BLOOMINGTON – Recent elementary education and honors graduate, Olivia Thurmond, has earned a full scholarship to Indiana State University starting this fall. Having earned her associate degree first, Thurmond transferred into ISU with junior status, and is now beginning work toward earning her bachelor’s degree.
While in high school, Thurmond took dual credit classes through Ivy Tech Community College that enabled her to start college early by earning college credits before she even graduated high school.
During her time at Ivy Tech, she became involved and benefitted from the services that community college offers to its students. Thurmond served as chapter officer for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and traveled to leadership conferences in Orlando, Fla. and San Diego, Calif. A project she spearheaded, was selected as a Top 50 Project (out of 1300) in the organization.
Thurmond says that Ivy Tech was one of the best educational experiences she’s ever had and that she had the chance to get to know and work with so many different people from her classes and from clubs she joined.
“In the two years that I attended Ivy Tech Community College, I was able to grow both personally and professionally,” she said. “If it wasn’t for Ivy Tech, I wouldn’t have been able to be part of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and I wouldn’t have been able to earn this incredible opportunity [scholarship].”
By the time she finished her associate degree at Ivy Tech in May 2019, Thurmond earned the Most Distinguished Chapter Officer Team for Phi Theta Kappa, a spot on the All-Indiana Academic Team 2019, the Phi Theta Kappa Sue Jackson Award, Student Leader of the Year, and finally, her full-ride Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship to ISU.
Thurmond plans to graduate from ISU with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education, and then plans to become a teacher in the state of Indiana.
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.
