Mentor is using skills learned at Purdue Global and Ivy Tech to prepare teens for success

Purdue Global, Ivy Tech, community leaders continue to build Pathways Partnership, workforce development

INDIANAPOLIS — Growing up in Demopolis, Alabama, Theo Gilmore Jr. was like most other kids, whose days were spent playing basketball, enjoying time with friends and his dad, and looking for a pathway to his dreams.

His dreams of pursuing an education and career in youth mentorship led him to Indianapolis and Ivy Tech. “I knew I wanted to work with kids,” he said. “I had to find a way to do something involving kids, so I enrolled at Ivy Tech looking at human services.”

Gilmore had a vision beyond his time spent at Ivy Tech, though. His vision fit into the Pathways Partnership developed by Ivy Tech and Purdue Global leaders, who were working to make Ivy Tech associate degrees 100% transferrable to Purdue Global for bachelor’s degrees.

At Ivy Tech, Gilmore’s studies centered around youth development. There, he thrived in the smaller, intimate classroom setting Ivy Tech provided that fostered connections between students and teachers, which allowed for in-depth learning experiences and personal growth. After earning an associate degree in human services from Ivy Tech, Gilmore briefly attended Calumet College of St. Joseph on an athletic and music scholarship.

But there was a constant reminder of a promise made to his father when he was younger that his studies weren’t yet complete. Enter Purdue Global, Purdue’s online university for working adults, to help him with his comeback.

Theo Gilmore Jr. (center) hosts a turkey giveaway in his hometown of Demopolis, Alabama. (Photo provided) Download image

Gilmore found the flexibility of Purdue Global’s online education a perfect fit for the working adult like himself. Many years of balancing basketball and books helped prepare him for the journey at Purdue Global.

“Growing up, my dad always told me business before pleasure. As long as you’re handling what you need to handle, you can go out and have your fun later,” Gilmore said.

Students like Gilmore benefit from the Pathways Partnership between Purdue Global and Ivy Tech, which provides more access to higher education and degrees for the 350,000 Indiana workers who have some college credit but no degree and 2 million working-age Hoosiers overall who have no postsecondary credentials.

Thanks to the Pathways Partnership, Gilmore had earned credit for prior learning at Ivy Tech. Because those credits were accepted, Purdue Global was able to eliminate a required course, thus reducing a term that Gilmore would have to spend taking additional courses.

“They provided all sorts of support for you. The teachers and professors were always reaching out and would work with you and that really helped a lot,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore’s success and experience at both Ivy Tech and Purdue Global prepared him for his role with Elevate Indianapolis, a nonprofit educational organization on Indianapolis’ east side.

Elevate Indianapolis employs mentors, like Gilmore, who build long-term, life-changing relationships with the city’s urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community. Gilmore mentors and works with youth at two schools within the Indianapolis Public Schools district.

The lessons learned along the way in his journey are helping him succeed in mentoring and teaching the youth of today and preparing them for tomorrow, both in Indianapolis and Demopolis. Every fall in Demopolis he hosts a turkey giveaway. By giving back to his hometown, he demonstrates the values instilled in him and the importance of community. 

“It taught me different ways of understanding how people work, different behaviors, and just being more empathetic to people because different people go through all types of things, so I always want to be one of those who try to encourage you along the way,” he said.

Through his experiences at both schools, Gilmore inspires students to continue their educational journeys, offering hope and encouragement during whatever challenges they may face. He believes that regardless of what someone might face, pushing through and finishing strong is always possible.

“I try to give them hope. I let them know that they’re going to go through some things; curveballs will come at you,” Gilmore said. “You can push through! It doesn’t matter where you come from, where you started at; you can finish and come out on top.”

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

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. More information is available at www.ivytech.edu.

Writer/Purdue Global media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu 

Sources: Theo Gilmore Jr., Julie Landaw