Lowery
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education unanimously voted to hire Chris Lowery as the state’s seventh Commissioner for Higher Education during its monthly Commission meeting on Thursday.
Lowery replaces outgoing Commissioner Teresa Lubbers, who announced her departure in late 2021 and served in the role for nearly 13 years. As senior vice president of workforce, careers and adult strategy at Ivy Tech Community College, Lowery has led the college’s workforce and career initiatives and organization.
“Alignment between education and workforce is critical to making Indiana a leader in attracting and developing talent,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “Chris is uniquely experienced and positioned to continue advancing this vital work. He understands the role higher education must play in the skills and ability necessary for Indiana to compete in the global economy. I’m grateful he’s stepped up to take on this most important assignment.”
Prior to his current role, Lowery served as Ivy Tech’s chancellor of the Columbus and Southeast regions. Before joining Ivy Tech, Lowery served as president of the board of the Batesville Community School Corp. and was a founder of the Batesville Community Education Foundation. Before working in higher education, Lowery led public policy and engagement for Hillenbrand, Inc. and served as an aide to former Indiana Gov. Robert D. Orr and then-Senator Dan Quayle.
Lubbers – Indiana’s sixth higher education commissioner since its founding in 1951 – will conclude her service at the end of March and Lowery will assume the role of Commissioner for Higher Education in mid-April.
