INDIANAPOLIS – Ivy Tech Community College honored Rene Walker of Indianapolis as one of 19 individuals across the state selected to receive the second annual Excellence in Dual Credit Instruction President’s Awards, the highest honor for Ivy Tech dual credit faculty. Winners were announced at a special ceremony on June 14 in Indianapolis and the event concluded with the 2023 Statewide Award recipient, Dr. Christine Herr of Ivy Tech Richmond.

The College honored each one of the winners for their excellence in instruction and their positive impact on the dual credit students that they served during the 2022-2023 academic year. A Selection Committee made up of the K-14 leadership team and college administration selected the honorees based on nominations from the Indianapolis K-14 Team.

“Dual credit faculty provide students with skills, knowledge, and competencies aligned with clear career pathways and seamless college transfer,” said Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann. “Dual credit programming taught by credentialled high school faculty is of tremendous value to our students and our state. By helping students earn post-secondary credentials while in high school, we’re accelerating Indiana’s economic growth and Hoosier prosperity.”

Jennifer Bratcher nominated Rene Walker for her excellence in teaching dual-credit health science courses. “Rene has a long-standing relationship with Ivy Tech dual credit. She has taught with us for many years, creating opportunities for her students in a healthcare pathway. Rene is easy to work with, happily responds to our requests, adheres to our deadlines, and submits her required documents in a timely manner. Rene is also the CNA program director at both McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology and Pike Career and STEM Center. She is managing the students’ clinical experiences and ensuring the success of both programs,” wrote Bratcher.

“Our dual credit faculty go above and beyond to ensure our students receive the best value for their education and pair that with innovative approaches to ensure the possibility of a post-secondary credential,” said Interim Vice President of K-14 and Strategic Initiatives, Monica Hingst. “This award recognizes instructors who best demonstrate excellence in instruction and exemplifies the mission of Ivy Tech.”

The Excellence in Dual Credit Instruction President’s Award is modeled after the College’s President’s Award to recognize College faculty and adjunct faculty members from Ivy Tech locations throughout the state.

A full list of the statewide honorees is included below.

  • Anderson: Leah Perry, Science Mount Vernon High School                 
  • Bloomington: Elbert “Buddy” Hart, Design, Lost River Career Cooperation
  • Columbus: Robin Perry, Business, Seymour High School                     
  • Evansville: Glenn Goffinet, Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing, Tell City Jr./Sr. High School                
  • Fort Wayne/Warsaw: Ashley Johnson, Entrepreneurship, DeKalb High School                     
  • Hamilton County: Kim Kaiser, Business & Marketing, Hamilton Heights High School
  • Indianapolis: Rene Walker, Health Sciences, Pike Career and STEM Center
  • Kokomo: Amy Lancaster, English, Peru High School
  • Lafayette: Melissa Colonis, Math, Lafayette-Jefferson High School
  • Lake County: Dawn Combis, Entrepreneurship, Lake Central High School                 
  • Lawrenceburg/Batesville: Colleen Tincher, Foreign Language, Spanish, Franklin County High School
  • Madison: emeka Koren, Science, Madison Consolidated High School             
  • Marion: Michelle Harrold, Math, Madison Grant High School
  • Muncie/Henry County: John Thompson, Chemistry, New Castle High School           
  • Richmond: Dr. Christine Herr, Chemistry & Agriculture, Hagerstown High School
  • Sellersburg: Michael Day, Mathematics, Silver Creek High School
  • South Bend/Elkhart: Dee Dee Gerber, English, Mishawaka High School       
  • Terre Haute: Samantha Woodard, English, Parke Heritage High School
  • Valparaiso: Laci Earle, Business, Washington Township High School

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.