Ivy Tech-Hamilton County opens Noblesville campus
300 N. 17th St. has been welcoming students back to school for decades but Aug. 25 was the first time high school graduates entered its doors looking to further their education. After transitioning from high school to middle school, Noblesville Schools has sold the building to Ivy Tech, which has created its 32nd college campus in Indiana – and first in Hamilton County.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Ivy Tech Hamilton County Campus President Dan Clark, a Noblesville resident. “Opportunity and results are different things. We have such a golden opportunity here. We just have to provide good results.”
Transitioning to a college
After taking ownership of the former Noblesville East Middle School in June, Clark said the immediate priority was to create 11 to 12 classrooms and two to three computer labs.
“The second phase is to prepare another part for construction technology and advanced manufacturing, which will begin later this year,” he said, adding a much-needed new roof will be installed this month and construction is underway for a new parking lot where the old baseball diamond was located. “The third phase is a new entryway, new commons area and a study area.”
There are some plans to turn the basketball court in the gymnasium to college size.
“In the longer term, there are hopes of bringing more student services – food services and a bookstore – and many more classes on the second floor next fall,” Clark said.
General Education
Clark said the Hamilton County Campus will concentrate on business and construction technology. He said the campus will offer 30 to 40 courses in its first semester including several eight-week courses. Clark said a majority of its classes take place in the evening and the campus is looking to grow class availability during the day. While the Lawrence Campus is home to Ivy Tech’s nursing and pre-med classes, Clark said there are opportunities for Noblesville in other fields in the health sciences industry like radiology.
Clark said Ivy Tech offers one-year industry certifications; associate of arts and science degrees, which are transferable to four-year degrees (two years at Ivy Tech and two at another college); and associate of applied science or degrees in technical fields. In the spring, Clark said Ivy Tech will seek approval to award degrees at the Hamilton County Campus.
Community space
Since the idea was introduced, Ivy Tech has wanted to integrate itself into the community and keep the longtime school available to the public.
“We have a very detailed partnership with the Noblesville Parks Dept. to create a community center in the building,” Clark said.
Clark said Ivy Tech will keep the main gym for its college basketball team but the upstairs gym and one of the two cafeteria spaces will be used by the parks department. Unused classroom space will also be available for parks programming.
“There is space and opportunities for Noblesville Parks to offer all the courses and curriculum. They are interested in a year-round community center,” he said. “The auditorium and larger gym will be shared by the community.
Business impact
Clark said he is meeting with all six chamber of commerces to better understand what the economic and occupational needs are in Hamilton County.
“The schedule depends on demand and enrollment,” he said. “A lot of employment in Hamilton County is oriented toward technology and information systems. I think there is a potential competitive advantage for this campus to begin to offer certification and degrees in information sciences.”
Noblesville Chamber of Commerce Director Bob DuBois said the campus provides opportunities for established businesses and budding entrepreneurs who want to stay connected to the community.
“Sometimes community colleges are misunderstood for what they offer. Ivy Tech has a great track record of meaningful training to help the business community on an as needed basis,” he said. “They seem to be really willing to build programs to meet the needs of large employers in the city.
DuBois said the workforce development is an asset in the community and tells businesses “your training needs can be met here.”
“Having Ivy Tech in a community becomes a key component in Noblesville’s economic development strategy,” he said.
By the numbers
• 86 percent of Ivy Tech-Hamilton County students are younger than 25. “We’re kind of surprised by that at the moment,” President Dr. Dan Clark said.
• Clark said the average cost of a three credit hour course is less than $400 at Ivy Tech. A traditional four-year college charges $1,000 for the same class.
• The Hamilton County Campus in Noblesville has approximately 1,300 students and the Carmel site has 1,500 students. This is the final year for the Carmel location and Clark estimates that the Noblesville campus will have more than 3,000 students in 2015.
Meet Dan Clark
Age: 64
Residence: Noblesville
Education: Bachelor of arts in education, master of arts in American history and doctorate in American history from Purdue University.
Family: Wife, Ann Minnich; daughters, Kylie and Jenna
Hobbies: “I’m lucky enough to play a little bit of tennis when I’m not thinking about what the campus can be.”
Background: Clark most recently served on as executive director of the Indiana Education Roundtable. His first job in education was as a middle school teacher for 11 years. “I loved every minute of it,” he said. Clark then worked for Congressman Phil Sharp and then for the teacher’s association for 20 years.
President’s goals
Ivy Tech Hamilton County Campus President Dr. Dan Clark said his top four goals include:
1. To get a lot of high school students to see this as a good place to start their college careers toward a two-year or four-year degree.
2. To get a large number of residents – high school graduates and adults – to realize there are lots of great jobs in the economy that require technical certificates or degrees and Ivy Tech programs provide that education.
3. Employers see this as a place they can get high quality training for their workforce retraining needs.
4. Make it a place senior citizens can pursue some of their interests as courses are available at no tuition costs.
