Partnership with FWCS creates seamless transition for its students to Indiana Tech

April 23, 2026

An agreement between Indiana Tech, 3DE® by Junior Achievement and Fort Wayne Community Schools will give FWCS students an opportunity for a clearer pathway to a college education.

Beginning May 2026, graduates of Fort Wayne Community Schools’ and 3DE® by Junior Achievement’s instructional model will be able to transfer credits obtained from the program toward the course requirements for an Indiana Tech degree program. In addition, these students will be eligible for a 3DE Scholarship, which is the equivalent of a 20% reduction of tuition for online undergraduate programs at Indiana Tech or the Traditional Merit Scholarship, which ranges from $5,000 to $18,000 per year. This agreement can create a substantial savings in time and money for FWCS 3DE students who choose to pursue a degree at Indiana Tech.

“The 3DE model resonates well with Fort Wayne Community School students who are looking for real-world education that will prepare them well for what is next in their lives,” said Indiana Tech Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management, Dr. Steve Herendeen. “Those are the kinds of students who will flourish at Indiana Tech—a university that, for nearly 100 years, has dedicated itself to guiding students of all ages toward meaningful careers, competitive salaries, real-world skills and a clear pathway to the workforce.

The 3DE learning model was developed by Junior Achievement, integrating core academics with real world business challenges to engage students and allow them to explore local career opportunities. Under the Junior Achievement umbrella, a network of local, regional and national businesses collaborates with students to bring learning to life. Schools using the 3DE model have shown higher graduation rates, improved attendance and increased student engagement. 3DE is being implemented at all five Fort Wayne Community High Schools.

FWCS students who successfully complete the annual 3DE curriculum from their freshman year on can earn up to 12 credits toward their Indiana Tech education. That’s a savings of approximately $16,000. 3DE curriculum immerses students in, among other things, public communication, interpersonal communication, and other essential skills like critical and analytical thinking, and cultural agility. What makes 3DE by JA so unique is it’s an integrated model, so students are engaged through their entire four-year high school career.

“This agreement is a powerful validation of the full four-year 3DE experience—not just a single year—affirming that sustained, real-world learning translates into meaningful college credit and readiness. More importantly, it creates a clear pathway for FWCS students to earn an Indiana Tech degree faster and at a lower cost, accelerating both their academic and career journeys,” said Pat Morello, 3DE by JA market lead, Northern Indiana.

For more information about this program, contact Erica Lay, Indiana Tech associate director of admissions, at eclay@indianatech.edu, or 260.215.9275.