It started small, but Ivy Tech Community College’s Associate Accelerated Program just keeps getting bigger and better.
Now in its third year at Gary’s Ivy Tech Lake County campus, the Associate Accelerated Program, known as ASAP, is seeing its largest cohort yet, with 17 students representing eight high schools. For some of them, the program, which allows students to earn a liberal arts associate of science degree in less than a year, was the tipping point in their choice to attend Ivy Tech.
“I can get a two-year degree in 11 months,” Carissa Cantu, of Hobart, said. “It’s a great opportunity to get ahead and set myself apart.”
Cantu, who hopes to go into social work or teaching, said she would not be attending Ivy Tech if it weren’t for ASAP. “It’s harder than I expected. I didn’t think the homework assignments would pile up like they do,” she said. “You definitely have to prioritize time to be successful.”
Jordyn Williams, also of Hobart, called it a “challenge,” but added, “I’m used to doing multiple activities at the same time.” She aspires to be a dietitian or fitness trainer.
“It’s very difficult but very worth it because of how good my future will be after this program,” Hobart High School grad David Cruz said.
Cruz, who participated in football, swimming and track in high school, hopes to become a sports analyst. He said when his guidance counselor told him about ASAP, it “sounded too good to be true.”
“I would not be here if it weren’t for this program,” he said.
ASAP targets students planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Admission requirements include at least a 2.5 GPA, good school attendance and a recommendation from a teacher or counselor. Students must complete a separate ASAP application and sit for an interview. Once accepted, they are allowed to work only on weekends.
Classes for the cohort begin in June and end the following May. ASAP enrollees take all their courses together at the Gary location. All classes last eight weeks, with the exception of the 16-week math and biology courses.
“It’s very exciting to see how much this program is growing, reaching new heights and positively changing lives,” said Katrina Hudson, ASAP regional coordinator. “Every student that has successfully completed the program has been accepted to every four-year college they have applied to: private, public and out of state. This year we have reached our highest number of incoming students, and I’m very excited about their future success and the overall growth of this program.”
Hammond resident Ricardo Andrade sees ASAP as a shortcut to a bachelor’s degree on his way to a career in construction management.
“I hadn’t been thinking about Ivy Tech at all,” he said, “but ASAP was the deciding factor in my coming here. It’s way more work than high school, but I’m happy I made this decision.”
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