Effective immediately, all YLNI members are eligible for a 20% reduction in tuition from Indiana Tech when they pursue an online degree (undergraduate, graduate or doctorate). In addition, graduates from YLNI’s Leadership Institute (beginning with the 2025 graduating class) receive immediate credit for Indiana Tech’s MBA 5050: Executive Leadership course, which can apply to an MBA, MSOL or a business graduate certificate.

“Historically, members of YLNI and graduates of its Leadership Institute are movers and shakers within the region; professionals who care about personal growth adding positively to the fabric of the community,” said Dr. Steve Herendeen, Indiana Tech senior vice president for strategic enrollment management. “Indiana Tech is pleased to help these individuals develop as professionals and pursue lifelong learning.”

YLNI members interested in more information should contact Indiana Tech admissions representative Doug Furnish at 260.422.5561, ext. 2243, or dlfurnish@indianatech.edu. Visit online.indianatech.edu, as well.

Through this partnership, eligible participants will receive a 20% tuition savings on Indiana Tech’s online certificate and degree programs. The scholarship applies to all online undergraduate and graduate programs, excluding traditional on-campus programs and the university’s Pacesetter MBA. With more than 100 fully online programs in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, supply chain management, organizational leadership and marketing, Indiana Tech provides flexible options for working adults looking to advance their careers.

“Indiana Tech is excited to partner with outstanding employers like Sweetwater,” says Dr. Steve Herendeen, senior vice president for strategic enrollment management at Indiana Tech. “Sweetwater is not only a pillar in the Fort Wayne community, but a company that truly invests in its people. We’re honored to support their employees in pursuing educational goals that will benefit them and the region as a whole.”

In addition to tuition savings, participants in the program will receive personalized support throughout their educational journey, including personalized admissions services, online academic advising, online tutoring services and access to Indiana Tech’s Office of Student Success and Career Center. This hands-on guidance is designed to help students stay on track academically and professionally from day one through graduation.

The leadership team at Sweetwater says this partnership is a strategic investment in both its workforce and its future. “This partnership gives our employees a powerful opportunity to grow,” says Rachel Ritchie, talent development manager at Sweetwater. “By helping them further their education, we’re not only supporting their individual goals—we’re also strengthening our company with team members who bring new knowledge, skills and perspectives to the table.”

Online courses at Indiana Tech begin every six weeks, allowing students to start when it works best for them and to balance their studies alongside work and family responsibilities. For more information about Indiana Tech’s corporate partnership program, please contact Katie Parrish, executive director of strategic initiatives and partnerships, at 260.344.4439, or kmparrish@indianatech.edu. Learn more about online programs at Indiana Tech: online.indianatech.edu.

In partnership with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, the Commission awards Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana designations to universities based on their adherence to 37 standards across eight categories:

• Core requirements
• Marketing and Communication Strategies
• Admissions and Enrollment
• Financial Support
• Institutional Support Systems
• Student Support Services
• Student Engagement
• Career and Community Engagement Opportunities

The Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana initiative is part of the Commission’s HOPE (Hoosier Opportunities and Possibilities through Education) Agenda, which aims to make Indiana a top ten state in the nation by 2030. A key element to that work is supporting military-affiliated students, amongst other high-need student groups, to increase post-secondary attainment for Hoosiers.

In April, Indiana Tech was designated as a Military Friendly® School and a Top 10 Gold Level institution for 2025-26 by Viqtory, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. Indiana Tech has been recognized as a Military Friendly® School for 14 straight years.

“I’m very proud to be associated with an organization so deeply committed to helping those who have served our country move forward in their careers,” said Ryan Ozbun, associate vice president of Military and Veteran Services at Indiana Tech. “My team takes great pride in embodying Indiana Tech’s commitment by making sure our military and veteran students get the resources, benefits and quality service they deserve.”

Every member of Ozbun’s Military and Veteran Services team has a military background and understands the unique needs of military students and the educational funding that is available to them. With unlimited Yellow Ribbon waivers for eligible students, deployment protection, credit for prior learning, and scholarships for service members, veterans, and their spouses, Indiana Tech’s Military and Veteran Services team is here to serve you. Visit our Veteran Center to learn more.

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the university will host the Fort Wayne Area College Fair from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in the Schaefer Center gymnasium. During this Indiana Association for College Admission Counseling-endorsed college fair, dozens of representatives from in-state and out-of-state colleges will be on hand to share valuable information about their respective institutions. You can learn about:

• Degree programs
• The learning environment
• Housing options
• Campus life/safety
• Academic support
• Career services
• Scholarship opportunities
• Financial aid

Tuesday, Sept. 23
5:30-7 p.m.
At Indiana Tech’s Schaefer Center
1600 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne IN 46803

For more information about the Fort Wayne Area College Fair, or would like for your organization to be represented at the event, contact Associate Director of Admissions, Erica Lay, at eclay@indianatech.edu, or 260.215.9275.

Attending Organizations (as of July 29)

• Indiana Tech
• Anderson University
• Ball State University
• DePauw University
• Franklin College
• Grace College
• Grand Canyon University
• Hanover College
• Holy Cross College
• Indiana University
• Indiana University, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
• Indiana University School of Medicine Health Professions Programs
• INvestEd
• Manchester University
• Marian University
• Northern Michigan University
• Purdue University
• Purdue University-Fort Wayne
• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
• Taylor University
• University of Saint Francis
• Valparaiso University
• Vincennes University
• Wabash College

Indiana Tech’s STEAM Academy provides students with innovative youth programming and hands-on learning opportunities that will enhance their academic and creative strengths in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Its summer camps and after-school programs are delivered in a fun and immersive environment that cultivates our students’ curiosity in STEAM and prepares them for college, career and life.

Camps for Middle School Students (for students entering 6th, 7th or 8th grade)

• Examine + Explore Science Camp, June 16-18
• Creative Expression and Communication Camp, June 23-27
• Launch + Lead Camp, July 7-11

Camps for High School Students (for students entering 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade)

• Examine + Explore Science Camp, June 16-18
• Creative Expression and Communication Camp, June 23-27
• Launch + Lead Camp, July 7-11

Camp Photos

Launch + Lead Campers Presenting their awards

Launch + Lead Campers presenting their pitch

Launch + Lead campers working on their poster presentation

Creative Expression and Communication campers working on an art project

Finished art by the Creative Expression and Communication campers

Creative Expression campers do chalk art

Join us on Thursday, June 12, at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne to learn more about this program.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Open House
Thursday, June 12
6–8 p.m.
Indiana Tech, Keene Building
1120 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN

Representatives from Huntington University’s Nursing Program will be on hand to:

• Discuss scholarship opportunities through Parkview Health and the Questa Education Foundation
• Explain ABSN prerequisite requirements, program curriculum and class schedules
• Provide tours of the ABSN classrooms and facilities within the Keene Building
• Answer any other questions you may have

Dr. Musunuri is very passionate about our students’ professional preparation. His commitment to ensuring student success is evident in every communication he has with students colleagues. His teaching evaluations are always impressively positive; students frequently comment how much they learned and how much guidance they received. His classes are challenging, but his classroom approach keeps the learning experience fun and engaging.

One student shared that Dr. Musunuri is a great mix of “funny and intellectual.”

Another student shared, “He understands the need for individuality with students. He continually shares all resources necessary for students to excel in life. He truly cares about each student inside and outside the classroom, constantly checking up on how we are as individuals and how our families are doing.”

Colleagues describe Dr. Musunuri as student-centric. He has a very deliberate approach improving student learning, for focusing on student engagement, for ensuring students graduate and methodically connecting students to their profession. Colleagues observe that he is a great team member, enthusiastically supporting university events such as Explore IT, Select IT and Become IT. He extremely passionate about each student’s own path to success.

Since joining Indiana Tech in 2018, Dr. Naga Musunuri has made countless contributions to the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences and to our students.

It’s one of seven engaging camps Indiana Tech’s STEAM Academy will host this summer at the university’s main campus at 1600 E. Washington Blvd. in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Indiana Tech’s STEAM Academy provides students with innovative youth programming and hands-on learning opportunities that will enhance their academic and creative strengths in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Its summer camps and after-school programs are delivered in a fun and immersive environment that cultivates our students’ curiosity in STEAM and prepares them for college, career and life.

Additional Middle School Camps

• Examine + Explore Science Camp, June 16-18
• Creative Expression and Communication Camp, June 23-27

Camps for High School Students (for students entering 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade)

• High School STEM Camp, June 9-13
• Examine + Explore Science Camp, June 16-18
• Creative Expression and Communication Camp, June 23-27
• Launch + Lead Camp, July 7-11

First place went to the University of California, Irvine, while the University of Virginia finished second and Dakota State University finished third.

Members of this year’s Cyber Warriors team include Tavares Baker, Timothy Bukowski, Avery Hughes, Brody Long, Jeremy MacRoberts, Myles Nieman, Martin Quintana, Samuel Regelbrugge, Martin Topp and Maggie Trowbridge.

This year, 250 teams began the CCDC season, working to combat attempted network security breaches and related challenges that test their problem-solving, technical abilities and teamwork. Indiana Tech’s Cyber Warriors have become a powerhouse in this arena, having won 18 Indiana state championships, including 11 straight.

The Cyber Warriors earned their spot in the championship in March by winning the Erich J. Spengler CCDC Midwest Regional title—the university’s fifth.

For six straight years, every member of the Cyber Warriors has secured a job in their career field prior to graduating. Indiana Tech has also established a growing national reputation as a producer of top talent in the cybersecurity field—so much so it was recognized in 2023 as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Learn more about Indiana Tech’s cybersecurity program and the Cyber Warriors at academics.indianatech.edu/colleges/cyber-center.

“At Avancez, we strongly believe in investing in our people and providing opportunities for growth and development. Programs like EDGE allow us to strengthen our institutional knowledge and facilitate advancement from within,” said Michael Hudson, plant manager, Avancez Fort Wayne. “In addition to these clear people-centric advantages, EDGE will help us enhance our internal talent pipeline while reducing external recruitment costs. This will keep us ahead of the competition in today’s rapidly changing and highly competitive market.”

Through the EDGE program, Avancez is helping to remove barriers to higher education by making it easier for Team Members to balance work, education, financial and personal commitments. Thanks to tuition support through Indiana’s Workforce Ready Grant and the company’s tuition assistance program, the certificate comes at no cost to eligible participants. In addition, students can earn their certificate in Production Management onsite at the company’s Fort Wayne location by attending classes one day per week during work hours.

“Indiana Tech is excited to partner with forward-thinking companies like Avancez,” said Dr. Steve Herendeen, vice president for strategic enrollment management at Indiana Tech. “The Avancez EDGE program demonstrates Avancez’s commitment to Team Member development by removing the barriers to education for working adults. This innovative partnership not only empowers Avancez Team Members but also provides a scalable model for other companies looking to invest in their workforce while reducing training costs and improving employee retention.”

As the state of Indiana faces growing workforce demands, Indiana Tech’s on-site corporate education model offers a customizable solution for companies committed to employee growth and business success. Organizations interested in exploring similar partnerships can contact Doug Furnish, senior admissions representative at 260.299.3196 or djfurnish@indianatech.edu.