Couvson to speak at Ivy Tech's 'Doing the Dream'
Also, Karickhoff receives multiple awards for legislative work
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Dr. Monique Couvson, an award-winning author and social justice scholar, will serve as keynote speaker for Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo’s 20th anniversary of “Doing the Dream.” This annual event is designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to keep alive his commitment to justice, equity, and peace within our students and our community.
The traditional community banquet is set for Thursday, Jan. 25, in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus. On Friday, Jan. 26, Couvson will facilitate a community workshop that will bring together a select group of community and educational leaders to kick off an effort aimed at addressing concrete problems to achieve concrete solutions.
“We are excited that Dr. Couvson will join a list of prestigious leaders and thinkers we have had the honor of bringing to Kokomo over the last 20 years,” said Dr. Ethan Heicher, chancellor of Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area. Since the inception of the program, Doing the Dream speakers have included Holocaust survivor Eva Kor; noted historian Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.; actor and education champion Lavar Burton; now Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; and author, scholar and activist Cornell West.
“We look forward to bringing the community together to hear her challenging message as she leads us in identifying and addressing challenges in our communities,” he continued.
Couvson brings more than three decades of experience in the areas of education, civil rights, and juvenile and criminal justice. Her book, “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools,” will serve as the basis of the two-day community discussion.
“Our goal is to engage community and educational leaders to review experiences in race and gender and begin work on ways we can benefit from diversity and support equity in our schools,” Heicher said. “We hope to bring the community together for an inspiring message at the banquet and follow that with a workshop that is impactful and that sets us on a path to a better future for all our students.”
Tickets for the Jan. 25 banquet will go on sale Jan. 2. The event annually brings leaders from throughout the community together with the distinguished speaker to address issues of local, state and national importance. Individual tickets are $60 each and will be available until Jan. 20, unless sold out earlier. All proceeds support the Ivy Tech Kokomo “Doing the Dream” Diversity Scholarship. A virtual opportunity to hear the speaker via YouTube Live also will be available.
More information on banquet tickets as well as the virtual opportunity will be available Jan. 2 at this link: ivytech.edu/2024DoingtheDream .
Karickhoff receives recognition for work on key issues
State Rep. Mike Karickhoff recently received several awards over the summer interim recognizing his legislative work in several policy areas during the 2023 legislative session.
"I'm grateful to receive these recognitions," Karickhoff said. "As a state legislator, I'm committed to advocating for policy changes that build on Indiana's track record of success and give Hoosiers the best opportunity to succeed. Whether it's working to make sure Indiana and cities like Kokomo maintain a leading role in advanced manufacturing or helping improve education and health services, we're making advancements and I look forward to continuing the momentum."
Greater Indiana recognized Karickhoff with their Leadership in Public Service Award for authoring legislation that created the Indiana Electrical Vehicle Product Commission to address the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. House Enrolled Act 1168 was signed into law in 2021 and established a 10-member commission comprised of legislative representatives and industry leaders to evaluate current and future workforce needs and identify opportunities for industry growth.
Karickhoff received the Public Policy Champion of Philanthropy Award from the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance for authoring House Enrolled Act 1212, which helps secure the privacy rights of nonprofit donors.
The Indiana Association of School Psychologists presented Karickhoff with the Friend of School Psychology Award for helping expand Medicaid reimbursement coverage for school-based health services. According to Karickhoff, this change will help schools more adequately address student support services.
Karickhoff represents House District 30, which includes portions of Grant and Howard counties. To contact him directly with questions or input, constituents can call 317-234-9024 or email him at h30@iga.in.gov.