Lucy “Whitehead” Keller Hamilton County Campus Co-Chair
Lucy “Whitehead” Keller grew up on a grain and hog farm in Muncie, Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communication and a minor in Entomology. She started her professional career as Purdue University’s College of Ag, Stewardship Coordinator. In this position, she was able to build relationships with major donors and implement donor wishes once gifts were received. After two years working for Purdue, she worked for Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences doing Student and Alumni Relations. Next she worked for the National FFA Alumni Association and managed several programs including a nationwide barn renovation program, speaking at state FFA Alumni conferences, coordinating the National FFA Alumni convention, and building a recruiting campaign to grow membership. Afterward, Riley Children’s Foundation hired Lucy as their Director of Volunteer Outreach and Leadership Engagement. In this role, she managed seven regional committees and ninety-two county leaders as well as creating strategic volunteer development and engagement opportunities. While working for Riley, Lucy made connections with IU Health leadership and again was recruited to join the IU Health team as a Physician Liaison. She has served in this role since January, 2016. Lucy is a founding member of Ivy Tech’s Circle of Ivy Guiding Circle.
Stephanie Varble Sellersburg Campus Co-Chair
Stephanie Varble is Business Operations Analyst for the Corporate Real Estate Property Management and PIMO Center of Excellence with CBRE Group for the JPMorgan Chase Bank Account. She has a Bachelor of Art in Speech Communication, Indiana University Southeast. Stephanie is a highly qualified administrator, collaborator, and organizer. She supports regional managers, facility managers, and technicians with all administrative tasks and is a part of the PIMO Center of Excellence Processes Team where she develops and implements processes and procedures for the account which creates better work quality and unification. She manages multiple projects of different orientations and scope. Stephanie is affiliated with Indiana University Southeast Alumni Association as a board member and participates in Circle of Ivy philanthropy through Sellersburg. Her volunteer work includes Forget Me Not Ministries – a not for profit organization based in Romania.
Alicia Hazelwood Marion Campus
Alicia Hazelwood serves as Executive Director of Ivy+Career Link at the Marion Ivy Tech campus. A graduate of Marion High School, Alicia received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Manchester University and later completed a Master’s of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She also holds certificates in Nonprofit Executive Leadership and Fundraising Management, from the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She worked as the Executive Director of the United Way of Grant County from 2012-2022. Prior to accepting her role at UWGC, Alicia was a senior staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003-2012 in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District. Alicia has chosen to serve as a volunteer with Ivy Tech Community College because her mother is an alumni of the institution and believe everyone should have access to education. “I can remember sitting with my mom at the kitchen table. She was doing her homework while I was doing mine. I was so proud of her as an adult going back to school for a degree. I was proud of my dad for encouraging and supporting her dreams. Through her, Ivy Tech gave our family so much more than just an certified education.”
Allison Risch Columbus Campus
Allison Risch lives with her husband James and daughter Chelsea on a farm, south of Franklin, IN. Allison graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and subsequently from Ivy Tech (Lafayette) with an Associate of Science in Nursing. Allison works for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, managing a team of 26 Nurse Case Managers who support education and advocacy for members. She has been a member of Circle of Ivy Columbus for 3 years and was an inaugural recipient of the Ivy Tech Distinguished Alumnae award. She very much believes that the education she received at Ivy Tech changed the trajectory of her life and is a supporter of the mission of making higher education attainable for all.
Andrea Schwartz Lafayette Campus
Andrea Schwartz is the Dean of the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science and Associate Professor of Agriculture at Ivy Tech Community College-Lafayette. She holds a Master of Science in Agriculture and Extension Education and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education, both from Purdue University. As Dean, Andrea’s goals focus on supporting a successful team of faculty and staff while leveraging industry relationships to build a stronger workforce in the greater Lafayette area. Before being named Dean, she served Ivy Tech as Chair and Assistant Professor of the Agriculture Program. As Program Chair, Andrea fostered relationships for over 150 internship experiences across the country, increased participation in the Pathway to Purdue Agriculture Program by approximately 250%, and enhanced the College’s ties to the Indiana FFA Association by co-hosting the Annual State Convention with Purdue. Ivy Tech-Lafayette hosts one day of Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events, as well as Chapter Fun Night. Andrea resides in Carroll County with her husband and two children on a small cattle and crop farm.
Antonina Ries Columbus Campus
Antonina is a team leader who delivers high-energy discussions to students challenging and leveraging their focus and paying attention to what matters most at education and in life. With over twenty years of tenure experience at three Ivy Tech campuses Evansville, Lafayette, and Columbus she knows that excellence is a journey, not simply a destination. This perspective inspired her to teach, develop, motivate, and mentor hundreds of future Indiana workforce students.
Her mission is to amplify students’ and colleagues’ self-confidence so they can make an influential impact within their community and on the world. She brings this same dedication to her work with industry partners, as they strive to empower Indiana and achieve greater success. Antonina’s honors include being recognized as one of the 2017 Idahlynn Karre Exemplary Leadership Award Recipient at the Chair Academy. Especially inspired to help people take their careers – and themselves – to unprecedented levels and maximize their potential.
Audrey Ballard Indianapolis Campus
Audrey Ballard joined Eli Lilly November 2016 as a Consultant – Patient Tailoring and Global Strategy. Committed to serving others, Audrey has been dedicated to working in healthcare for over 20 years. Within this timeframe, Audrey has worked on an international level, held leadership positions, and most importantly, educated and developed others.
A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Ivy Tech Alumna of the Respiratory Care program, Audrey elevated her healthcare career while achieving a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health in 2002 from IUPUI, a Master of Arts in Executive Development for Public Services in 2007 from Ball State University, and a Master of Public Health in 2012 from IU School of Medicine.
Emma Ferguson Bloomington Campus
Emma Ferguson earned her Bachelor’s degree from Ball State University with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. During her time at Ball State, she was involved with multiple organizations, including a leadership role within her sorority focused on marketing, recruitment and retention of members. She earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Richmond University in London, England, where she wrote her dissertation on the impacts of social media on Millennials’ buying behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement. Emma has gained experience through her volunteer work, as well. She spent time at both the Bloomington and Muncie offices of the Indiana Small Business Development Center and currently holds a seat on the City of Bloomington Commission on Sustainability. Emma brings expertise in the areas of marketing, event planning and management, organization and community outreach.
Megan Drake Fort Wayne Campus
Megan Drake is the Development Assistant in the Resource Development office at Ivy Tech Community College in Fort Wayne and Warsaw. She attended Ball State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and Criminal Justice. Following a lifelong desire to help others, she started her career in juvenile services but transitioned into nonprofit 7 years ago. Her favorite aspect of her job is the work she has been able to do as part of Ivy Tech’s Emergency Fund Committee which allows her the opportunity to help individuals enduring unexpected hardship who truly have nowhere else to turn. As a single mother to 3 daughters, she is passionate about women’s philanthropy and empowerment.
Kaye Frataccia-Siebert Valparaiso Campus
Lake County Campus
Kaye Frataccia-Siebert is a member of the Circle of Ivy, Valparaiso Campus, and has enjoyed working to support Ivy Tech students in recent years. She spent over 20 years as a public-school educator teaching Spanish. In 2012 Kaye left public education to assume the position of Program Manager for the Around the Table project as a part of Empower Porter County. The goal of Empower Porter County’s Around the Table program was to bring families together, increase communication, and reduce at risk behaviors for children and young adults. Kaye serves her community through volunteer efforts and by serving on a variety of boards. Current and past leadership roles include Board Chair for United Way of Porter County, Campaign Co-Chair for United Way of Porter County, President of Tri Kappa IOTA Chapter in Valparaiso, President of the Memorial Opera House Foundation Board, President of the Hilltop Neighborhood House Childcare & Food Pantry, Don Quixote Scholarship Fund Board Chair, Co-Chair of the ValPLAYso Community Build park project and member of the Valparaiso Parks Foundation Board. She has received multiple community leadership awards including the United Way’s Dorothy M. Porter award for service to the community, the Art & Irene Malasto Friends and Legends Award from the Valparaiso Parks Department and the Legacy of Service Award from the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce among others. Kaye has two adult sons and four grandchildren. She enjoys friends, family, and being active in the community.
Leslie Bolser Richmond Campus
Leslie Bolser is an advocate for kids and families in the Wayne County area. She works currently as a curriculum writer and marketer, and has volunteered for many organizations since returning to the area in 2000. She currently sits on the boards of Every Child Can Read, Inc., the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and chairs the Stage One Youth Theatre committee. She has both BA and MS degrees from Indiana University-Bloomington. She lives in Richmond with her husband, Chad, and two daughters.
Nancy Rhodes Kokomo Campus
Nancy L. Rhodes is a retired registered nurse with 38 years of experience. She has an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Before retiring, Nancy was a Perioperative Nurse in the Logansport Memorial Hospital Surgery Department, Logansport, IN. She stays involved in the community by giving back and volunteering where needed. In 2017, Nancy was named Logansport Citizen of the Week by Mayor Dave Kitchel for volunteer work at Ivy Tech’s For the Love of Education. Nancy has volunteered and participated in numerous community activities. A few of those activities include being a member of Alpha Phi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Philanthropy Sorority; Mary Dykeman Guild associated thru Logansport Memorial Hospital; a member of The Circle of Ivy since its establishment in 2015 (a woman’s philanthropy group that raises funds for much needed projects at Ivy Tech); Cass County Community Foundation–serving on the Lily Scholarship selection committee and the regular scholarship committee; the Cass County Purdue Club; and is a lifetime member of the Purdue Alumni Association and a member of the John Purdue Club.
Dr. Leighann Rechtin Lawrenceburg Campus
Leighann is an executive level leader who is passionate about the development of others. Her work focuses on strategy and talent development. Leighann is a highly skilled facilitator and communicator, within the corporate, academic and nonprofit sectors. In addition to her work as a consultant, Leighann is an Assistant Vice President at Ivy Tech Community College, responsible for leading talent development efforts to ensure Ivy Tech maintains a skilled and motivated workforce to meet its talent needs and drive success. She also consults with and advises executive-level leaders to drive systemic change in strategic management of talent and is instrumental in leading the College in innovative practices. As a former full-time Communication Professor, corporate trainer, and faculty professional development director, Leighann has a significant background in communication skills and pedagogy. Leighann has led faculty professional development sessions centered on several best practices utilized in the classroom, specifically focusing on assessment, online student engagement, applied learning, strengths, and innovation. Leighann is very passionate about women in leadership – formerly serving as the president of the board of directors for the Madonna House of Northern Kentucky (a home for single mothers). She is also on the Steering Committee for the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development, and mentors women in early stages of career development. She is the Guiding Circle leader for the Lawrenceburg Ivy Tech Circle of Ivy – a women’s philanthropy organization. Additionally, she helps coordinate and present at women in business luncheons for the Dearborn County and Batesville chamber of commerce in Indiana. She is also very involved with her church, where she serves primarily as an announcement manager, along with leading small groups. Leighann currently resides in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky with her husband, their youngest son, two cats and dog. They have two young adult boys who now live outside of the home. Her family are big soccer fans and athletes, spending most of their time on or around a soccer pitch. They are also big fans of Ted Lasso and have season tickets to FCCincy soccer. Leighann really enjoys reading books and is currently involved in four book clubs. She also enjoys attending live theatre, teaching and attending Pilates Reformer classes, and all things Harry Potter.
Vickie Wallace
Terre Haute Campus
Vickie Wallace lives in Marshall, Illinois, and is married to Jeffrey Wallace. They have two adult daughters who both live in Indianapolis. She received her degree in Business Administration from Indiana State University. Upon graduating, she moved to Champaign/Urbana for several years before moving back to Marshall to raise her family. Vickie has been employed by Old National Bank for the past 20 years, serving as Private Banking officer for the past seven years.
Vickie became involved in the Ivy Tech community approximately three years ago when she visited the grand opening of the Precision Ag program on the Terre Haute Ivy Tech campus. This energized her on what is happening on the campus, right in her back yard that she had overlooked all these years.
Vickie joined Circle of Ivy shortly thereafter. Vickie has hosted a Circle of Ivy recruitment event, participates in the Foundation Campaign Committee as well. Vickie has dedicated her time to serving those in her community including City Alderman for Marshall, Illinois, City Council just winning her 3rd term, serving on the board of the Marshall Municipal Library District, serves on the Board of the Terre Haute Noon Rotary chapter, participates in Marshall 100 Women Who Care along with volunteering at the Clark County Illinois Fair for over 26 years.
