BLOOMINGTON – Jessica Quillen is pursuing her business administration associate degree with the help of Ivy Tech’s Achieve Your Degree program. She is employed by the Cook Family Health Center, a Cook Group company that is partnered with Ivy Tech to offer the Achieve Your Degree tuition deferral program to employees.
In contrast with tuition reimbursement programs, Achieve Your Degree is a tuition deferral program that allows working adults to earn a college certificate or associate degree with no upfront cost to them.
“Ivy Tech’s Achieve Your Degree makes it easier for me as a single parent to be able to pursue my degree,” said Quillen. “I enrolled at Ivy Tech in spring of 2016. I was at a place in my life where I was ready to make changes and better my life for both myself and my son.”
Quillen’s job is focused on business-related tasks.
“I chose to pursue a degree in business administration because of some great advice I received from one of my mentors, the director of the Cook Family Health Center,” said Quillen. “After taking her advice into consideration, I decided business was the best degree for me.”
Quillen says her goal is to become a practice administrator.
“My goal of becoming a practice administrator is a job I could do here at the Cook Family Health Center, if the position is available once all of my education is complete,” said Quillen. “However, obtaining a business administration degree definitely opens up the door for many possibilities within Cook.”
Quillen will be able to complete her associate degree entirely online and plans to graduate in spring 2019.
“Overall, my experience at Ivy Tech has been a blessing,” said Quillen. “I have taken several classes, including marketing and an introduction to computers course, which focused on Microsoft Office programs, and have utilized my knowledge from the classes to benefit my responsibilities.”
Quillen received the SGA Fred Jones Memorial Book Scholarship in the summer 2016 and was named to the Dean’s List in spring 2017.
Employers who wish to learn more about Achieve Your Degree can arrange a time for Ivy Tech to visit their company. To arrange a meeting, contact Jessica Duncan at jduncan71@ivytech.edu or (812) 330-6349.
More information about Achieve Your Degree can be found online at ivytech.edu/achieveyourdegree.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
