The 18 soon-to-be IU East alumni will officially graduate in August, after completing their degree requirements over the summer for the program developed and implemented by Greg Braxton-Brown, chair of the IU East Division of Business and Economics and professor of management.

The program, created for Ivy Tech State College students in Region 11, was approved in March 2004. It allows Ivy Tech graduates with associate’s degrees in business to transfer 78 credits and is offered completely in Lawrenceburg, located in Dearborn County 25 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio.

The program was created after Braxton-Brown visited with Ivy Tech personnel and learned of the growing need and desire for graduates to continue their educations.

“The dramatic growth in the river counties creates a demand for an IU education,” explained Braxton-Brown. “East is determined to meet this demand.”

The weekend classes allow students to complete the program in one calendar year and are taught by three faculty members each semester. The program is not exclusively for Ivy Tech grads; graduates from other associate’s degree programs may also qualify.

With the successful completion of the first cohort, attention has now been turned to developing similar programs for education, nursing and social work. An articulation agreement for the IU East bachelor’s degree in elementary education is currently in the approval process.

Braxton-Brown is excited about the possibilities of a completion program in education.

“I firmly believe we are demonstrating to the State of Indiana how its higher education investment can be leveraged while also removing geographical boundaries for Indiana’s future learners,” said Braxton-Brown. “It is simply fantastic to participate in the economic development of Dearborn and other river counties. A region cannot develop without great teachers and our partnership will provide those teachers.”