EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College’s new president’s 65th day went about like the rest of his days at Ivy Tech since his official first day July 1.
He listened.
Ivy Tech Evansville welcomed Dr. Marty Pollio, the 10th president of Indiana’s statewide community college system, to campus yesterday (Aug. 27) as part of his “100 Days of Listening, Learning and Leading” plan. The plan is designed to build relationships with students, faculty, staff and community partners across the state and chart a clear path forward for Dr. Pollio as he ensures Ivy Tech’s alignment with Indiana’s educational and workforce goals.
Dr. Pollio spent Wednesday afternoon and evening in listening sessions with the Evansville campus faculty, staff and area community members, gathering information about what’s working, what could be improved, and suggestions for Indiana’s Community College.
“We appreciated the opportunity to connect employees and community members with Dr. Pollio to provide feedback on what is working well and what we need to do to forge the future. These listening sessions are invaluable in ensuring Ivy Tech continues to serve our communities and change the lives of our students,” said Chancellor Daniela Vidal.
Pollio shared that among the many things he is learning on his campus visits, his top desire is a “focus on quality and customer satisfaction.”
“As Indiana’s community college and workforce engine, Ivy Tech must stay closely connected to the people and communities we serve,” said Dr. Pollio. “Listening directly to students, employers, and community partners helps us better understand their evolving needs and challenges and ensures we deliver education and training that meet today’s demands and anticipate tomorrow’s opportunities.”
Dr. Pollio started visiting campuses and communities in the southern part of the state prior to his official start date of July 1, 2025.
As president of Ivy Tech, Dr. Pollio serves as the chief executive officer of Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution, which enrolled more than 200,000 students in the 2024-25 academic year. Dr. Pollio champions the implementation of Higher Education at the Speed of Life, the College’s strategy to deliver 50,000 annual credential completions aligned with the needs of Indiana’s workforce. He leads a team of nearly 7,000 faculty and staff across the College’s 19 campuses in Indiana and online and oversees major institutional initiatives that strengthen academic quality and improve student retention, completion, employment and transfer outcomes.
Dr. Pollio joined the College on July 1, 2025, after a nationally recognized tenure as superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), one of largest urban public school districts in the United States. In his eight years of leadership, JCPS increased its high school graduation rate and nearly doubled its postsecondary readiness rate while reducing achievement gaps.
Central to Dr. Pollio’s educational philosophy is a deep commitment to preparing students for success at work and in life. At JCPS, he directed the Academies of Louisville, a nationally recognized initiative that embedded career pathways into the high school experience. He previously led similar efforts while serving as principal of Jeffersontown and Doss high schools, where he drove improvements in student achievement by bridging academic instruction with hands-on, work-based learning opportunities.
Dr. Pollio holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Indiana University, a Master of Science in health education from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and Management from the University of Louisville. He took office on July 1, 2025.
