Kokomo Thriving Center draws a crowd

Indiana Wesleyan’s renewed commitment kicks off with ribbon cutting, leadership seminar

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More than 100 local leaders, business owners, and educators gathered on Sept. 21 to celebrate the re-branding of Indiana Wesleyan University’s Kokomo Thriving Center. The event represented a renewed commitment from the school to serve the community as it never has before.

“This has been a long time coming, but it is by no means a new venture as far as Indiana Wesleyan University being in Kokomo,” said Liz Kerns, Director of Venture Development. “But the Kokomo Thriving Center is our re-invention and re-identification, bringing programs to help the community thrive.

“There has been a huge shift in everything that we are doing here, from professional development to the programs that we are bringing forward, like life coaching and addictions counseling and so many more.”

Kerns spoke to the crowd and thanked the university and the community for their support, as well as the contractors that assisted in the physical rebranding of the building. She then introduced Dr. Eileen Hulme, chancellor of IWU National and Global.

“We are thrilled that you are here to celebrate with us,” said Hulme. “We have been in Kokomo for years. We used to be downtown. But a lot of what we have done is say, ‘We’ll build it; you come.’ Our message now is, ‘We want to come to you.’ We want to be helpful in any way we can in Kokomo, whether that is offering life coaching or handling addictions, leadership, working in partnership.

“We believe the future of Indiana Wesleyan is built on partnerships, so we believe today is a great day to begin that. But this is just the beginning, the first of what we want to do. We hope to see you often at the Kokomo Thriving Center.”

With that, the crowd gathered to cut the ribbon in front of the building. Many attendees then went inside to participate in the Thriving Center’s first Local Learn and Lead event, featuring “Six Points of Power,” by Dr. Theresa Veach.

The Kokomo Thriving Center of IWU provides many levels of educational opportunities, from professional development seminars and workshops to certificate and micro-credential programs. Each offering is designed with the working adult in mind.

The Thriving Center also offers access to more traditional educational opportunities, such as associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. There are three hybrid programs in which the Thriving Center will specialize: an Academic Certificate in Life Coaching; a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Services with a Life Coaching specialization; and a Bachelor’s of Science in Addictions Counseling.

Individual courses are five weeks long, combining online learning with at least one on-site class meeting for each course. Many of the instructors are also working full-time in their fields, bringing real-world experience to the classroom.

The Kokomo Thriving Center also provides meetings spaces for local businesses, organizations, and churches. For additional information about the Thriving Center and its programs, contact Liz.Kerns@indwes.edu.