INDIANAPOLIS — WGU Indiana awarded the WGU Indiana Indy Women in Tech Scholarship in the amount of up to $10,000 to Liliana Varela-Rodriguez today at the 2018 Indy Women in Tech Summit. Rodriguez currently is a student in the IvyWorks program at Ivy Tech Community College. In addition, WGU Indiana awarded $2,000 scholarships to all three of the other scholarship applicants, Megan Dabney, Adenike Oriolowo, and Sophea Chhun. The university also announced the creation of a $2,000 WGU Indiana Women in Tech Scholarship for other women seeking to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a tech field.

“WGU Indiana is delighted to award these scholarships to help these students take the next step in their education and tech careers,” said WGU Indiana Chancellor Allison Barber. “Indiana employers desperately need qualified employees to fill tech jobs. WGU Indiana’s flexible, affordable degree programs make it possible for more women to earn the tech degrees and credentials they need to meet this workforce need. We’re joining IWiT and our great partner, Ivy Tech Community College, in our mutual commitment to offering women opportunities to enter and advance in tech careers in our state.”

“We congratulate these students on receiving the WGU Indiana Indy Women in Tech Scholarship and applaud the university for supporting their academic pursuits in tech fields,” said Jody Dedon, Executive Director of IWiT. “IWiT’s vision is to empower current and future generations of women in tech to meet the need of Indy’s growing tech workforce through strategic partnerships to support and mentor women. Fulfillment of that vision depends on the valuable support of businesses and institutions like Ivy Tech Community College and WGU Indiana. ”

“Ivy Tech is proud of our students in the IvyWorks program and thrilled that they have been recognized for their hard work and academic achievements,” said Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech. “More than 145,000 Hoosiers will be needed to fill information technology positions by 2024. Through our valuable partnerships with Indy Women in Tech and WGU Indiana, we are connecting more women with training for high-demand tech fields, ensuring they have the right skills to succeed in these careers and supplying Indiana businesses with the best talent.”

Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

IvyWorks is a program at Ivy Tech Community College designed to give students the support they need to earn industry-backed credentials. Through a partnership with Indy Women in Tech, the program helps women build a career in information technology. The program provides strategic professional development, business networking and wraparound support, so participants can earn their degree and excel in their career. More information can be found at www.ivytech.edu/ivyworks.

Indy Women in Tech (IWiT) is focused on inspiring women and girls to pursue STEM-related employment in Indiana by providing experience and training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.