A decade ago, the Henry County community recognized the need for more local higher education classes.
Several organizations and philanthropic families worked to find Ivy Tech Community College a permanent home in New Castle.
Ivy Tech’s initial focus was to build a pipeline of nurses and medical professionals to fill the growing local need. One of the ways the college has achieved this was through its relationships with Henry County high schools.
Logan Beard, a nursing student at Ivy Tech in New Castle, started taking college classes while she was still in high school.
“While in high school at Tri Junior Senior High School during the 2020-2021 school year, I was offered the opportunity to take my prerequisite college classes at Ivy Tech Community College for free,” Beard said. “During the 2020-2021 school year, I completed all of my college prerequisite classes through Ivy Tech Community College and graduated from Ivy Tech with an associate’s degree in general studies.”
Beard left Tri High with her high school diploma and Ivy Tech degree. She enrolled in the Indiana University East nursing program and started classes as a college sophomore.
During her junior year, Beard realized the IU East nursing program was bigger and more expensive than what she was looking for.
“I did weeks of research trying to find a college that was smaller and more affordable,” she said.
The answer was her alma mater: Ivy Tech.
“The staff was super kind, understanding and helpful when I was in high school,” she said. “My only worry was getting my (IU East) college transcript back to Ivy Tech. The staff in the office was super helpful. They talked me through each step I needed to take to get my transcript over to Ivy Tech and into their system. Any questions I had, they always had or found the answer for me.”
Beard submitted her application in August 2023 for Ivy Tech’s nursing program in New Castle. She was accepted into the program in October 2023 during the first round of selections and started Ivy Tech’s nursing program in January.
“Since the first day of classes, the staff, my teachers and my classmates have been my number one support system,” Beard said. “They offer free tutoring, one-on-one teaching, financial assistance, scholarships, mental health services, free workshops, counseling, free supplies if needed and so many more support services.”
I wish I would’ve stayed at Ivy Tech after I graduated high school. If I had to explain my college experience to the community, I would tell everyone that is looking for a higher education to go to Ivy Tech! It has been my biggest blessing since the day I started!
– Logan Beard
Beard is excited that she will become a Registered Nurse in a year and a half because of Ivy Tech’s accelerated programs. She will have her associate’s degree of nursing science in May 2025.
“The nursing program is setting me up for success in my future,” Beard said. “The teachers thoroughly teach each skill, concept and real-life situations I will endure as a nurse in the future and will need to know to pass the Next Generation NCLEX after I graduate.”
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) has been a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States since 1985. The Next Generation NCLEX was created in 2023 to measure nursing candidates’ ability to make complex decisions while caring for patients.
Beard says her Ivy Tech classmates have become a “no man left behind” family.
“We work together to ensure all of us are successful no matter the circumstances,” she said. “I cannot wait to see how much more growth and unforgettable memories we endure together for our last two semesters together! Ivy Tech will forever be the best decision I’ve made to further my higher education. I absolutely love the support I receive from all of my classmates! We work together to ensure all of us are successful no matter the circumstances. We really are a “No Man Left Behind” family. I cannot wait to see how much more growth and unforgettable memories we endure together for our last two semesters together! Ivy Tech will forever be the best decision I’ve made to further my higher education.”
Learn more about Ivy Tech by visiting IvyTech.edu or call the New Castle campus at 765-599-2613.
Story originally appeared in The Courier Times.
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, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a 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.
