The iGrad program has been active at Jennings County High School for just over one year, and already it is accomplishing great things.
The program, managed by Ivy Tech Community College, started in the fall of 2016 with funding from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Grant, and was designed to help students academically and improve graduation rates through coaching, mentoring and tutoring.
With a roster of more than 40 students, LeAna Matern, the Jennings County iGrad coach/team lead, has continued to make a difference in students’ lives in the second year of the program. In addition to one-on-one coaching, LeAna also provides college and career coaching for juniors and seniors.
In an effort to expose students to the career opportunities that Jennings County has to offer, LeAna has taken groups of students to the Lowe’s Distribution Center and St. Vincent Jennings Hospital. The students are often surprised by the wide range of career possibilities that are available in Jennings County, and LeAna strives to broaden their knowledge of those potential career opportunities.
LeAna also takes students to Ivy Tech Community College’s Columbus campus to explore the programs that are available and to learn more about what could be in store for them after high school.
Community partners have played a large role in the success of the program. For the 2017-18 school year, Superintendent Teresa Brown and Jennings County High School Principal Tom Black approached the North Vernon TIF (tax increment financing) Board for funding. The funding provided by tax increment financing has allowed the program to continue to provide support for those students who need it.
In November 2017, community business and industry leaders were invited to the high school to learn more about the program, including the potential for community mentors and tutors. As a result of that meeting, employees from Martinrea, Decatur Plastic, O’Mara Contractors and Lowe’s Distribution have applied to volunteer with the iGrad program. Many students are already meeting with their mentors and tutors. We greatly appreciate the partnership with these businesses and their willingness to play such an important role in the lives of our iGrad students.
The iGrad room at Jennings County High School is a place where students are often found studying, finishing homework, checking on their grades, completing college applications and sometimes eating their lunch.
Karly Marksberry, a senior who plans to attend Ivy Tech in the fall to study criminal justice and/or psychology, said that iGrad is helpful because she’s able to complete her work.
“It’s good for those of us who aren’t motivated to do stuff, because we have someone pushing us to do our work to the best of our ability. It’s also nice to have someone help us do college stuff, because college stuff can be scary,” Marksberry said.
In addition to mentors and tutors, several local benefactors have participated in donation/grant efforts:
- Kenny Freeman, Decatur Plastic Products
- Gary Yeager, GT Industries
- Anonymous donors
So, how can you or your business or organization help? Some options include:
- Mentoring/tutoring students
- Business/industry tours
- Lunch and learns
- Financial support
If you are interested in supporting the Jennings County iGrad program, please contact me at [email protected].
Laurie Dickerson is the director of the iGrad program, which is managed by Ivy Tech Community College.
