Kevin Nguyen moved to Bloomington before his senior year of high school and didn’t know what he wanted to study in college. He took one computer science class and decided that it was for him and would be his major in college.
Nguyen was accepted into two four-year universities, but realized neither were the right fit. He quickly applied to Ivy Tech Community College and enrolled after high school graduation.
I chose Ivy Tech because it seemed like a good path to see if college was right for me and to also ease myself into college and adult life. I didn’t want to pay the massively increased tuition rates that came with the requirement to live in the dorms at a four-year school.”
– Kevin Nguyen, student government president and graduate
During Nguyen’s time at Ivy Tech Bloomington, he seized opportunities to become involved in campus life.
“My proudest moments were when I was working with the Student Government Association,” he said. “I didn’t think that going here [Ivy Tech] would change my life so much not only in terms of academics and education, but also personal growth.”
As SGA secretary, he organized events, distributed food supplies, and connected with fellow students along the way. SGA achieved installation of exercise equipment outside and under his leadership as president, successfully designated private study rooms on campus.
In addition to Nguyen’s involvement with SGA, he completed the Student Leadership Academy. Both provided scholarship awards to help pay his college tuition costs.
He was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, was named outstanding student in his program of study, and delivered the 2024 commencement address. In his message, he encouraged others to seize opportunities.
Nguyen graduated summa cum laude with his TSAP associate degree in computer science, which is a direct pathway to transfer to a four-year college. He will attend Indiana University in the fall to earn his bachelor’s degree. In the future, he plans to work as a software engineer.
“At Ivy Tech, everything seemed like it was at my pace and in the end allowed me to pursue my education while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle,” he said.
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.
