A Community College that Changes Communities

Dr. Kathleen Lee, Ivy Tech Community College Central Region Chancellor

by Edward Palmer; epalmer at ivytech.edu

Ivy Tech’s North Meridian Center is fortunate to have Dr. Kathleen Lee as its very own Chancellor. Beginning her career at the Indianapolis campus in 1985 as the director of clinical education for the Respiratory Care program, Dr. Lee has 27 years of Ivy Tech experience.

Dr. Lee said, “In those days we considered ourselves a mom and pop shop, I never really had a plan to become Chancellor, I just worked incredibly hard.”

Dr. Lee has earned four degrees; an Associates of Applied Science in Respiratory Education, a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Secondary in Education. She has also earned her Masters in Adult Education and a Doctorate in Education, with a specialization in Adult and Community Education with a cognate in Higher Education.

Dr. Lee is very active in the community, serving on commit­tees for both the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care Site Visitor and IU Members Credit Union. Being a board member at the Center for Emergency Training in Johnson Country adding to her long list of accomplishments.

“Instructors don’t come to Ivy Tech in the hopes of getting rich. They do it for the love of teaching. They know the positive affect education has on a community,” Dr. Lee said.

In today’s competitive, global market, there are only so many jobs and the better prepared you are is just as important as the knowledge you may have.

“We not only have to educate our students, we have to steer them in the direction of a marketable degree,” Dr. Lee said. “Everyone would love to be a painter, but will being a painter lead to paying the bills and a comfortable future. Everyone should take pride in what they want to do, but be sensible when choosing a career. I truly believe we have the power to change lives. Ivy Tech is not just a community college; we’re a community college that changes communities,” Dr. Lee said.

Dr. Kathleen Lee is truly an inspiration. In a country that rates 90th in the world in terms of women in positions of power and legislative roles, it’s remarkable to see a woman who not only takes pride in herself, but the education of the student body.

Safety on campus: How safe are we?

by Imani Palmer; ipalmer at ivytech.edu

It’s quite startling to hear that there is crime at one of the safest Ivy Tech campuses in the state. It is normal for colleges to experience some sort of crime every now and then. Nonetheless, it is still a major concern, not only for the students and faculty at Ivy Tech Community College, but for the community. This leads to a serious question, with the holidays quickly approaching, are students and faculty of Ivy Tech really safe, and is there any need to worry about their safety?

Director of Security at Ivy Tech’s South Bend campus, James E. Clark, Jr., said, “In the beginning, the only crime there was, was nothing but lost books, and other lost items on campus.”

In this day, there has been the most recent crime, like the carjacking on the North Meridian Campus, where a student was walking from his late night class and held at gunpoint. In the end the student was safe, but are these sorts of issues something to be worried about often?”

“These types of situations do take place, and sometimes you cannot stop it from happening, you can only make sure that in the end the student or faculty is safe and unharmed,” said Clark, who has been an Indiana Police officer for the past 35 years, said.

Crimes are taking place all over the city and state, and they do not only happen on Ivy Tech campuses. Clark has dealt with a lot of crimes that we have only heard on the news and read about in the newspaper. With his experience in the police force, he encourages all students on the Ivy Tech campuses to use the security escort services. The campus security escorts are always there to provide the safety for students, faculty and staff, in case anyone feels in danger at any point while they are on campus.

Clark said students should take full advantage of the security escorts, “It’s like locking your front door.” He said, “You learn to protect your home by locking your doors.” When in a public place, students, staff and faculty should use the same concept and arm themselves with full protection, which is why security is there, to put your safety first. Clark also takes the time to emphasize the importance of observing your surroundings, being aware of where you are at all times, and not taking advantage of where you are. Danger can lurk anywhere.

“We work very hard to ensure the safety of students, staff and faculty on the Ivy Tech Campuses,” said Clark. “We make sure that there are at least one or two squad cars day and night riding around campus and the surrounding area, and make it an effort to patrol daily. Not so that the students know we are watching them, but that the criminals know that it is them who we are watching.”

Kim Birt, a current student at Ivy Tech’s main campus, confident in the safety at Ivy Tech, said, “Since someone usually drops me off and picks me up on time, I’m never really there on campus for that long. But I still feel safe. Plus, I usually walk with friends while I’m there, so I feel pretty safe.”

Students and faculty on campus can be rest assured that their safety is first priority. With the increase in security precautions and student safety, Clark said, “We have worked hard at a person’s safety. We have increased escorts and officers. No matter, sometimes these things still do happen, but our bottom line is to make sure that in the end that person is OK.”

Also, not that it is considered crime per say, but if a student feels at all targeted by a teacher or student, they are strongly advised to see Director of Student Code and Conduct. Alphonso Atkins at Ivy Tech’s North Meridian Campus. If this is the case with a teacher or student, he advises that a student contact Director of Academic Affairs, Anila Din, first.

Atkins handles inappropriate profanity and physical altercations. “These issues all get sent to me. It is a very formal process, where I can sit down with a student and hear them objectively, and I will send them a code of violation report and gather evidence from them, the teacher and students,” Atkins said.

Student’s personal safety in this regard is strongly looked upon as well. Ivy Tech is working hard to ensure that there is no form of misconductor crime on campus.

Students, staff and faculty have wondered if the security escorts are for people with cars alone. For those who have to walk to a nearby bus stop, is there any sort of safety measures being put into action?

“This might sound like a silly question, and don’t laugh, but what did your parents always tell you? If you don’t ask, you will never know!Don’t ever hesitate to ask for help,” Clark said.

It doesn’t matter if students drive a car, live nearby or take public transportation, there is full security and safety being enforced.

“Always ask security for help. We advertise on the Ivy Tech websites (such as ivytech.edu/security/), and each student, staff and faculty at all campuses should grab a copy of the Emergency Action Guide. I don’t believe there are any bad sides of town,” said Clark. “Just bad people.”

Everyone who attends Ivy Tech can log onto ivytech.edu/security/ and take a look at the Indianapolis Annual Safety and Security Report, and be more aware of the crimes that have taken place between 2009 2011. There you will find accurate statistics of crime. Criminal incidences have remained low for the past three years on Ivy Tech’s main campus, except for a criminal incident of aggravated assault that happened once in 2009, a motor vehicle theft happened once in that same year and an incident of burglary happened in 2011 on the main campus.

It is important to keep in mind that it’s impossible to prevent all danger, but it is possible to avoid it. Do not live in fear, because your safety is first priority to an outstanding security team who cares, right here at Ivy Tech Community College.