STATE LAUNCHES ADULT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

Governor Mike Pence and Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers joined Indiana business and local government leaders yesterday to kick off a coordinated campaign to help 750,000 Hoosier adults who have some college credit but no degree finish what they started. The statewide effort is a key strategy in reaching Indiana’s goal to increase the percentage of Hoosiers with education beyond high school to 60 percent by 2025.

With support from state lawmakers and Indiana colleges, the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) is reaching out directly to prospective returning adults and easing their transition back to college with a variety of special programs and incentives, including $1,000 scholarships through a $7.5 million state grant, flexible class schedules and online courses, college credit for work and military experience, grade- and debt-forgiveness programs, and tuition discounts.

This month, thousands of former college students will receive messages in their mailboxes and email inboxes highlighting the benefits of completing their degree and directing them to resources designed to support their return to school. At YouCanGoBack.org, Hoosiers will be matched to college programs based on their interests and career goals before being connected to dedicated “You Can. Go Back.” campus ambassadors at well-matched colleges.

Indiana state leaders have called upon businesses and local communities as essential partners in the “You Can. Go Back.” campaign.

Comcast was the partnering business for the “You Can. Go Back.” announcement. The company already offers employees $5,750 in annual tuition reimbursement support, but Comcast is also working to expand education benefits.

As one of the largest employers in our state, Governor Pence has directed the State Personnel Department to share information about “You Can. Go Back.” with state employees. State agencies such as the Department of Workforce Development and the Family and Social Services Administration are helping publicize the effort across the state in local WorkOne and Division of Family Resources offices.