Leaving a Legacy

Recently retired from her position as Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences & Education at Ivy Tech Community College’s Indianapolis Campus, Carol Schuck began her journey with Ivy Tech in September of 1975 as a part-time adjunct professor. At the time Ivy Tech was still a technical school, and had a small student body of around 1,000. For her first position she taught English to HVAC students, a class made up of entirely men. She held her position as an adjunct professor for 8 years.

Still working at Ivy Tech, her next role was a year-long position as coordinator of federal grants. After her brief stint in the grants department, she decided to resume her passion for teaching. Her talent for student connection led to working summers for a high school program called CETA. Long before the days of computers, she would meet every day to rotate the course sessions by hand using a grid.  During this time she also edited the first regional course catalogue, a bulletin that has evolved into what is now the statewide catalogue.

Carol took position as the Dean of the Liberal Arts Department in 2013. After many years of devoting her time and talent to Ivy Tech, she decided to pass the torch and venture into her well-deserved retirement. Thankful for her experience with Ivy Tech, she says she has had many opportunities that would not have been offered to her otherwise.

Interactions with students went beyond simply the duties of her job, “It’s important for every administrator to keep in touch with the students and hear what their interests are,” she said when asked about how she’s stayed engaged with students throughout the years. One thing about students that has stood out to Carol is just how much they’ve changed over the years. “Originally, the average age of students in our region were 28. We had lots of women that wanted to go back into the work force, and had a large number of Vietnam vets. When our region opened we had 367 students, and were approved for 3 programs. When I was hired, the enrollment had gotten up to 1,000.”

Carol has proved in multiple ways how much she believes in Ivy Tech. Upon her retirement, she graciously decided to give a generous gift to the Ivy Tech Foundation. She viewed this as one way she could truly give back to a school that has given so much to others.

When asked what she would say to current Ivy Tech faculty who are not actively giving, she replied, “I encourage faculty to think about the students they have met, and neighbors or relatives that may become students – how do they need to be supported?” Carol has been a nurturing and shining influence on Ivy Tech and its students throughout the years. Her generosity will continue to provide for those students who she cares about so dearly for many years to come, but cannot replace the personal connection and influence she is known for. We thank her for her years of dedication and her determination to help students succeed, and we wish her a joyous retirement.