Ivy Tech Bloomington Chancellor Jennie Vaughan announces retirement

After nine years of dedicated leadership as Chancellor and more than 25 years of service at Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, Jennie Vaughan will retire from her position on May 15, 2023. During her tenure, the campus expanded its reach in the communities it serves, saw record credentials awarded, built unique partnerships, and added new programs to serve the workforce needs of south central Indiana. The College will conduct a nationwide search for the next Chancellor and details will be made public in the near future.

“Providing opportunities for students to achieve their career goals and improve their lives has been my life’s work in higher education. Seeing our graduates walk across the stage at Commencement is the highlight of my tenure as Chancellor,” Vaughan said. “Together with community and business leaders, trustees, legislators, and faculty and staff, we have built solid paths forward for Ivy Tech graduates. It has been an absolute pleasure over the past 25 years to support student and community success, and I’m confident the team will continue this impactful work.”

Under Vaughan’s leadership, the campus increased accessibility to high-quality education beyond Bloomington city limits, offering career certification courses in Bedford at the StoneGate Arts & Education Center, the Brown County Career Resource Center, the North Lawrence Career Center, and Ivy Tech Mooresville, among others. More than 5,600 students have completed industry-based courses at these locations.

During her time, the campus added key programs, including the award-winning Pathway to Licensure in partnership with Monroe County Community School Corporation, automotive technology at the Monroe County Airport, biotechnology certificates, the Smithville Center for Computing & Informatics, the Biology Outdoor Learning Lab, guaranteed admissions programs, Early College at area high schools, the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship, expansion of the Lee J. Marchant School of Nursing, expansion of radiation therapy to the Lafayette campus, and offering the only Ivy Tech homeland security and public safety program in the southern third of the state of Indiana.

She ushered in partnerships with area employers, including Cook Group, French Lick Resort, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Crane Army Ammunitions Activity, Artisan Electronics, Baxter, Boston Scientific, Catalent, German American Bank, General Motors Bedford, Indiana University Health, LeHigh Hanson, Old National Bank, IU Credit Union, and Smithville, among others.

“Chancellor Vaughan has done all the right things for this campus and community. She built a strong team, serving as leaders in addressing the higher education and workforce needs of the region,” said Connie Ferguson, Chair of the Bloomington Campus Board of Trustees. “Chancellor Vaughan has left a legacy of success and our board and the community will forever be grateful for her tireless leadership.”

Under Vaughan’s leadership, the campus secured critical financial support through the Ivy Tech Foundation with two capital campaigns totaling $14.8 million. Fundraising addressed essential needs, such as tuition and emergency funding for students, program growth, and expansion and renovation of the main campus. Students were awarded 2,179 scholarships totaling more than $1.1 million.

“Chancellor Vaughan’s leadership has resulted in deep community, employer and educational partnerships, programming, and outcomes for Ivy Tech Bloomington,” said Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President of Ivy Tech Community College. “Throughout her long career with Ivy Tech, Chancellor Vaughan demonstrated her deep commitment to both students and employees creating a culture of care that is special at the Bloomington campus. We thank her for her service and wish her the best in her retirement.”

Vaughan served on a number of advisory boards, including the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, Bloomington Health Foundation, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, The Mill, Regional Opportunity Initiatives, and Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society.

She received the Community Philanthropy Award from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County in 2022 and the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction by Phi Theta Kappa in 2020 for her outstanding support of student success. She also won the Franklin Initiative Golden Key Award in 2016 and was recognized as a Women Excel Bloomington honoree in 2015, both by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

About Jennie Vaughan
Prior to being named Chancellor on May 1, 2014, Vaughan worked in a variety of positions, including Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Executive Director for Administration, and Executive Director of Human Resources. She has more than 40 years of experience in higher education, beginning her career at the University of San Francisco as Registrar and Director of Operations. Vaughan earned her Master of Public Administration from American Military University, completed graduate coursework toward a Master of Arts in Education at the University of San Francisco, and earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior from the University of San Francisco.