Chris Lowery was once named Indiana’s new upper training fee in March, coming into the publish at some of the difficult occasions in fresh reminiscence.
Lowery lately sat down with IndyStar to talk about his background, the demanding situations and alternatives forward. You’ll learn that complete interview right here.
Listed below are 5 issues to understand concerning the guy operating to get extra Hoosiers trained, whether or not it’s with a momentary certificates, credential or university stage.
Lowery is a first-generation university scholar
Lowery was once born and raised in Anderson and graduated from since-closed Highland Prime Faculty. His dad labored at Common Motors and his mother labored part-time, however was once essentially a homemaker.
He went on to check public affairs at Indiana College after growing an passion for politics whilst operating on the native pharmacy in highschool.
“Some of the proprietor’s spouse was once concerned about politics,” Lowery stated. “She stated ‘howdy, do you want to cross out those leaflets door-to-door and do you want to return to an match?’ I used to be beginning to get slightly little bit of a style and going, ‘wow, it is attention-grabbing getting to listen to those policymakers talk on problems that I have began to examine,’ after which made up our minds, neatly, perhaps that is what I will have to pursue.”
He frolicked in politics and personal trade
After graduating from IU, Lowery spent a 12 months in Washington, DC operating for then-Sen. Dan Quayle. He got here again to Indiana for paintings for then-Gov. Robert Orr and thinking about Orr’s training reform initiative. He was once later recruited to paintings on technique at Hillenbrand, the father or mother corporate of Batesville Casket, the place he spent 20 years in quite a lot of roles.
All through his time with Hillenbrand, Lowery stayed concerned about training operating for, and sooner or later main, the native college board.
He burns the candle at each ends
Lowery steadily works over 12 hour days, attending to the place of business whilst the general public are rolling away from bed and staying way past quitting time. He stated he objectives to get six hours of sleep each and every night time.
“It’s only a position, I feel, in lifestyles the place I will do this,” he stated. “It simply suits my lifestyles and for a few years I have been ready to search out nice pleasure within the paintings I have been allowed to do, whether or not it was once at Hillenbrand, whether or not it was once at Ivy Tech and is the case right here.”
Lowery stated that since his kids are each now adults and he’s splitting his time between Indianapolis and Batesville – the place he and spouse Jerilyn nonetheless take care of their circle of relatives house – paintings is how he loves to spend his time. However he doesn’t be expecting others to stay the similar hours.
He makes time for health and circle of relatives
Even with the lengthy hours on the place of business, Lowery stated he makes time to run, motorbike and do yoga. He credit his two times day-to-day yoga observe to his spouse, Jerilyn. He’s run one complete marathon and steadily runs shorter races. He and Jerilyn steadily host a New Yr’s Day 5k at their Batesville house.
“We have now had anyplace from 10 to 80 other people,” he stated. “We simply make it very amusing and reputable… and the one factor we do is ask other people to deliver meals for our native meals pantry.”
Other people misunderstand the worth of post-secondary training
Lowery and his workforce at ICHE are nonetheless reeling from the newest Faculty Readiness File, launched ultimate month. The fee reported the sharpest decline in Indiana’s college-going fee in fresh historical past. Running to get extra Hoosiers shifting from highschool to a few more or less post-secondary training is amongst his most sensible priorities, as helps adults with out an training past highschool get some more or less high-value credential or stage.
Some of the largest demanding situations, he stated, are misconceptions concerning the cost of post-secondary training.
“The truth of the subject is, in financial phrases and social phrases and in point of fact working out what the actual prices are, the results are excellent,” he stated. “That is in point of fact about people and their family members, , having the ability to thrive economically and socially, to have financial and social mobility.
“It is not simply one thing that we really feel is the reality, or we predict, or we want to be the case. It is completely the truth that the worth of coaching and training past a highschool degree is there.”
Name IndyStar training reporter Arika Herron at 317-201-5620 or e mail her at [email protected]. Practice her on Twitter: @ArikaHerron.
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