Office of Legal and Public Affairs

Legal and Public Affairs Staff

Mary Jane Michalak

Senior Vice President, Legal and Public Affairs

Contact Info

mmichalak@ivytech.edu

Mary Jane Michalak serves as the Senior Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs for Ivy Tech Community College. This includes responsibilities for government relations, media relations, internal communications, and the College’s legal case management.

Prior to joining Ivy Tech, she worked for an education, workforce, and economic development consulting firm where she oversaw business development, strategic planning, and external affairs. Michalak has a decade of experience in Indiana state government. As the associate commissioner for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, she oversaw the distribution of over $300 million in state financial aid to more than 85,000 students. She aligned state practices and policies with federal regulations and focused financial aid policies to emphasize completion, productivity, and quality for students to maximize the State’s return on investment. Michalak served on the federal relations committee of the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP), and in 2014, was selected by the NASSGAP Executive Committee to speak to the White House Domestic Policy Council about financial aid reform efforts in Indiana. During her state government tenure, she worked in the K-12 education and property tax sectors as well. She also covered education, policy, and gaming news as a state policy reporter for a niche publication.

In 2013, Michalak received the Governor’s Distinguished Service Medal from then-Governor Mitch Daniels. She is a graduate of the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series.

Michalak earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with honors from Indiana University- Indianapolis, a Master of Public Affairs with honors from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and two children.

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Mary Jane Michalak

Senior Vice President, Legal and Public Affairs
Claire McRoberts

College Counsel

Contact Info

cmcroberts8@ivytech.edu

Claire joined Ivy Tech as College Counsel in July of 2023. Prior to joining the Legal Affairs team, Claire spent nearly seven years as in-house counsel at a large public university and worked for two years as a compliance consultant. While Claire has experience in a wide variety of higher education issues, she is especially interested in employment law, student affairs, First Amendment, and Title IX. Claire earned a J.D. from IU’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University. In her free time, Claire enjoys spending time with her husband and their three dogs, reading, gardening, and eating French fries. She is also a board member of IndyPAAW, an animal rescue organization.

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Claire McRoberts

College Counsel
Emily Sandberg

Assistant Vice President of Communications

Emily Sandberg is the Assistant Vice President of Communications for the Ivy Tech system. She leads the development and execution of communications strategies that maintain and advance the College’s reputation and relationships with key stakeholders, including employees, government agencies, legislators, and policymakers.

Prior to joining Ivy Tech, Sandberg was a strategic communications and public affairs consultant to clients in the education, healthcare, financial services, and tech industries. She has led communications for advocacy coalitions that have influenced the passage of Indiana’s hate crimes law and expanded the State’s On My Way Pre-K program.

Sandberg has received several awards from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), including a Diamond Award for external relations in the East Central District, (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia chapters). She has been recognized with five Pinnacle Awards from the PRSA Hoosier Chapter, including a Best in Show Award. In 2020, the chapter named Emily the top public relations practitioner under 30 in Indiana.

Emily received a Bachelor of Arts in English from DePauw University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of the Media Fellows honors program. She lives in Indianapolis.

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Emily Sandberg

Assistant Vice President of Communications
Carey Treager

Assistant Vice President Student Advocacy

Contact Info

ctreager@ivytech.edu

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Carey Treager

Assistant Vice President Student Advocacy
Rachel Stuffle

Director of Public Affairs

Rachel Stuffle is the Director of Public Affairs at Ivy Tech Community College, where she regularly engages with state legislators and monitors legislation.

Before joining Ivy Tech, Rachel served as a senior legislative assistant for the Indiana House of Representatives, overseeing several state lawmakers and covering various House committees, including Education and Public Health. After graduating college, Rachel was selected to be a Governor’s Fellow in the Office of Governor Eric Holcomb from 2018 to 2019, where she collaborated with legislative teams from the Indiana Department of Child Services, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Department of Natural Resources to research and analyze beneficial legislation. She also gained valuable experience in Washington, D.C., serving with former Congressman Luke Messer. Additionally, Rachel has worked for several reelection campaigns for some of Indiana’s highest office holders.

Rachel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University-Indianapolis. She lives in Greenfield with her husband and daughter.

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Rachel Stuffle

Director of Public Affairs
Amelia Hopkins

Assistant College Counsel

Amelia joined Ivy Tech as Assistant College Counsel in April 2024. Prior to joining Ivy Tech, Amelia spent nearly five years as in-house counsel at a large public university. Amelia earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from IU’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science and History, summa cum laude, from DePauw University. In her spare time, Amelia enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

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Amelia Hopkins

Assistant College Counsel
Tasha Braswell

Senior Administrative Assistant

Tasha Braswell serves as the Senior Administrative Assistant at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, where she plays a crucial role in supporting the institution's operations and administrative functions. With a rich background in administrative support and healthcare, Tasha brings over a decade of experience to her current position. Her dedication to efficiency and organizational excellence is central to her role.

Before joining Ivy Tech, Tasha spent 10 years in the healthcare sector, most notably contributing to the establishment of the Pediatric Neurosurgery practice at St. Vincent Hospital in 2019. Her expertise in streamlining administrative processes and enhancing organizational efficiency significantly impacted the growth and development of the practice.

Tasha earned her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from The University of Phoenix in 2012. Prior to pursuing her degree, she was actively involved in her family business, where she played a key role in its growth and operations.

Outside of her professional life, Tasha is deeply passionate about art, her faith, cooking, and cherishing time with her family, friends, and three children. Her commitment to both her work and personal interests reflects her well-rounded approach to life and career.

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Tasha Braswell

Senior Administrative Assistant