Ivy Tech Community College and Lake City Bank recently signed an agreement to offer employees at the Warsaw-based bank an opportunity to earn college credit through the college’s Achieve Your Degree program.
Achieve Your Degree is a statewide collaboration between Ivy Tech campuses and community businesses and organizations that offers free or low-cost tuition to employees and members through tuition reimbursement or financial support from business and industry. This marks the first AYD partnership for Ivy Tech’s Warsaw campus, according to a news release.
“(We’re) extremely pleased to partner with Lake City Bank on the Achieve Your Degree program,” Warsaw campus President Dr. Allyn Decker said. “We see this collaboration as a natural extension of LCB’s outstanding commitment to employee development. We also look forward to hosting LCB students.”
The Lake City AYD program will be offered via the bank’s Lake City University, through which the bank develops employees at all stages of their career growth. Employees participating in AYD will have access to all Ivy Tech courses, with the opportunity to earn an associate degree in business as well as in other academic disciplines.
“Continuing education and training is in our DNA at Lake City Bank,” said David M. Findlay, president and CEO. “Partnering with Ivy Tech and the Achieve Your Degree Program is a natural step for us and will be a significant benefit for our employees.”
The program will be available to Lake City employees starting this fall.
A highlight of AYD is its concierge-style services, which includes on-site or dedicated information and registration sessions; help with the application process, advising, financial aid and admissions; and cohorts of courses specifically for AYD students, which enhance communication and services centered on their needs, the release states.
Lake City Bank, which has assets totaling $4.3 billion and is the fourth largest in Indiana, is headquartered in Warsaw. It has 49 branch locations across northern and central Indiana, delivering technology-driven solutions in a client-centric way to individuals and businesses. Lake City is a subsidiary of Lakeland Financial Corp.
Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, the release states. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
