Ivy Tech sets new record for completions

Ivy Tech Community College has once again broken its record for completions, reaching 57,525 in the 2025-2026 academic year.

That includes 2,569 completions earned by students in the six-county Kokomo Service Area, a 36 percent increase from 1,891 just two years ago and a 15 percent increase when compared to 2,232 a year ago. Ivy Tech’s Kokomo service area includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski and Tipton counties.

The number of statewide completions, which represent students earning third-party certifications or Ivy Tech certificates, technical certificates, or associate degrees, was more than 5,000 above the College’s goal. The numbers were finalized this month, following the calculation of third-party certifications.

The most recent total was 10 percent higher than the 2024-2025 academic year and up 38 percent in the last five years.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for all of Ivy Tech and is another sign of our value to students and the state of Indiana. We are helping connect Hoosiers with tangible certifications and degrees that will help them meet their career and life goals,” Ivy Tech President Marty Pollio said.

“Each of those completions represents a new opportunity for a student,” said Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Tech Kokomo, “and their personal achievement creates a stronger and more resilient community that each of us lives in, works in and enjoys. I hope those students, in their individual achievement, feel the same pride and joy our campus team feels as we share in their success.”

The breakdown of completions by type in the Kokomo Service Area in the 2025-2026 academic year was:

• 808 third-party certifications (short-term credentials recognized by business and industry),
• 677 certificates (less than one year of required coursework),

• 616 technical certificates (one year of required coursework), and  

• 468 associate degrees (two years of required coursework).

Ivy Tech offers 84 short-term certifications across 10 issuers, including the American Welding Society (AWS), Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) and Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC).