Chris Lowrey appointed as Indiana’s new Commissioner for Higher Education
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education unanimously voted to hire Chris Lowery as the state’s seventh Commissioner for Higher Education during its monthly Commission meeting on March 10. Lowery replaces outgoing Commissioner Teresa Lubbers, who announced her departure in late 2021 and served in the role for nearly 13 years. As senior vice president of workforce, careers and adult strategy at Ivy Tech Community College, Lowery has led the college’s workforce and career initiatives and organization.
Prior to his current role, Lowery served as Ivy Tech’s chancellor of the Columbus and Southeast regions. Before joining Ivy Tech, Lowery served as president of the Board of Trustees of the Batesville Community School Corporation, and was a founder of the Batesville Community Education Foundation.
In his new role, Lowery will focus on college affordability and ensuring quality higher education is delivered and tied to career relevance as the Commission continues its efforts to realize the state’s goal of at least 60 percent of Hoosiers with quality education and training beyond high school. Along with addressing declining college-going rates, the Commission will concentrate on increasing the number of adult learners who earn a degree or credential beyond a high school diploma.
Created in 1971, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education plans, coordinatesm and defines Indiana’s postsecondary education system to align higher learning with the needs of students and the state. The Commission also administers Indiana’s financial aid programs, including the 21st Century Scholars early college promise scholarship, which celebrated 30 years in 2020
Lubbers, Indiana’s sixth higher education commissioner since its founding in 1971, will conclude her service at the end of March and Lowery will assume the role of Commissioner for Higher Education in mid-April.
Purdue Women’s Basketball heading to the NIT
For the 30th time in program history, the Purdue Women’s Basketball team is heading to the postseason. On Sunday night, the Boilermakers accepted a bid to play in the 2022 WNIT. The Boilermakers are back in the postseason for the first time since the 2018 WNIT. Purdue has 26 NCAA Tournament appearances and will make their fourth entry into the WNIT. Purdue continues its streak of every senior class since 1988 playing in at least one postseason tournament during their careers.
Inheriting a team that won seven games last season, first year head coach Katie Gearlds guided the Boilermakers to a 16-14 overall march and 7-11 in the Big Ten this year. The nine-win improvement was the best by a Purdue coach in her first year and tied for the fourth best in program history.
The Boilermakers perimeter defense was the best in the Big Ten this season holding opponents to just 27.6% from distance with just 4.8 makes per game. Purdue held an opponent to six or fewer made 3-pointers in 21 games.
Purdue’s previous WNIT appearances came in 1988 (as the National Women’s Invitational Tournament), 2010, and 2018. The 1988 appearance was the first postseason run in program history, falling in the championship game to DePaul. The Boilermakers made it to the third round of the 2018 tournament, before falling to the eventual champion Indiana.
Support Hoosier Creativity Through a Position with the Indiana Arts Commission
The Indiana Arts Commission an agency of state government, funded by the Indiana General Assembly with support from the National Endowment for the Arts is looking to fill some positions. The State of Indiana offers excellent benefits, with medical plans including vision and dental coverage, generous paid time off, resources that empower you to be successful, opportunities for professional growth, and agency leadership that is committed to developing and rewarding talent.
Contracting and Financial Operations Coordinator
This position is best suited for someone ready to serve constituents and provide mission-focused service through management of the agency’s grants and professional services. If you are an analytical and organized person, enjoy directly engaging with constituents, and have a desire to serve the arts sector through an agency of state government… this is the opportunity for you. The application will close this Thursday, March 17th. Learn more and start your application.
Communications Manager
The Communications Manager is responsible for sourcing and creating high quality content designed to engage audiences and articulate the agency’s mission, culture, and impact. The manager communicates the value of the creative sector to a diverse network of stakeholders including citizens, grantees, business and civic leaders, elected officials, and state, regional, and national partners. The application will close on Thursday, March 31st. Apply for this opportunity.
Deputy Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships
The Deputy Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships provides dynamic, people-centered support for the agency’s people, operations, research, fiscal functions, and constituents, and brings expertise relevant to the agency’s goals, programs, services, and initiatives. This position shares in the development, management, and support for external programmatic and funding partnerships that support and extend the agency’s mission, vision, values, culture, and impact. The application will close on Thursday, March 31st. Apply for this opportunity.
Internship Opportunities
The Indiana Arts Commission also has paid internship opportunities available though the Governor’s Public Service Summer Internship. Applications for the Communications Intern and Programs Intern positions will close this Thursday, March 17th. Learn more about the available internships.
This Week ion Hoosier History
1933 – Banks across Indiana began to reopen after having been closed for a week. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had declared a “bank holiday” that shut down the banking system in response to a month-long run by nervous depositors.
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Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick