HOW A NEW PROGRAM LETS SYCAMORES TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES

Graduating from college is a daunting but rewarding task. There are late nights of studying, assignments, and a social life to balance. For others, financial obstacles, family obligations, etc., have stopped Indiana State University students from becoming alums, sometimes with less than 15 credits remaining.

But now, the Leadership and Professional Development program is repowering Sycamores who want to transform their personal lives and careers.

This curriculum offers students that need just a few credits to graduate from Indiana State a chance to earn a bachelor’s degree through a customized track.

Since being established in the fall of 2022, five students have graduated, with around 20 members actively enrolled.

Dr. Lindsey Eberman said: “This is a huge opportunity. Indiana State is a university that has historically served Indiana in a unique way. We are in a place to serve more members of the Hoosier community, allowing them to have a greater degree of social mobility. We have a chance to elevate people who want to better their lives, and we should.”

The curriculum structure involves only a handful of foundational classes and five credits of core classes. A student’s track is custombuilt based on their previous education and career aspirations; their degree can be completely different than when they first attended school if their life is taking a new direction.

Recruitment started by using institutional data for people that completed 75 credits at Indiana State previously and contacting them about returning to complete their degree and graduate. ISU later emphasized recruitment through digital and radio advertisements.

Although a university-wide degree, the program is housed in the College of Arts and

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Paula Glover

“Finish what you start. That is a phrase I have used with my children. After almost 25 years, I made the decision to finish what I started with my college degree,” said Paula Glover.

Glover attended Indiana State University in 1994, majoring in textiles, apparel, and merchandising, but left in 1999 before finishing her degree.

After working in the corporate world for over two decades and watching her children earn their college degrees, Glover finally felt it was time to finish what she started.

After reconnecting with Indiana State, she learned she only needed 11 credit hours to finish her degree. Glover enrolled in the Leadership and Professional Development program and began classes in January 2023. In May, Glover accomplished her dream and graduated from ISU with a bachelor’s in leadership and professional development.

Her story isn’t done. Glover’s passion for learning has been reignited, and in June, she started pursuing her master of business administration degree.