Indianapolis, IN (January 2015) – IUPUI’s newly established Degree Completion Office (DCO) will be hosting an open house on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at their offices in the Walker Plaza building located at 719 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana. The Degree Completion Office was launched in July 2014 and is part of the Division of Undergraduate Education, also launched in July 2014, which is aligned with the IUPUI Strategic Plan.
The open house will be divided into two events. The first event, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., is targeted for the campus community and Kathy E. Johnson, Associate Vice Chancellor for the Division of Undergraduate Education, will be speaking. The second, held from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. is planned for the business community with guest speaker Dr. Nasser Paydar, IUPUI’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer.
Alison Bell, director of the Degree Completion Office, states, “The Degree Completion Office provides services to central Indiana students returning to complete [their] college degree by providing a holistic array of services that are tailored to the unique needs of that population.” Most adult learners have been out of college for more than two years and have a high need and willingness to learn. They have a desire to utilize their practical experience in ways that can complement and enhance [their] degree. Many have full-time jobs and families, and because they have been working and managing life, Bell notes, “[They] want some credit for what they know.”
The Degree Completion Office serves as a concierge, wrap-around service model for returning adult learners from admissions and career advising to coaching and peer mentoring. Bell stated that the adult learner “wants to know what’s expected, and [they’ll] do it.” Innovative academic practices with flexible scheduling accelerate the adult learner’s progress.
Further information can be found on the Degree Completion Office website, complete.iupui.edu, or by calling 317-278-7600.
For more information, contact Harriett Bennett at 317-274-5036 or emailhbennett@iupui.edu.