IUPUC is hosting a panel discussion titled Strengthening the Community through an Educated Workforce: A 50-Year Commitment to Building Brighter Futures for All, on May 2, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the Columbus Learning Center Lecture Hall. The event, which is free and open to the public, brings together community leaders and educators to discuss the history and future of IUPUC's role in the education and economy of the region.
The event is aligned with IUPUC’s 10-year Welcoming Campus strategy, and is presented as part of IUPUI's Welcoming Campus Initiative. It commemorates IUPUI's 50th anniversary and its collaboration with IUPUC to create best-in-class higher education opportunities for students in South Central Indiana.
IUPUC began in 1970 as an extension of IUPUI with the motto “A Great Place to Start,” providing coursework for students who would ultimately matriculate to Indianapolis or Bloomington to finish degrees. However, in the past 20 years, with the support of the Community Education Coalition and the Columbus business community, IUPUC has evolved to offer 11 undergraduate and three graduate degrees that provide Columbus and the surrounding communities with nurses, teachers, healthcare workers, business professionals, and engineers.
“We are excited to have a panel that represents both business and education, and look forward to hosting a great discussion about higher education’s role in providing companies with workers who are prepared for success,” said Dr. Reinhold Hill, Vice Chancellor and Dean at IUPUC.
IUPUC is also taking this opportunity to honor its alumni both during the program and with a reception to follow. All alumni in attendance will be provided a commemorative gift.
The moderator for the event is Kathy Oren, Executive Director of the Community Education Coalition of Columbus. Panelists include:
John M. Burnett – CEO, Community Education Coalition (CEC) of Columbus
Drew Klacik – Senior Policy Analyst at the IU Public Policy Institute
Daniel Noel – Director of Clinical Talent, Columbus Regional Health
Srikanth Padmanabhan –Vice President, Cummins Inc.
Jim Roberts – Superintendent, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
Amy Conrad Warner – IUPUI Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, May 2, 2019
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (reception to follow)
Location: Columbus Learning Center Lecture Hall
4555 Central Ave., Columbus, IN 47203
Cost: Free and open to the public
For more information about the event, visit www.iupuc.edu/events/wcif-panel, or contact Jay Lesandrini, Director of Communications at IUPUC at 812-375-7553 or jlesandr@iupuc.edu.