Ivy Tech express enrollment comes to Broadview Learning Center

The Herald-Times

Posted: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 3:19 pm | Updated: 4:50 pm, Tue Jun 17, 2014.

By Mary Keck 812-331-4353 | mkeck@heraldt.com

In just three hours, people who stopped in to Broadview Learning Center on Tuesday were able to meet with an advisor, take the Accuplacer skills assessment, and get enrolled in classes at Ivy Tech.

The Express Enrollment day offered a chance for those interested in continuing their education to make one stop to apply to college.

For Michael Edrington, it was a way to get a head start on college while earning his General Education Diploma. “I can’t wait to get going,” he said. Once he’s taken the high school equivalency test and earned his GED, Edrington will have already explored his options at Ivy Tech and taken the first steps toward taking classes at the community college in the fall.

During Express Enrollment, Edrington met up with Alex Barton, an admissions representative from Ivy Tech. They sat together among brochures and pamphlets about Ivy Tech and looked online at course offerings. They talked about class sizes, the flexibility of switching majors, free tutoring, and the kinds of courses Edrington might take to transfer to Indiana University.

Edrington’s ultimate goal is to study music at IU. While he’s also considering studying Biotechnology, “music has been molded in my mind,” he said. Edrington plays guitar, drums, and piano.

“Regardless of your end goal, we want you to get there,” Barton said.

“I hope I do,” said Edrington.

Down the hall, two adults were taking the Accuplacer. Afterward, they would watch an Ivy Tech orientation video and maybe enroll in fall classes. Express Enrollment was open to everyone, including non-traditional students, graduates who just finished high school, those who have earned GEDs, and students who hadn’t completed college.

“We’re trying to find a way to make it convenient for potential students,” said Rob Moore MCCSC’s Director of Adult Education. “Any time you have another trip out, there are chances of decreasing that possiblity that someone would get lost or fall of the trail of getting enrolled in college.”

According to Jennifer Rusk, Ivy Tech Director of Admissions, the advantage of hosting Express Enrollment at Broadview is that many potential college students may feel more at ease by coming to a familiar place.

“By having it all in one space in a place that they’re already comfortable, by the end of the day they’re ready to come into Ivy Tech and meet with an advisor,” Rusk said.

This first-time program grew from a partnership between Monroe County Community School Corp. and Ivy Tech Community College, and after trying Express Enrollment out this summer, it’s likely the event will happen again.

“We hope it will be successful,” Moore said. “We’re planning to have two more throughout the coming year.”

Admissions representative Alex Barton talked with Michael Edrington about financial aid and courses he could take as part of Express Enrollment into Ivy Tech. Within three hours, anyone who stopped by Broadview Learning Center on Tuesday could receive college advisement, take the Accuplacer assessment, and enroll in courses at Ivy Tech.
Mary Keck | Herald-Times