Ruth Person Chancellor, IU Kokomo

The mission of IU Kokomo is to meet the educational needs of north central Indiana through a broad spectrum of undergraduate programs leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees, a limited range of graduate offerings and a wide variety of continuing education activities.

As a part of Indiana University, the campus is committed to the attainment of excellence in all of its endeavors. This section focuses on a few of the many ways that we address and fulfill our mission in the region.

Our university has built many bridges and made many contributions over the years. In the early days, before degrees were granted on our campus, many individuals began their higher education in Kokomo. These students then transferred to IU Bloomington, Purdue University or elsewhere and became very successful in their chosen careers.

Since our first IU Kokomo class graduated in 1969, nearly 8,000 individuals have earned degrees here. They now live and work throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. However, most of our graduates continue to live in the state of Indiana and, specifically, in north central Indiana, where a substantial number work in teaching, health care, management and other areas of the professional community. By educating these individuals, we have made a significant contribution to the quality of life in the region.

There are many other ways that IU Kokomo provides connections locally and globally as part of our educational mission. To stimulate economic development, we provide consulting services to new and emerging Hoosier businesses. Additionally, our Center

for Economic Education enables teachers to expand their knowledge of economic issues. In health care, our nursing program links the campus with nurses as far away as South Korea. Our music and art offerings provide cultural enrichment for the region.

IU Kokomo continues to serve as a primary source for the education of future generations of north central Indiana residents.

Moreover, it continues to serve as a place for lifelong learning—for retraining toward new careers, for learning for enjoyment’s sake, for workforce development—and as a source of cultural and intellectual activity.

Joined by our higher education partner, the Purdue University School of Technology Kokomo, we will continue to make those connections.