The Region News

Ivy Tech Community College Appoints Three Staff Members to Lead Workforce Development Efforts

Ivy Tech Community College today announced the appointment of three staff members to key leadership roles that will impact the College’s statewide operations, specifically around workforce development.

Molly Dodge, formerly the chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Madison campus, will now serve as senior vice president of workforce and careers. Matthew Connell will serve as the vice president of healthcare, joining Ivy Tech from the State College of Florida where he served as dean of nursing and health professions. Shabbir Qutbuddin now serves as assistant vice president for the School of IT for workforce and careers. He was previously the director of IT sector partnership at Ivy Tech’s South Bend-Elkhart campus.

“Filling these three positions was critical to ensure Ivy Tech continues our laser focus on workforce development,” Ivy Tech President Dr. Sue Ellspermann said. “Ivy Tech’s workforce mission has never been more important than it is today as employers are experiencing workforce shortages and we have the opportunity to attract students to programs in high wage, high demand careers which both support Indiana’s economy and Hoosier prosperity.”

In her new role, Dodge will work with employers across the state to ensure the College has the programs and capacity to fill the State’s workforce pipeline. Additionally, she will oversee the College’s partnership with the Indiana Department of Correction.

“I am excited to work with President Ellspermann and our faculty and staff to further enhance the College’s offerings to quickly skill up Hoosiers with shorter-term microcredentials, certificates and associate degrees that seamlessly transfer to our four-year partners,” Dodge said. “Working with the Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana General Assembly will make Indiana the best State to compete successfully in the global economy.”

With over 18 years’ experience in higher education, healthcare, and business process, Connell will build on the existing momentum of the College’s work in the healthcare sector and with the expansion of the College’s nursing program.

“It’s evident that Ivy Tech has made great strides in the healthcare field, from partnering with healthcare providers to their advocacy at the Statehouse to advance critical healthcare legislation,” said Connell. “I look forward to working with my teammates to continue this work and finding new ways to keep healthcare at the forefront for our stakeholders and employer partners statewide.”

Qutbuddin, whose time at Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart included training, work-based learning, professional development, career services, and community engagement initiatives, will focus on realigning the School of IT.

“We know that Indiana is seeing an increased demand for IT professionals, and Ivy Tech is uniquely positioned to meet that need,” said Qutbuddin. “In this role, I hope to continue elevating Ivy Tech’s IT programs and establishing partnerships that offer students across our state opportunities to excel as IT professionals, whether that’s through a credential, certification, or degree.”

For more information about Ivy Tech programs and initiatives, visit www.ivytech.edu. 

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information.

Molly Dodge serves as senior vice president of workforce, careers, and adult strategy at Ivy Tech Community College. Prior to her most recent appointment, she served as chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College in Madison, Indiana. A visionary leader with the drive to activate positive change, Dodge served in dual roles as director of adult education and director of the Clearinghouse and special projects at the Madison-based, non-profit River Valley Resources, Inc. (RVR) prior to her role as chancellor. As clearinghouse director, she created a multi-tenant nonprofit center focused on the provision of employment and wrap around services to families living in poverty. In her role as director, Dodge spearheaded a capital campaign to raise $2M to purchase and renovate a building and recruited tenants and needed services to the facility.

Dodge holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Hanover College, a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and a Master of Public Administration, Nonprofit Management Concentration, from Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Dodge serves as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services. She has been recognized for her professional contributions as a recipient of the Community Partner of the Year Award presented by the Indiana National Association of Social Workers; one of three recipients of the “She Knows Where She is Going” award presented by Girls Inc; and a recipient of the Young Alumni Achievement Award from Hanover College.

Matthew Connell, MPT, is a dynamic executive professional with over 18 years of experience coordinating higher education, healthcare, and business processes. Mr. Connell is an experienced leader with a track record of successfully directing cross-functional teams, managing continuous improvement operations, and leading change management efforts. Mr. Connell is an educator, professional trainer, consultant, and professional speaker.

Originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Connell earned his undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and a master of Physical Therapy degree from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. Mr. Connell is pursuing his doctorate in leadership at University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Mr. Connell joins Ivy Tech after serving for the past three years as dean of nursing & health professions, and campus administrator at State College of Florida (SCF) in Bradenton, FL. Prior to his deanship, he served as director of the SCF Physical Therapist Assistant Program from 2011 to 2019.

Mr. Connell remains committed to cultivating cultures built upon providing opportunities for access, empowerment, and growth. In 2017 he launched Connell Consulting Solutions, a leadership and business operations consulting firm for healthcare providers. Mr. Connell combines evidence-based solutions with best practices and his years of knowledge from various sectors to create valuable tools for his clients. Mr. Connell is a member of numerous state and national organizations and serves on several community advisory boards.

Shabbir Qutbuddin was previously director of IT sector partnership at Ivy Tech South Bend-Elkhart. He pursued his master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Purdue University and his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology. As the director of IT sector partnership, he created the Six Steps to Success training program that enrolled more than 200 students. He also developed various work-based learning pathways, organized tech events, produced a job search video series, and proposed the employability/workplace skills training.

He has served on the Young Professionals Network, LIFT Internship Committee, and the Elkhart Technology Council. Within Ivy Tech,  he has been involved in several leadership initiatives and independent projects. Recently, he was the recipient of the 2022 Michiana Forty Under 40.

Original source can be found here.