New Dean named for technology, public services programs at Ivy Tech Bloomington

Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus has named Sarah Cote as the new Dean over technology programs in the School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science and programs in the School of Public Affairs and Social Services. She previously served as Professor of Biology and Department Chair of Biology and Biotechnology. Her new role will begin July 6, 2021.
 
The Schools include the biotechnology program, where students train for a variety of careers in the local life science manufacturing and pharma-industry. Also included is the automotive technology program, which operates in a new, state of the art facility located at the Monroe County Airport, as well as human services, which prepares graduates for careers in social work and mental health service.

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“I am looking forward to supporting our students and the community by strengthening our relationships with both industry and K-12 partners,” Cote said. “An immediate area of focus in my new role is to fulfill our need for a full time HVAC faculty member, as well as part time faculty in industrial technology and robotics.”
 
Chancellor Jennie Vaughan says that Cote has been instrumental in forming partnerships, aligning career opportunities, and securing resources. “Sarah has a record of growing a pipeline of career-ready workers for local industry,” she said. “With Sarah at the helm of two of our Schools, we look forward to forming new industry and career connections in our auto repair, HVAC, and robotics programs, to name a few.”
 
Recently, Cote sourced and dedicated a new Biology Outdoor Learning Lab at the Indiana Center for the Life Sciences, on Ivy Tech’s main campus property. Biology students and partners will cultivate the outdoor classroom over the next three to five years and will include native gardens, a bee hive, wooded trails, a pond, picnic pavilion, and a variety of community engagement programs. The Outdoor Learning Lab is located on Profile Parkway and can be visited along the Karst Farm Trail on the City’s westside.
 
In 2016, Cote was awarded with the statewide Ivy Tech President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction, among 19 campus nominees from around the state. It is the college’s highest honor it bestows upon faculty.
 
Cote holds a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech in Entomology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from The Ohio State University. She began her career at Ivy Tech in 2003.
 
Ivy Tech Bloomington offers a variety of tuition-free certification programs in technology through Indiana’s Next Level Jobs, paid for by the Workforce Ready Grant. For more information about tuition-free programs or to get started, call (812) 330-6013, email askBloomington@ivytech.edu, or stop by campus at 200 Daniels Way. Classes begin August 18.