Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College, was selected by the Aspen Institute to join the 2020-21 inaugural class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, an initiative designed to support community college presidents early their tenure to accelerate transformational change on behalf of students.
Ellspermann is one of 25 Aspen Fellows selected from more than 100 applicants, which is fully funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and run by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. Participants are in their first five years as a college president and will take part in a seven-month fellowship beginning in June.
“I am honored to be selected into the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship and look forward to the opportunity to work with incredible colleagues leading community colleges across the nation,” said Ellspermann. “Although we lead different institutions, ultimately our goals are similar.”
She said each college leader wants students to succeed and land a successful career.
“We want to see more students succeed by earning their credential and pursuing a career in which they will prosper,” Ellspermann said. “We also endeavor to build an institution which will thrive with skilled faculty and staff, and communities working together to increase educational attainment of Hoosiers, eliminate equity gaps, and improve our state’s workforce.”
The fellows, who have been college presidents for five years or less, were selected for their commitment to student success and equity, willingness to take risks to improve outcomes, understanding of the importance of community partnerships, and ability to lead change. Ellspermann was named president of Ivy Tech's statewide operations in 2016.
“We know more than ever before about how community colleges can improve outcomes for students, both in and after college,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “And the urgency for them to do so only increases—especially for students of color and low-income students. These fellows have shown they are fully, urgently committed to excellence and equity, and we look forward to working alongside them.”
Nearly 80% of community college presidents nationwide plan to retire in the next decade. Through this fellowship and its other leadership programs, Aspen seeks to help replace those exiting the presidency with an exceptionally capable and highly diverse talent pool.
Ivy Tech’s Northwest and North Central Indiana campus locations include, East Chicago, Gary, Goshen, La Porte, Michigan City, South Bend and Valparaiso.
