Lifelong learning, for herself and the hundreds of “kids” who call her Mama B, is a hallmark of the life of alumna Beth Chaney, who now serves as director of Ivy Tech Kokomo’s ASAP (Associate Accelerated Program) in Kokomo and Logansport.
Beth grew up in Miami County and graduated from Maconaquah High School. Her own post-high school educational journey began at Ivy Tech, where she earned a technical certificate in dental assisting in 2005. She went right to work in that field, but patient loads dwindled in 2009 as the recession deepened. She returned to Ivy Tech to complete the associate degree she had started in 2001. Beth completed her Associate of Arts degree in General Studies in May 2011. She transferred her credits to Indiana University Kokomo where she completed her bachelor’s degree in the fall of 2012. In the fall of 2018, Beth completed her master’s degree in Adult & Community Education at Ball State University.
Her career at Ivy Tech grew along with her list of credentials.
Starting as a switchboard operator when she returned to Ivy Tech in 2009, Beth has served the College in a variety of capacities since then, including Corporate College and Event Center support staff member, assistant to the dean of Nursing and associate director of Financial Aid before taking on the ASAP role. In 2015 when Kokomo was one of the final regions to launch ASAP, Beth was elated to be the person to do it. Since then, she and campus leadership have expanded their program to a second location and have each year increased their number of students enrolled. In September 2024, Beth celebrates 15 years of employment with Ivy Tech Community College and hopes to spend her remaining working years at the College.
"ASAP is my glass slipper. It fits me and I fit it. There is nothing else I can even imagine myself doing. I feel the roles I’ve served since beginning my career with the College in 2009 have led me to my happy place. How blessed I am to have a career I love, and a life I love, too!”
– Beth Chaney
Since Kokomo’s ASAP launch in 2015 Beth has mentored and supported nearly 300 students. She calls those students her teenagers and they call her their Mama B, but Beth is the real-life mama to a very sassy 7-year-old Winslow Mae and the partner to a very supportive and easy-going Brandt Finley. Beth’s favorite place to spend her vacation hours is in northern Michigan. She is active in the Miami County community, completing the Miami County Leadership Program in 2022, and regularly speaks before school and community groups about ASAP.
“I love that I have an Ivy Tech story and a transfer story to share with my students and my community,” she said. “I love my work at Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo because there is always something good going on – a surprise around the corner. I have experienced growth beyond measure – educationally, professionally, and financially – since my first day of employment in September 2009. I ❤ Ivy Tech!”
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.
