 Somer Uterine Elevator $234 McDougal Prostatectomy Clamp $350 If the entire amount requested is not available, any part of the requested amount will be put towards purchasing the above listed instruments and is greatly appreciated.

In 2026 we will be hosting our annual Comic-Con. Or tiny event started out with five vendors and fifty guests, and this last year saw us grow to over forty vendors and have eight hundred guests from the community walk into Ivy Tech. We've changed our name from "University Library of Columbus Comic-Con" to Bartholomew County Comic-Con because this has been proven to be a community event. This event has quickly become an innovative way for us at Ivy Tech to bring the community into our building and show them our facilities and degree programs. We host local art and artisans, some of whom are current or former Ivy Tech students, and give them the opportunity to showcase their work. As the years go one this has the potential to become a huge annual event for our campus.

Our IT Support program was recently awarded with ABET accreditation. There is an opportunity to purchase badges for students to share on social media and in their LinkedIn profiles that shows they graduated from an ABET accredited program. Many companies specifically look for student graduating from ABET programs, so this will give them a little boost when searching for jobs and interacting with potential employers. If students wanted to purchase the badge on their own, it is $25 each and the likelihood of them doing so is very small. These badges would work for any of our ABET accredited programs, IT Support, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Engineering Technology.

We would like to provide funding for additional NCLEX preparation for our ASN and PN students. Currently, we are limited to providing the NCLEX prep products on the Ivy Tech approved booklist. We use the ATI resources to the fullest extent, but find that there is additional preparation that needs to take place beyond ATI. We would use these funds to provide each graduate in December 2025 and May 2026 with an additional NCLEX resource. The resource will include a quizzing bank with questions that are similar to what they will see on NCLEX, as well as on-demand videos focused on high-yield subjects. The final semester is costly for our students. They pay nearly $300 in fees to apply for their nursing license and to take NCLEX. If a student is unsuccessful at NCLEX, they must pay the same fees to test again. This is in addition to tuition, books, fees, and commencement/pinning costs. Helping them with the cost of NCLEX prep will increase their confidence and success rate on NCLEX and help provide valuable licensed nurses to our communities.

With the upcoming closure of the Ivy Tech Columbus campus bookstore, our students will lose their only dedicated space to purchase branded merchandise and spirit wear. This change creates a significant gap—not just in access to gear, but in opportunities to foster pride, belonging, and community identity. To address this, we propose installing a branded vending machine—The Spirit Spot—stocked with Ivy Tech t-shirts, hoodies, lanyards, water bottles, and other promotional items. This self-serve solution offers a modern, accessible, and engaging way for students, faculty, and visitors to connect with our campus culture. The goals of The Spirit Spot are to restore access to spirit wear, foster belonging and pride, and provide a modern campus amenity to replace the departing book store. The machine will be an apparel-friendly vending unit with adjustable shelving and secure payment system, removing the need for staff to conduct sales or handle transactions. Placement options for the unit would be in the student commons or near the main entry. Stocking would be managed by the campus marketing department with a strategy of rotating inventory based on seasons, events, and student feedback. Merchandise can be purchased with revenue of sales from the machine. A portion of the sales could be directed to the Ivy Tech Foundation for student support. The bookstore closure leaves a void in campus identity and convenience. A vending machine offers a low-overhead, high-impact solution.

We have had success in the past offering snacks and activities in our Learning Resource Center to encourage students (and even whole classes) to come over to our campus tutoring area the week before final exams. Students have discovered ways to connect with other students and our tutors, which has encouraged them to seek support before final exams. Faculty have brought their classes and enjoyed some fun as well. Once students have connected with our tutors, they keep coming back, so this investment continues to support students in future semesters as well.

A makerspace provides access to creative tools and resources to be used in a designated space. The Ivy Tech Lafayette Gipe Hall Library requests the Circle of Ivy's support to pilot the makerspace concept on our campus by providing a variety of craft supplies for student use in creating visual projects / presentations. Materials needed are craft paper, Cricut machine, Vinyl Craft Sheets, Glue, Poster Boards, Markers, a Sewing Machine, Sewing Supplies, and Materials.

Students need functional devices (laptops/iPads) to access eBooks, resource materials and testing activities. The purpose would be to provide devices to be managed by the IvyCares program with priority given to nursing students with short term needs.

As high school students work to complete pathways in career and technical education, they often run into courses that cannot be offered in the high school for various reasons but are necessary to them earning the Ivy Tech credential. Some high schools are able to cover tuition costs for students to take these courses online or on campus, but many are not. Many times, completing this credential could make a significant impact in the student's employability, and therefore the trajectory of their life. This fund would support students who are only one course away from completing an Ivy Tech credential to be able to do so. Preference will begiven to those whose completion would greatly impact the trajectory of their lives or is a critical credential for the area workforce needs.

The Ivy Achieves program is designed to support first-year, first-time students to complete the eight Ivy Achieves habits, which are critical to navigating college life successfully and reaching their full academic and personal potential. We are seeking funding to support end-of-semester celebrations (fall and spring) for our Ivy Achieves students at the Lafayette campus. These events will provide encouragement and recognition as they complete their success habits. Currently, the Lafayette campus has 613 Ivy Achieves students. While they work diligently throughout the semester, it is important to celebrate their progress and achievements in order to build momentum and foster a sense of belonging on campus. We are requesting funding to host two student recognition events this year: -Fall Semester Celebration: Coffee and Donut Bar -Spring Semester Celebration: Pizza and Dessert Party Both events will be open to all Ivy Achieves students on the Lafayette campus. Our goal is to use these celebrations to increase student motivation and persistence in the Ivy Achieves program as well as to strengthen a sense of community and belonging among the first-year students. By investing in these celebrations, you will not only recognize students’ accomplishments but will also reinforce the foundation for their continued success at Ivy Tech. These events will serve as meaningful reminders that hard work and persistence are reasons to be celebrated!

The Student Affairs Department at Ivy Tech Community College – Lafayette is committed to reducing barriers that prevent students from persisting and succeeding academically. Many of our students face basic needs insecurities that directly impact classroom attendance, academic performance, and overall well-being. To address these challenges, we are requesting funding support to strengthen barrier reduction initiatives, with a focus on food insecurity and access to feminine hygiene products.

When students take classes, especially in the Technology area, in School of AMEAS, there are often times very high fees associated with the Tech classes. Many of our students use the Work Force Ready Grant or the Pell Grant. Fees are typically not covered. I propose, if not already being covered, that we help provide coverage for payment of these fees. Possibly we can cover10 scholarships for Work Force Ready Finishing Fees at $300 each.

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary. Within my classes of Earth Science, I would like to create a Service-Learning Project (SLP) for the community. This SLP will allow students to create activity pages to build a booklet for individuals to learn about America, our Independence, and to celebrate the Anniversary. Once individuals complete their booklet, they will be able to earn a pin commemorating the 250th Anniversary. The pin will also be designed as part of the SLP and will be made locally.

Ivy Tech Lawrenceburg would like to purchase 15 copies of FA Davis Student Clinical Simulation Books. This text is a companion for current simulations being utilized in the Lawrenceburg Simulation lab. It includes 51 structured case studies simulate the wide range of patient care challenges encountered in practice. These scenarios help develop the critical assessment, clinical reasoning, and nursing skills needed to deliver safe and competent care. This books will become a permanent part of the Simulation Equipment that will be utilized by students in future cohort, reducing costs for students as the navigate their nursing education journey.

The School of IT has been utilizing the general-use computer lab in Lakefront Building 2145 for several years. We've utilized it so often that we are not the only classes using this room. We want to assume responsibility for this classroom so we can better manage it to meet the specific needs of the IT students, and to free up the Office of IT team to focus on their other duties. We would like to assume the lease of the current computers and pay the difference to bring them up to the necessary specifications for our students. The cost for doing so is approximately 150 dollars per PC. The room currently has 15 PCs.

We are repurposing the old library space into a student life center. We have moved some comfortable furniture into the area and would like to finish it off with a TV and gaming table.

Students have shared that our Riverfront campus currently feels more like a courthouse than a college. This project will transform the campus by installing vibrant artwork featuring Ivy Tech students from Lawrenceburg in action, highlighting student engagement, campus life, and academic excellence. By visually celebrating student experiences, this project will: • Make the campus feel welcoming and college-like • Encourage student involvement and pride • Serve as a recruitment tool for prospective students Project Details & Impact: • Updated Artwork: 15 high-quality canvases featuring students in classrooms, labs, and campus activities. • Student Representation: Show diversity across programs and student experiences. • Strategic Placement: Install artwork in hallways, student lounges, and admissions areas to create a vibrant, college-like atmosphere. (Ext. Students in action in our nursing program, will be hung on the 5th floor). • Recruitment Tool: Use images in marketing materials, social media, and campus tours. • Campus Culture: Foster school pride and engagement by highlighting real student experiences. By addressing student feedback that the campus feels outdated, this project will bring life, energy, and school pride to Riverfront. Authentic student visuals will create a more engaging environment, encourage involvement, and make Ivy Tech feel like the vibrant college our students deserve.

As the new Chair of the Design Program, I’ve begun assessing the current state of our facilities and how they align with our program goals and student expectations. During a recent onboarding visit to a local high school, I was both impressed and somewhat embarrassed to discover that their design lab and equipment are significantly more modern and well-equipped than what we currently offer at the college level. This experience was eye-opening. It made it clear why incoming students—especially those from schools like Batesville—are often underwhelmed by our lab. If we want to inspire and retain talented students, we must offer facilities that reflect the quality and seriousness of our program. As an initial step toward improving our lab, I am requesting the purchase of a Bambu Lab P1S 3D Printer. This printer offers high-speed, high-precision printing capabilities and supports a variety of materials, making it ideal for both classroom demonstrations and student projects. It would immediately enhance our lab’s capabilities and allow us to incorporate hands-on prototyping and design into our curriculum. Beyond its technical capabilities, having this modern 3D printer would signal to students that we are committed to maintaining relevant, up-to-date tools in our lab. Requesting $900 to fund this 3d Printer and needed consumables allowing us to be able to print without delay. https://us.store.bambulab.com/

Provides funding for 10 therapy sessions per month at the University of Evansville Mental Health Clinic, ensuring students have access to affordable mental health care.

Trains and certifies up to 30 Ivy Tech employees (with priority for faculty) in Mental Health First Aid to better recognize and respond to student mental health needs.

Installs an iPad Air in the Enrollment Center to help students complete identity verification steps required for admission and financial aid.

Expands the IvyStyle professional clothing closet with a new front-facing location, display fixtures, and events like a fashion show to reach more students.

Launches the new campus mascot with a student-designed character, a reveal celebration, and branded T-shirts to build campus spirit and pride.

Provides weekly reheatable meals (individual or family-sized) from local vendors, distributed on campus to support students facing food insecurity.

Supplies branded apparel (hoodies) to foster identity, pride, and recruitment for the IMPACCT Ivy Scholars program.

Nursing students experience intense academic pressure, particularly surrounding high-stakes exams. Test anxiety can interfere with performance, concentration, and long-term retention. This project will offer 1-year and 3-month Headspace gift card subscriptions to nursing students. This project offers a practical, evidence-based solution: providing students with Headspace app subscriptions to help them build mindfulness skills that enhance focus, emotional regulation, and resilience. By integrating accessible, structured mindfulness practices, students will develop strategies to manage stress during preparation, testing, and clinical learning — habits that will continue to support them throughout their nursing careers. Distribution: 20 students will receive a 1-year Headspace subscription ($69.99 each) , prioritized for graduating or high-risk students. 20 students will receive a 3-month Headspace subscription ($38.99 each), open to all students by application or nomination.This project addresses a critical barrier to nursing student success: test anxiety. By providing students with an evidence-based mindfulness resource, we empower them to better manage stress, enhance focus, and build resilience. This initiative not only supports academic performance but also prepares students to thrive in the high-pressure environments they will face throughout their nursing careers.

Hello, I teach VISC 124 - Publication Design II at the Sellersburg campus. Among many design topics this 16-week fall semester, my students will be interviewing students and staff on the Sellersburg campus to uncover leads to interesting stories. Along with effective publication design, they will learn about interviewing etiquette, writing compelling stories, and capturing great editorial photographs that matter to campus readers. We will be working together to produce a 24-page publication, where they will experience first-hand, the real-life, fast-paced field of publication design and publishing. I have arranged a field trip in November to tour a print shop where they can learn about printing processes, see their work on-press and experience a press check. I am requesting funds from Circle of Ivy for printing, so the students can not only have a nice tangible portfolio piece, but take pride in producing work they can share with fellow students and staff. (Think, human interest, professional advice, movie/restaurant reviews, and opinion articles) You can imagine the level of student accountability knowing the entire school will be viewing your work! These are talented students and I have high expectations for a quality, creative magazine. The amount needed for printing (QTY 50) is $974.27, or we can double our order (QTY 100) for just $201.23 more.

The Thoughtful Tuesday events, hosted in collaboration with Ivy Cares, are designed to promote student engagement, wellness, and connection. By combining meaningful discussions on financial literacy, stress management, and mental health with social interaction, food, and giveaways, these events create a supportive and welcoming environment for students. The goal is to provide both practical resources and opportunities for students to build community, reduce stress, and feel supported throughout their academic journey.

The Visual Communications Program is seeking funding to purchase professional-grade studio lighting and photography equipment. This will improve hands-on learning for both Photography and Graphic Design students. The investment ensures that students can utilize the same tools found in the industry, helping them develop technical skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and portfolios ready for the job market. Photography students will gain experience in studio lighting, portraiture, and commercial photography, while Graphic Design students will use the equipment to professionally photograph the packaging and product designs they create. By incorporating professional photography into the design process, students will be able to present their work in a polished, real-world format that enhances their portfolios and prepares them for their careers.

Winston’s Wellness Bags are named in honor of Ivy Tech Community College’s mental health ambassador and therapy dog, Winston. As a beloved campus figure, Winston symbolizes comfort, support, and the importance of caring for one’s mental health. These bags extend that same spirit by providing students with simple tools for self-care, reflection, and stress relief. Designed for distribution at wellness events and to first-time counseling clients, Winston’s Wellness Bags reinforce the message that no student is alone in their journey toward balance and well-being.

The holidays should be a season of joy, not added stress. Many Ivy Tech students are balancing academics, jobs, families, and financial hardships. The Angel Tree program ensures their children experience the magic of the season by providing gifts and necessities that students might not otherwise be able to afford. Program Overview: The Angel Tree is a campus-wide initiative where students in need anonymously submit wish lists for their children. Community members, faculty, staff, and local partners “adopt” these angels, fulfilling their requests and ensuring every child has gifts to open during the holidays. Funding Request: We are seeking $3,000 to support the 2025 Angel Tree program. These funds will: Purchase gifts for children not adopted through the tree. Cover program logistics (wrapping supplies, decorations, and volunteer coordination).Estimated Budget: Gifts for 75 children @ approx. $35 each = $2,625 Wrapping supplies, decorations, logistics = $375 Total = $3,000 Impact: 75+ children will receive holiday gifts, creating joyful memories and reducing financial stress for student parents. Student retention improves when families feel supported during critical times. Builds stronger community connections between Ivy Tech, local partners, and students. Sustainability: The Angel Tree program is part of Ivy Cares’ annual holiday support tradition. Your contribution ensures no child is left out this year, and your partnership demonstrates a commitment to student well being.

Thanksgiving should be a time of connection, gratitude, and nourishment. For many Ivy Tech students, however, financial hardship makes it difficult to provide a traditional holiday meal for their families. With tuition, housing, childcare, and basic living expenses already weighing heavily, the cost of a full Thanksgiving dinner can feel out of reach. The Heartfelt Harvest program steps in to bridge that gap by providing complete meal kits to student families in need. Each kit includes a turkey, side dishes, and dessert, giving families the chance to gather around the table and share in the holiday tradition without added financial stress. By supporting Heartfelt Harvest, donors not only help put food on the table, they also: Strengthen family bonds during a season centered on togetherness, Reduce student stress, improving focus and retention Foster a stronger sense of community and belonging Demonstrate care for the whole student, beyond the classroom Investing in Heartfelt Harvest is an investment in student success, stability, and the dignity of family traditions.

Purpose: College students juggle academics, work, and personal responsibilities, often while battling stress, anxiety, or sensory overload. For neurodiverse students, or those coping with trauma and mental health challenges, campus life can feel overwhelming. A Sensory Room creates a safe, calming space designed to reduce stress and promote emotional regulation. This resource allows students to step away, decompress, and return more focused, calm, and prepared for success. Program Overview: The Sensory Room will be a designated space on campus equipped with calming tools, soft furnishings, and sensory supports. It will be available to all students, with particular benefit for those with sensory processing challenges or heightened anxiety. Key Features: Relaxation Zone: beanbag chairs, soft lighting, and comfortable seating. Sensory Tools: fidgets, textured items, kinetic sand, stress balls. Calming Atmosphere: noise-canceling headphones, sound machine, color-changing lamps. Mindfulness Supports: breathing guides, journals, and meditation resources. Budget (Estimated $3,000). Furniture (beanbags, seating, small tables): $1,000. Sensory tools (fidgets, tactile objects, stress relief items): $600. Lighting and sound machines: $700. Weighted blankets and comfort items: $400. Décor, signage, and setup: $300 Total = $3,000. Impact: Provides a safe, inclusive resource for neurodiverse students and those managing stress, trauma, or anxiety. Improves focus and emotional regulation.