BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus and Clipper & Soul, Haircuts, Beards, & Goods, has entered into partnership through Ivy Tech’s Achieve Your Degree™ (AYD) program to support community college completion for Clipper & Soul employees.
“In contrast with a tuition reimbursement program, Achieve Your Degree™ is a tuition deferral program that enables working adults to earn a community college education with no upfront costs,” said Jessica Duncan, director of Achieve Your Degree™ at Ivy Tech Bloomington. “We know that the initial costs associated with earning a credential are a barrier for some students, so we’re partnering with Clipper & Soul to offer Achieve Your Degree™, for the benefit of employees and the employer.”
Bryce Bow, owner of Clipper & Soul, says that they love Ivy Tech’s AYD program. “Ivy Tech has removed a lot of the pain points for us and our team members to pursue further learning and training,” he said. “One of our team members actually just finished her nursing degree as part of the [AYD] program! We believe that if we invest in our team and their personal goals, they not only improve their skills (critical thinking, communication, etc.), but also reciprocate with loyalty, engagement, and, in turn, an overall better experience for our customers. It’s a win-win-win for everyone.”
The program will give Clipper & Soul employees the option to earn associate degrees and certifications in any degree program of their choice in order to advance themselves personally and professionally.
Clipper & Soul is committed to improving quality of life in the community by offering educational perks to its employees, and through its free haircuts every three weeks at the Wheeler Mission for men in the recovery program, among other haircut outreach partnerships. Clipper & Soul has completed hundreds of free haircuts in the community since 2018.
Other local employers have also partnered with Ivy Tech Bloomington to offer Achieve Your Degree™ to their employees, including Artisan Electronics, Bell Trace Health and Living, Boston Scientific, Circle Prosco, Inc., Cook Group, German American Bank, IU Credit Union, Old National Bank, Paoli Health & Living Community, Singota Solutions, Stonecroft Health Campus, and Hearthstone Health Campus.
Employers can learn more about offering Achieve Your Degree™ by attending Ivy Tech’s information session and luncheon on Tuesday, June 18 at 11 a.m., held on campus at 200 Daniels Way.
To RSVP for the AYD Lunch and Learn or for more information, contact Jessica Duncan, director, at jduncan71@ivytech.edu or (812) 330-6349.
For more information about AYD, log on 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.
