By Dr. Debbie Ford, Chancellor, Indiana University Southeast
“I am First!” Congratulations to all first-generation students and graduates from IU Southeast on this National First-Generation College Celebration Day! As a proud first-generation college graduate myself, I know firsthand the transformative power of higher education. My college education at the University of Louisville changed my life and opened doors I never knew existed. During my undergraduate years, I worked on and off campus while taking full advantage of campus life opportunities. Leadership roles as an orientation advisor, resident assistant, and an officer in Student Government and my sorority introduced me to careers in higher education. These roles taught me about teamwork, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Faculty and staff mentors guided me along my journey, challenging me to think deeply, learn new things, and take risks. It was not always easy, but I persevered and gained confidence from each course, activity, and conversation with faculty. My university experience prepared me for graduate school at Indiana University and, most importantly, for life.
Today, I lead as a champion for student success, knowing I have the responsibility as an educator and leader to pay it forward for future generations. My hope is to provide opportunities for even more first-generation students to grow, advance, and achieve their dreams of earning a college degree. This is one of the main reasons I am honored to serve as the Chancellor at Indiana University Southeast. I was drawn to IU Southeast because of our shared commitment to student success, the collegial and collaborative learning environment, and the opportunities to enhance the quality of life for the region as a leading community partner. Our dedicated faculty and staff, many of them first-generation college graduates, work each day to help our students find their passion, achieve their dreams, become college graduates, and eventually become our community’s next leaders.
Our goal at Indiana University Southeast is to enroll a broader representation of our region and attract even more first-generation students whose education will transform not only their lives but also the lives of their families. Currently, more than 30 percent of all students attending IU Southeast are first-generation, a number we aim to increase, producing the next generation of leaders, dreamers, and doers.
We know we transform lives, and we have the evidence to prove it. Recently, IU Southeast was ranked for the Economic Mobility Index (EMI) by Third Way, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. We ranked in the top 10 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for helping students from low- and moderate-income households attain a college degree and provide a strong return on their educational investment. Not only are we ranked 125th out of 1,410 colleges and universities in the country, but we are also the only tier-one university in this region to provide the best economic and generational mobility for graduates. Fifty percent of our recent graduates leave our campus with no debt because of our lower tuition and scholarship programs.
We offer top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities. Students at IU Southeast gain the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in today’s fast-paced world and they are guided by faculty and staff who believe in their potential to succeed.
At IU Southeast, our mission is to empower the next generation of leaders. We are proud that 99 percent of our 2022-23 graduates are either employed or attending graduate school. Among those employed, 97 percent are working in careers aligned with their studies, and 80 percent choose to live, work, and raise their families within our local communities. Reported salaries continue to increase each year, and with minimal to no student debt, IU Southeast is shaping futures and making higher education attainable.
By investing in our students’ success, IU Southeast is a driving force in this region’s educational, social, and economic landscape. Together, we’re fostering a legacy of leaders and first-generation college graduates who are making a difference right here at home.