The Ivy Tech Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to recognize Ivy Tech Alumni. Selected through a highly competitive process, each recipient has made a lasting impact on their community and on Ivy Tech through outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.
Each year, up to 19 alumni from across the state are honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the Distinguished Alumni Celebration.
The alumni honored at this event represent the very best of what an Ivy Tech education makes possible. Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are all encouraged to submit nominations online. Learn more about the criteria and selection process before you nominate.
2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Tamara Young
Anderson
Tamara Young is an Anderson native who returned to her community to drive change for underserved populations – including development of a network called “What Does Anderson Need?” where she has driven real change in the community. Tamara has been a part-time manager for Gathering of the Queens, which provides food to the needy in Anderson. Tamara used her knowledge from Ivy Tech data analytics work to enhance data tracking, security, and data presentation to elevate the organization.
Mack Bell
Bloomington
Mack Bell is the Estimating Manager at B&L Sheet Metal and Roofing in Bloomington, overseeing project estimates for schools, state prisons, and healthcare systems throughout Indiana. Mack embodies the qualities of resilience, accountability, and responsibility – overcoming real challenges to obtain a college education and become a successful leader in his field.
Spencer Medcalf
Columbus
Spencer Medcalf graduated from the Columbus School of Nursing in 2023 who now helps patients work through recovery of substance abuse. Prior to nursing school Spencer worked in case management and as a community outreach coordinator. He also has been an expert panelist for the IU School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and worked on Project ECHO that evolved from a surge in hepatitis C cases in New Mexico.
Jamale Thacker
Evansville
Jamale Thacker is dean of the Franklin L. Hilton, M.D., School of Health Sciences at Ivy Tech. A proud alumna of Ivy Tech’s Medical Assisting program, she also holds a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Southern Indiana. With over five years of experience in the healthcare sector, Jamale brings a strong focus on patient-centered care, healthcare education, and student success.
Angela Evans
Fort Wayne
Angela Evans is a certified Microsoft educator with more than two decades of experience. She is committed to building a vibrant learning atmosphere rooted in mutual respect and collaboration, is proficient in guiding students through certification preparation, and engages in every facet of education – from curriculum design to mentoring and career preparation.
Emma Ping
Hamilton County
Emma Ping is a graduate of our inaugural nursing class at Ivy Tech Hamilton County in 2024. Before pursuing her passion for nursing, she was a special education teacher, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to helping others. Today Emma is a labor and delivery nurse in the Community Health Network. She also is the founder and president of Selah’s Grace Ministries, a nonprofit organization that provides critical support to grieving families and offers bereavement training to nursing students.
Carla Baker
Indianapolis
Carla Baker had a mechanical engineering technology degree from Purdue and was an engineer at General Motors when she sought a career change at Ivy Tech. Carla enrolled in the medical assisting program and distinguished herself as a top student, eventually earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Marion University. Today, Dr. Baker is a triage nurse at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital.
Elisa Banuelos
Kokomo
Elisa Banuelos is an “English as a New Language” (ENL) coordinator at Logansport High School and is committed to supporting people throughout the community. Elisa has dedicated her career to helping students and families who immigrate to the U.S., helping them to find resources to succeed in school and in the community. She earned an associate degree in human resources and is a servant leader in her community
Susan Foster
Lafayette
Susan Foster is the Chief Medical Office for Riggs Community Health Center in Lafayette. She earned a technical certificate and two associate of science degrees at Ivy Tech, her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Purdue Calumet, and her Master of Science and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Purdue. She has been with Riggs Community Health Center since 2015.
Adam Younkin
Lake County
Adam Younkin is a first-generation college student, receiving his bookkeeping certificate from Ivy Tech in August 2021. Adam continued his education with Ivy Tech and received three associates degrees: Accounting, Business Administration and Management, and finally in Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management in July 2024. Today, Adam is a manager of internal auditing within the retail industry.
Carson Hughes
Lawrenceburg
Carson Hughes earned his Indiana College Core credits from the Batesville campus in 2024 and was a dual enrollment student from Jac-Cen-Del High School. Carson was a wildlife enthusiast and a self-taught photographer who spent countless hours at Versailles State Park capturing the beauty of the landscape – literally taking thousands of pictures over his lifetime. Carson tragically lost his life shortly before graduation doing what he loved – photographing Versailles State Park. Today, Carson’s artwork can be found in many Indiana buildings and his masterpiece called “Breakfast Time” is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol.
Larissa Perry
Madison
Larissa Perry joined Madison Chemical in 2008 as an Executive Administrative Assistant and in 2015 became the Director of Human Resources. Today, Larissa supports Madison Chemical in numerous ways and is an advocate of the company’s vision as Senior Vice President of Human Resources. After graduating from Ivy Tech, Larissa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Indiana University.
Katie Stanley
Marion
Katie Stanley followed up her Ivy Tech graduation by earning a master’s degrees in business administration and in public management. She has traveled to Denmark to study sustainable development and to Poland to explore the country’s economic development before and after World War II. Today, Katie is an HR Manager at Cintas, where she works to foster a positive work environment and support team development.
Alan Sternberg
Muncie
Alan Sternberg earned his associate’s degree in culinary arts at Ivy Tech Muncie in 2010. Since that time, his career has skyrocketed from running a restaurant in Muncie to being an executive chef at restaurants such as Cerulean, Field Brewing, and Iozzo’s in Indianapolis. He is currently the Executive Chef at Bluebeard, a farm-to-table restaurant in Indianapolis. He was a James Beard two-time Rising Star Chef of the Year semifinalist in 2016 and 2018.
Brian Miles
Richmond
Brian Miles graduated from Ivy Tech in 2013 with a degree in Construction Technology and he quickly progressed from a controls technician to leading the automation team at Bullen Ultrasonics. He now directs the design and integration of cutting-edge automated systems and also has come full circle as an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Richmond.
Kristin Ward
Sellersburg
Kristin Ward is a graduate of Ivy Tech, Indiana University Southeast, and Spalding University. Kristin is certified as a family nurse practitioner, and she loves to learn. She is currently pursuing her DNP at Xavier University, focusing on population health leadership, and is enrolled in IU Southeast’s self-paced MBA program.
Aaron Mishler
South Bend/Elkhart
Aaron Mishler, who graduated from Ivy Tech in 2016, is a public health nurse who has set up pop-up vaccine clinics, hearing screens, lead testing for children, and works to ensure people have access to care. After graduating high school, Aaron joined the National Guard and he became a Medic, which led to his career in healthcare. Aaron now is pursuing a master’s degree from Purdue University in Public Health and is on the Elkhart City Council.
Erin McEnery
Terre Haute
Erin McEnery graduated from Ivy Tech in 2015 with her associate degree in criminal justice before continuing her education at Indiana State. While working full time at a local law firm, Erin earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2019. She graduated with a master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from Indiana State in 2023. Today, Erin is the Transitional Healthcare Facilitator at the Putnamville Correctional Facility.
Teresa Hallmen
Valparaiso
Teresa Hallmen graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, a Technical Certificate in Medical Assisting, and a Certificate in Outpatient Billing and Coding. She became the MEAS program chair in Crown Point before taking on her role as Dean of Health Sciences in Lafayette. Teresa also is Vice President for the West Central District of the American Association of Medical Assistants and on the Board of Directors of the Lafayette Chapter of Junior Achievement.