A consortium of regional educational leaders secured a $1.1 million READI grant for initiatives related to health care and technology.
The group already had been meeting during the pandemic to share solutions to challenges stemming from the crisis. When the opportunity to apply for Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative funds, the school leaders were sure they had a better chance of procuring a grant together rather than separately.
“We were already meeting regularly, so we were able to mobilize efficiently to secure READI funding when the opportunity arose,” said Indiana University South Bend Chancellor Susan Elrod, who brought the schools together, in a press release. “The group proposal allowed each institution to identify its core needs related to health care and advanced technology.”
Health science program leaders created the Regional Higher Education Talent Pipeline and Partnership Consortium. IU South Bend, Ivy Tech Community College South Bend-Elkhart, Saint Mary’s College and Marian University’s Ancilla College all were part of the group.
The READI grant was approved for the full $1,151,370 as requested. Each school's requested funding included:
- IU South Bend: Dwyer Healthcare Simulation Center, a high-tech simulation facility for radiography and nursing programs
- Ivy Tech: Mobile Career and Certifications Laboratory, a platform for advanced technology programs
- Marian University’s Ancilla College: Equipment to enhance its Leep Family Nursing Skills Lab
- Saint Mary’s College: Equipment for its interdisciplinary learning and clinic space for speech language pathology and nursing students
Some of the funding also will go toward a partnership led by IU South Bend to assess the health care workforce needs in the South Bend-Elkhart area. The initiative will include higher education, health organizations, K-12 education and economic development organizations.
“We must ensure that our Region has sufficient health care professionals so that we can always meet the demand and keep everyone healthy,” Elrod said. “… Modern facilities will help attract increased enrollments and, consequently, better health care options will help make our Region more appealing to any citizen.”
