Purdue Global, Ivy Tech sign new Pathways Partnership agreement

Agreement enhances the strong partnership by providing Ivy Tech associate degree pathways to all Purdue Global bachelor’s degrees

INDIANAPOLIS – Leaders from Purdue Global and Ivy Tech Community College want to provide more access to higher education and degrees for the 350,000 Indiana workers who have some college credit but no degree and 2 million working-age Hoosiers overall who have no postsecondary credentials.

To help meet that challenge, leaders from the two schools on Monday (June 12) announced their new Pathways Partnership during an event at Ivy Tech’s main Indianapolis campus.

The agreement strengthens a longstanding and ever-growing partnership between the two schools, creates more opportunities, and provides scholarships and support for students to complete a higher education degree.

​​Under the Pathways Partnership, Purdue Global will accept unrestricted transfer and stackability of students’ Ivy Tech associate degrees and credits toward a Purdue Global bachelor’s degree. Purdue Global will work with those students to maximize their credit for prior learning, including competencies gained in the workplace and Ivy Tech prior learning credits. Students who have completed an Ivy Tech associate degree will be awarded an Ivy Tech Achievement Scholarship for most Purdue Global programs. 

“Together, Ivy Tech and Purdue Global have created pathways to jobs and careers that are preparing the next-generation workforce for lifelong success, beginning with a world-class education,” said Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann. “Through this partnership, current Ivy Tech students have assurance that their associate degree will seamlessly transfer to a high-quality, affordable online bachelor’s degree at Purdue Global.”

Purdue Global Chancellor Frank Dooley (middle) and Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann (right) talk with Matthew Pittman of Ivy Tech after signing the Pathways Partnership agreement on June 12 in Indianapolis. (Purdue Global photo/Rebecca Robinos) Download image

Purdue Global Chancellor Frank Dooley said the partnership is a great fit for the two schools, especially given Purdue Global’s position as Purdue’s online university for working adults. Purdue Global is expanding the sense of community for those learning online with additional student life activities, community volunteering, student engagement platforms, and dedicated advising and academic support.

“Purdue Global continues the supportive pathway of the Ivy Tech student experience by providing a smooth transition from associate to bachelor’s degree programs,” Dooley said. “We have a dedicated team for working with Ivy Tech and its students, and we are continuing to expand our strong partnership in many ways. It is so heartwarming to see Ivy Tech students when they cross the graduation stage to receive their bachelor’s degree.”

Purdue Global Provost Jon Harbor said one of the most exciting features of the Pathways Partnership is the Ivy Tech Achievement Scholarship, which will provide financial support for students who complete an associate degree at Ivy Tech as they continue their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Ivy Tech employees are also eligible to receive a tuition incentive at Purdue Global. 

“The partnership also includes exchange and acceptance of prior learning credit so that students may transfer their credit for prior learning between the two institutions,” Harbor said. “This is a partnership best practice that goes beyond removing barriers for students, and it was highlighted nationally by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.”

Ivy Tech Provost Dean McCurdy said the two schools have worked to enhance students' success. Both Ivy Tech and Purdue Global have received funding to successfully educate underserved and first-generation students to improve their employment and socioeconomic outcomes following graduation.

“For all the Hoosiers out there with some college credit or who have always wanted to earn a college degree, our Ivy Tech and Purdue Global Pathways Partnership provides the support and opportunities to use life experience and credits earned to accelerate the timeline and lower the cost to complete a degree,” McCurdy said.

During the past year, both schools have strengthened the partnership by formally developing pathways and stackable credentials, establishing a dedicated Ivy Tech transfer team, surveying transfer students to better determine their educational needs, providing guaranteed admissions and more. Last November Ivy Tech and Purdue Global hosted a summit exploring how to prepare the Indiana workforce for the future. 

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/. 

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The college provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. More information is available at www.ivytech.edu. 

Writer/Purdue Global media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-496-6160, oatesw@purdue.edu; @mo_oates

Ivy Tech Community College media contact: Jennifer Hashem, jhashem1@ivytech.edu 

Sources: Frank Dooley, Sue Ellspermann, Jon Harbor and Dean McCurdy