2023 President’s Report
from the desk of
JON S. KULAGA, PhD
I N D I A N A
W E S L E YA N
U N I V E R S I T Y
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President’s Report 2023
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From the Desk of the
President
A
s I look back at my first year as President of Indiana Wesleyan University, it is with a sense of awe and gratitude. Last July, as we entered the fiscal year, we faced unprecedented financial challenges as well as a decade long decline in enrollment – particularly in our National/Global online programs. However, through the hard work of everyone at Indiana
Wesleyan University – and by far the outpouring of God’s blessing on our efforts – we now look back and celebrate a year of victory and growth. Enrollment has turned around by over 2,000 students, and we have experienced a $16M financial gain in excess revenue, while increasing our endowment holdings by over $20M. All of this in one year! The President’s Report, which serves as the University’s annual report, is a publication that is designed to showcase the major highlights of the past year and often includes a glimpse into some aspiration for the future or a particular aspect of the institution. However, because my first year required a heavy focus on enrollment and financial numbers across the university, as well as a comprehensive restructuring and streamlining the organizational structure - this President’s Report will be about sharing “numbers”. But I want to hasten to add, that numbers are never the real story. Numbers are only indicators. Behind every number is a team of great people showing up every day and doing the hard work necessary to achieve the university’s mission to graduate “world changers” at every level, in every class, and from every team. It’s the people that make the numbers possible and it’s the people that make the university a place that remains unapologetically Christ-centered in our pursuit of academic excellence and spiritual vigor.
Table of Contents Listen to the Unified Voice of IWU 2 | Listen Closely Numbers Speak Volumes 4 | Working Towards Positive Enrollment Trends 6 | Learning Excellence in Academic Community 10 | Learning the Way of Spiritual Formation 12 | Leading the Way Forward 15 | Leading the Way Together - People, Partners, & Pathways 18 | Learning the Way Ahead - People 20 | Learning the Way Ahead - Partners & Pathways 22 | Prayer 24
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President’s Report 2023
13,297
1920
74
Christ Centered
founded in
accredited by the
enrolled as of Fall 2023
Countries Represented
100,000+ 202 Alumni
owned by the
Academic Programs
2
locations in
Indiana Fort Wayne Greenwood Indianapolis
Kokomo Marion Merrillville
Kentucky Florence
Ohio Cincinnati Cleveland Dayton
Louisville
Listen to the
Unified Voice of IWU
“
We’ve initiated a study for every department for programming, staffing, and checking to see how we can streamline these programs to be fiscally responsible. I am listening first, learning what needs to be done, and now leading the way to implementing positive changes for the University.” Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.
hen we began to explore operations at Indiana Wesleyan, we recognized three distinct silos within one university: IWU-Marion, IWU National & Global, and Wesley Seminary. To create a unified vision and mission for the university, we began an in-depth observation of every aspect of Indiana Wesleyan University. After listening and learning about
DR. YAMIL ACEVEDO Executive Vice President, Wesley Seminary
DR. EILEEN HULME Chancellor, IWU National & Global
DR. JON S. KULAGA President, Indiana Wesleyan University
each department we made decisions and the university became fiscally leaner and operationally more intelligent. For example, IWU-Marion and Wesley Seminary worked to combine their efforts to create one degree for ministry rather than duplicating programs between the two academies. Operational departments, like the marketing department also saw a merge. Transitions bring challenges; however, the university is beginning to see the advantages of the streamlined programs and operations. These pruning efforts will, in time, encourage growth and enable a unified brand which is emerging and will strengthen and clarify the mission and vision to our constituents.
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President’s Report 2023
Listen Closely
Numbers Speak Volumes
“
ancy Schoonmaker, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial & Operations Officer is excited to report better than expected results for the 2023 fiscal year. She says, “We’ve worked hard to control spending in the light of challenging external enrollment. This is a big part of our budget story.”
Our financial gains over the past year are nothing short of a miracle. The numbers reflect a lot of hard work to make sure processes and products are effective, but ultimately, they reflect much blessing from the hand of God.”
While enrollment continued to struggle during the first half of the year, changes in marketing and enrollment teams and strong partner performance allowed National and Global to outperform expectations. This increase meant a surplus in operational dollars. Schoonmaker also attributes better budget management to the strong year-end standing.
Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.
NANCY SCHOONMAKER Executive Vice President & Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Y-over-Y Insights $15,991,776 that’s a
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FY 2022
FY 2023
Income
$188,494,187
$192,924,185
Expenses
$184,752,097
$176,932,409
Operating Margin
$3,743,090
$15,991,776
427.2% increase
$3,743,090
O P ER AT IN G M A R G IN
2022
2023
GRANTS AWARDED TO IWU
Christian Parenting & Caregiving Program: $1,248,397
We initiated a different financial strategy, collaborating all efforts to all parts of IWU. For example, historically, IWU-Marion effectively applied for and received many grants. Now, we are encouraging National & Global and Wesley Seminary to apply for grants for a university-wide impact. In fact, we are working to combine all financial efforts across the board so that all departments including student accounts, financial aid, grant writing, and marketing benefit all facets of the university. As a result, several impactful grants have been awarded to IWU.
4%
Coordination Program for Christian Parenting & Caregiving Initiative: $4,814,187 Indiana Youth Programs on Campus: $999,733 Mental Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Prevention Program: $191,525
33%
Nurse Faculty Loan Program: $540,000
42%
Simulation Education Training: $1,607,045 Upward Bound: $1,607,045
FY23 T O TA L G IV IN G
4% 2% 2%
Operational
13% $841,571
Capital
$173,857
Non-Scholarship Endowement Endowed Scholarship
AT H LE TI CS FU N D RA IS IN G FY 23
Scholarship - Non-Endowed Grants
Teams & General Athletics Mission Trips
Other/TBD
145% Total Giving
1,047,994
$
OF 2023 GIVING GOAL RAISED
FY23 Goal
FY23 Raised
$8,000,000
$11,628,399
843,267
$
840,000
$
125% increase over goal
2022
2023 Goal
2023
IW U FUND 5
President’s Report 2023
Working Towards
Positive Enrollment Trends n a trying time for university enrollment teams, IWU saw real challenges. Other universities are feeling the losses too and some have even uprooted on campus learning or closed their doors altogether because the challenges are too great. IWU is different. Our strong financial positioning and historical fiscal responsibility has provided us a unique opportunity in the marketplace. IWU-Marion, IWU National & Global, and Wesley Seminary are financially positioned well for the future and have built strategies to weather the storm and find new opportunities for growth because of the tireless work of Marketing, Admissions Staff, and Faculty.
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#
1
best DORMS in Indiana
13:1
STUDENTFACULTY RATIO
IWU'S CAREER OUTCOMES RATE IS
7.6 573
%
HIGHER than the national average for public & private universities.
2023 INCOMING FRESHMAN
“
IWU Marion The IWU Marion campus fell 70 students short for Fall 2023 enrollment. Danny Solms, Interim Vice President of Enrollment at IWU-Marion points to a few factors in the decline. IWU Admissions and Marketing Teams are rising to enrollment challenges. Successful enrollment numbers require a team effort including cutting-edge technology, support from staff, partnership with the marketing team, and close work with the financial aid team. Technology has streamlined and created more efficient pathways of communication with prospective students and the “behind the scenes staff” coordinates mailings, reviews application files and transcripts, and schedules campus visits. The marketing team helps clarify all IWU offers and the financial aid team joins the conversation to make enrollment fiscally possible. Solms adds, “Robust partners will help grow applications along with an increase in digital marketing to seize opportunities to attract future students.”
We have a lot of new staff who bring fresh energy and a renewed excitement to share the IWU story.” Danny Solms Vice President for Enrollment IWU-Marion & Wesley Seminary
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President’s Report 2023
AUGUST ENROLLMENT NUMBERS
ENR OLL ME NT SUM MA RY
10,522 8,379 8,613 9,437 9,769 2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
2020-21
2019-20
Highest July enrollment after 4 years of decreasing enrollment numbers.
“
The ultimate success of N&G depends on a constellation of improvements in every area of the division.” Andy Miller Vice President, Strategic Enrollment & Partnerships
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10,522 ENROLLMENT AS OF AUGUST 2023
20%
INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT
IWU National & Global IWU National & Global experienced some of the same challenges IWU-Marion faced; however, through an adjusted marketing and enrollment strategy, it ended the year with multiple months of exceeding goals. Andy Miller, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment and Partnerships for IWU National and Global said, “Over the past ten years, more and more institutions are offering online classes and degree programs resulting in an extremely competitive online environment. Although more online classes are readily available, there is a decreasing number of higher education learners which creates an even more crowded marketplace.” The National & Global Admissions Team, partnered with the marketing department and shifted digital strategies to create more awareness and refined the target audience approach which saw enrollment growth late in the fiscal year despite the widespread shortage of candidates. As a result, they posted strong end-of-the-year enrollment numbers with impressive growth. Enrollment saw a 20% increase and is at the highest number since 2019.
top
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SCHOOLS BY HEADCOUNT FOR EMBEDDED SEMINARIES IN 2022 In Trust Magazine
190 6-7% 41% WESLEYAN STUDENTS
INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT
FEMALE STUDENTS
“
Wesley Seminary
Upon enrollment, we pay attention to the individual as a whole working in community, expanding knowledge, engaging professors, and spiritual formation.” Dr. Yamil Acevedo Executive Vice President of Wesley Seminary
Wesley Seminary saw a 6-7% increase in enrollment from July of 2022 to August of 2023 despite changing staff and transitions within the admissions office and senior leadership. Newly appointed Interim Executive Vice President of Wesley Seminary, Yamil Avecedo plans to establish new goals and metrics to monitor future success and strengthen partnerships with existing churches and organizations while creating new connections for growth. Wesley Seminary also hopes to encourage faculty to resource the local church and create new programs which respond to the current needs of Christian leaders and churches. There is optimism for the future of Wesley Seminary. Under Acevedo’s leadership, the Admissions Team looks for an upward trend in the next fiscal year.
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President’s Report 2023
Learning Excellence in an
Academic Community Natural Sciences: Dr. Warren Rogers and IWU undergraduate research assistants conducted research in accelerator-based nuclear physics. During this past summer, they worked at three different locations: IWU, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University, and the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. They are members of the MoNA Collaboration, with a focus on measuring the properties of very short-lived atomic nuclei near the limits of neutron stability, to better understand their properties and the role they play in explosive astrophysical events such as supernovae and neutron-star mergers. During the 2023 summer he and his students conducted data analysis, tested and calibrated a diamond detector, traveled to FRIB for detector tests, and then to LANSCE to install translation stage for the diamond detector, calibrate 15 neutron detectors, and fine-tune the data acquisition system in preparation for a neutron-scattering experiment to occur in fall 2023.
1
IWU PROFESSOR
+ 2
IWU STUDENTS
= Nuclear Physics DISCOVERIES IN
“
We need faculty who are not only passionate about their academic discipline, but also ready to live out their calling and love Jesus and be willing to create an engaging classroom space to say, ‘You can bring in your diverse perspectives, I want to hear your perspective, but let’s also talk about what Scripture says about this.’” Dr. Aly Williams, Chief Academic Officer, IWU-Marion and Vice President of Academic Affairs
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DR. WARREN ROGERS Professor, Blanchard Endowed Chair of Physics
AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS
OLIVIA LUCAS IWU Student
WESLEY SUSSENBACH IWU Student
Ecclesiastes: New Cambridge Bible Commentary Series (Cambridge Press), Dr. Larisa Levicheva, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies Inclusive Leadership: Equity and Belonging in Our Communities, (2024), Dr. Joanne Barnes, Professor of Organizational Leadership, (contributing editor) Addictions Counseling: A Competency-Based Approach – 4th edition (2024), Dr. Cynthia Faulkner, Professor in the School of Integrated Health (co-author)
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, IWU-Marion:
94
%
NCLEX-RN PASS RATE year to date
EXCEEDED NATIONAL PASS RATE FOR
15 yrs. National average for BSN programs is trending at 83%
School of Education:
92% 100% LICENSURE TEST PASS RATE
for ‘21-‘22 program completers
PEDAGOGY PASS RATE for the same group
“Ready student one! Exploring how to build a successful game-based higher education course in virtual reality” (2023 presentation), Dr. Robert Jesiolowski, Assistant Professor in the School of Integrated Health and Mr. Mike Jones of CAPS Academic Innovation “Followership Trailblazer Award of 2023” and “Outstanding Scholar Award” Dr. Michael W. Linville, Professor in the Organizational Leadership program and Dr. Mark A. Rennaker, Chair of the Division of Leadership and Followership Studies for their book - Essentials of Followership: Rethinking the Leadership Paradigm with Purpose (2022)
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President’s Report 2023
Learning the Way of
Spiritual Formation hen we travel to share the work of Indiana Wesleyan University, the consistent postpresentation question concerns the spiritual vitality on campus. This is a welcome question for us because our answer confidently affirms that the faculty exists to point students to Christ. We assure audiences everywhere that we are orthodox and staying true to the Biblical authority of God’s Word and to the mission of the Wesleyan church.
“
Small groups are a giant, but quiet, avenue of growing spiritual leaders on campus.” Andrea Summers
Spiritual formation is our distinctive. And at the center of our spiritual formation is the inerrant Word of God. Through students on the Marion campus, remote relationships build between professors and chaplains with students online through National and Global classes, or while walking alongside pastors and ministry leaders as they grow at Wesley Seminary, IWU is a place people grow in their relationship with Christ. As Andrea Summers, IWU-Marion Campus Pastor puts it, “We aren’t shy about spiritual formation.”
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5
CHAPEL SERVICES WEEKLY
STUDENT-LED SPIRITUAL FORMATIONS ORGANIZATIONS
100-150 SMALL GROUPS MEETING WEEKLY
These groups are accessible to every student on campus each Wednesday morning. Summers says, “They are the biggest leadership development and spiritual formation pipeline on this campus.”
IWU Marion 12
“
Many times, we hear from students who are 40 and older. They’ve set their lives up around their own narrative and have been largely successful, so we must be patient as we guide them in spiritual formation. It’s not a quick change and it takes a lot of patience … it takes a lot of prayer, consistence, and hope.” Bob Burchell
IWU National & Global
BOB BURCHELL Director of Chaplain Ministries
7 50%
CHAPLAINS
over
Spiritual Formation built into curriculum
OF NATIONAL & GLOBAL STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
“
Several leaders like the model at Wesley Seminary so much, they begin implementing it in their own ministries even while they are still a student. We want to create a seminary that equips leaders… It’s our distinctive.” Dr. Yamil Acevedo
Wesley Seminary
1:1
FACULTY/ STUDENT SPIRITUAL FORMATION MODEL
SPIRITUAL FORMATION named by students as “most formative aspect” of Wesley Seminary
Pastor’s pastoring pastors 13
President’s Report 2023
Leading the Way
To create an efficient flywheel model at IWU, a strategic plan began to form. The plan involved brainstorming sessions, focus group feedback, more brainstorming sessions, and intentional connections to see it begin to turn. Market research and rebranding efforts were designed to create intentional engagement with prospective students, alumni, donors, and strategic partners. This included a brand health study, developing brand guidelines to unify the brand, and new advertising campaigns designed to clearly communicate IWU’s value proposition in the marketplace.
“
Rather than doubling down on the three existing blades (pinwheel), we need to add more blades. The initiatives we are implementing are the way we can “catch” more students. You catch more wind with six blades than you do three.” Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.
to be conducted annually and assess our place in the market
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BRAND GUIDELINES
in development
the way
M
BRAND HEALTH STUDY CONDUCTED
Unified
NEW MESSAGING & ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
D
1
V. .DI M . | ES .A G R E E
These efforts combined with out of the box thinking created the first movement in the plan. We understood that to run with efficiency, IWU needed to create more “blades in the flywheel” …more than three (IWU-Marion, IWU National & Global, and Wesley Seminary) on our already existing model. If we can keep all our efforts growing, we will continue to gain momentum. Thus, we are naming the strategic plan “The Momentum Plan.”
.D .
s we listened to the students, faculty, and staff at Indiana Wesleyan University, we began to learn what it would take to ensure future security and success as an institution. Imagery of a flywheel applies. It’s like starting a lawn mower…when you crank it the first couple of times, it’s difficult. However, after the momentum of your pulls kick in, the flywheel keeps it going effortlessly with inertia. We need to get every area going so, as a university, we can keep it going with momentum.
PH
Forward
JIM VERMILYA Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Leads “The Momentum Plan” strategic planning process
CONTINUE AT ED U C I ON E CR DITS
CE RT
IF IC S ATE
“
ASS O DE G C I A R EE T S
The end goal of the Momentum Plan is to operate a healthy institution... We have daily tasks to keep the ship moving forward, but a strategic plan looks at a relatively short time to accelerate key things and take us to where God wants us to be in the long run.” Jim Vermilya
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E
B.A . | B. S. DEGRE E S
President’s Report 2023
A look into the
Momentum Plan
T
he board, cabinet, and leadership is developing the framework for The Momentum Plan. Together they have conducted a dozen feedback sessions and developed a draft over the summer to tweak the plan and get final approval with a presentation at the October board meeting.
Scripture:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6
Distinctive: Indiana Wesleyan University is a new way to experience higher education. We blend pioneering and academic excellence with a culture of transformational discipleship that is rooted in biblical truth. We see education as lifelong exploration and, as such, we offer dynamic and personalized learning pathways for every season of life, both online and on-campus.
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Mission: Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character (Philippians 2:5), scholarship (Proverbs 4:13), and leadership (Romans 12:6,8).
Values: KINDNESS HUMILITY BELONGING INTEGRITY COURAGE
Institutional Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate behaviors consistent with Christlike character.
2. Students will utilize the skills of scholarship to address complex issues for the benefit of others.
3. Students will engage effective leadership abilities in service to others.
MOMENTUM PLAN TIMELINE
2023
SPRING 2023 Develop process Gather initial input First draft of plan Feedback loops
Vision:
SUMMER 2023 Second draft
Indiana Wesleyan University will be the evangelical CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY OF CHOICE for every generation.
Feedback loops Draft action plans Draft budget
FALL 2023 Final draft
Priorities:
Plan blessed by Board
INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS
External Launch
Internal Launch
COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FULLY ENGAGED PEOPLE 2024 - 2026 Implement action plans
Goals:
1.
Review progress Make adjustments
We will EXPAND OUR MARKET REACH by developing new innovative educational pathways and reimagine/ redesign current programs.
2.
We will INCREASE OUR STAKEHOLDER BASE by stewarding new collaborative strategic partnerships.
3.
We will INVEST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PEOPLE and have a robust system in place for measuring their engagement.
Celebrate wins Learn from losses Communicate regularly Develop next 3-year plan Launch next 3-year plan
2026 17
President’s Report 2023
People, Partners, & Pathways
Learning the Way Together
O
ur vision for the future of IWU mobilizes people, partners, and pathways to create an institution of legacy. Of the hundreds of thousands of people in IWU’s reach over history, so many remain an integral part of the university. The university also enjoys blessed relationships with partners who give of expertise, knowledge, and gifts. An exciting future for IWU relies on creative education pathways. Our vision involves merging these three groups to create a sizable category of people who are also partners which create pathways for students to learn from people invested in Indiana Wesleyan University.
PEOPLE
PARTNERS
PATHWAYS
the
sweet spot
18
“
“I want IWU to be the evangelical Christ-centered university of choice for all generations.” Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.
“
The people drive this university forward. Alumni, donors, parents, students, faculty, and staff. We are serving the people by using partnerships and pathways streamlined into a unified university to glorify God. In doing so, we are creating a university that all IWU alumni, donors, parents, students, faculty, and staff can be proud to represent.” Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.
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President’s Report 2023
People
Learning the Way Ahead
JOHN JONES Vice President for University Advancement
“
JILL RINNE Donor
If you can change one life for Christ in the engineering program and get someone’s life back on track, you can change the world.” Jill Rinne, Donor
People We love to see our students and donors converge for a scholarship opportunity. John Jones, newly appointed Vice President for University Advancement, points to Jill Rinne as a prime example. Jill was looking for a respectable university who would handle her donation with care. John Jones saw potential for the gift to be the first of its kind for the new engineering program on campus. Her gift is given in honor of her former husband, Larry Wedetz, an engineer and philanthropist from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jill said Larry would be excited to give to an engineering program where spiritual formation was also an emphasis. Furthermore, Jill appreciated John Jones’ efforts to maximize her gift. IWU is thankful for people who are listening, learning, and leading with generous gifts to help students begin their own quest in listening, learning, and leading. 20
LARRY WEDETZ Engineer and Philanthropist from Fort Wayne, Indiana
Voices of IWU “Voices of IWU,” a video campaign, began producing in early 2023 to share the voices of the people which make up the IWU community. Over the course of seven months, these videos featured many IWU students, faculty, and staff who addressed IWU’s mission, values, the importance of Biblical authority, Christlikeness, diversity, the local church, servant leadership, and vision. Through the video series IWU communicates a clear and collective message about what matters most to the university from the voices of IWU.
KAREN DOWLING Vice President Kingdom Diversity & Intercultural Integration
Watch Voices of IWU
CONVERSATIONS AROUND DIVERSITY
IWU also demonstrates love for all people through diversity education and opportunities. One successful pathway is an IWU National & Global monthly online meeting called “So You Want To Talk About It…” which is faculty driven for the purpose of listening to student needs and issues, conducting research surrounding those issues, then inviting all N&G students to join in on their conversation. “So You Want To Talk About It…” Meeting Topics: • How History Impacts Us • Columbus Day? Indigenous Peoples Day? • Growing Together • Christmas Traditions: Past, Present and Future • Pass the Baton- It’s Your Turn: A Call to Action • Getting REAL about Black History Month • Impactful Women: Who Inspires You? • Does Displaced Ever Become Belonging? • Disability Pride Month… Barriers Along the Way
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President’s Report 2023
Partnerships & Pathways
Learning the Way Ahead Partnerships Making partnership connections begins with listening to problems needing solved, and then learning how to solve those problems to ultimately create a product that can achieve the solution. IWU also looks at offerings already available to match problems and then can package education pathways to solve issues they are attentive to. Sometimes, partnerships strike because one person connects with another and conversations begin, listening begins, and partnerships are born. Andy Miller, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment and Partnerships says, “We have such a good brand, people respect what we are doing.”
David Horsager & Trust Edge: As the CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute and a Trust Expert at High Point University, Indiana Wesleyan invited Horsager to speak at the 2023 Spring commencement and gifted him an honorary doctorate degree. IWU will implement Trust Edge Leadership Institute classes through the DeVoe School of Business to offer additional certifications recognized globally as leading ethical training for business leaders.
Portland Bible College: Rangy Thomas serves on the board at Portland Bible College, an unaccredited institution. Through our connection with Rangy and through the Bridge Initiative, we created a thoughtful plan to offer an accredited degree to incoming freshmen who can complete classes at Portland Bible College and IWU for a dual degree.
Republic Airways: The partnership between Republic Airways and IWU results in students graduating with an Associate of Science in Aviation Operations and FAA certification as an Aircraft Dispatcher. The opportunity aids Republic Airways employees by making a college degree attainable and attracts new students to IWU through the possibility of a degree and career in non-pilot aviation. 22
Pathways Innovation launches when partnerships become pathways to education. During the last fiscal year, existing pathways saw incredible growth and strategies for new pathways are on the President’s desk for possible future implementation. Not only does IWU enjoy unique academic growth through innovative pathways, but enrollment numbers increase, ensuring IWU can continue the trajectory of including more people, partnerships, and pathways in the future.
Vesta: The Vesta program works with external companies to attract international students to U.S. jobs and place them as students with us. The job placement offers experience and funds the student’s education while the education supports their growth and F1 visa.
Bridge Initiative: IWU partners with local organizations like churches or school districts to offer affordable, flexible education options. These pathways help those wanting to level up in their occupation to become students when education is not easily accessible.
Talent Ladder: The partnership between IWU and Talent Ladder brings education to the workplace, providing a broad range of skills training. • Matches the vision and implementation of Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Workforce Development Project • New course offerings through Indiana Manufacturer’s Association launched in the spring of 2023 created an education pathway for almost half a million of Indiana manufacturing employees. • A new Mobile Career Lab takes these education pathway opportunities to people in underserved neighborhoods and workplaces 23
President’s Report 2023
Ways to Pray for
Indiana Wesleyan University 1.
Pray for IWU to stay missionfocused on providing a Christcentered holistic education. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.” 1 Corinthians 15:58a
2.
Pray for our students — that they would know and experience spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness while attending IWU. “May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23b
3.
Pray for our students — that they would discover their mission for the Kingdom, whether it be in the secular marketplace of ideas, or fulltime ministry. “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” 2 Peter 1:10
4.
Pray for our faculty/staff/ administration — that they would know and experience a deep inner strength and wisdom as they reach and mentor our students. “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:28
5.
Pray for our board of trustees — as servant leaders — that they would know and experience a very real sense of God’s leading toward the future direction of IWU. “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3b
6.
Pray that God would continue to connect IWU to people, foundations, and entities that can be a generous source of support for all our initiatives. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
7.
Pray that God will continue to speak to the hearts of our legislators, political leaders, and judges to make decisions that do not threaten our religious freedoms and liberties as Christians, and as a Christian institution. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19
8.
Pray for revival to sweep our country “Will you no revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Psalm 85:6
PRAYING FOR IWU
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President’s Report 2023
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