Vincennes, Ivy Tech involved with new partnerships providing high school students direct path to their future

Governor Mike Braun announced today new partnerships with higher education, business and industry and the Indiana National Guard that will more efficiently connect Indiana high school students with their future goals.

Alongside Governor Braun for the announcement were Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner, members of the State Board of Education and other key partners involved in the high school diploma redesign process. 

“Quality education is key to a prosperous economic future for Indiana,” said Governor Braun. “Today, by working with our partners, including many in the private sector, we have an opportunity to not only improve outcomes for students statewide, but also strengthen our state economy for years to come.” 

These new partnerships deliver on Indiana’s commitment to ensure the high school experience provides the best outcomes for students by outlining a set of guarantees for students who earn Indiana’s new honors plus readiness seals. This will provide students a direct path from high school to their next steps, whether straight into a career, college, or serving our Nation. Below is an overview of the opportunities available to students beginning next school year for schools that opt-in and for all students beginning with the class of 2029:

• For students earning the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal
  • All seven of our state’s public colleges and universities and an increasing number of private institutions are guaranteeing automatic acceptance into their school for any student who applies and has successfully earned the enrollment plus seal. This includes:
    • Purdue University,
    • Indiana University,
    • Ivy Tech Community College,
    • Ball State University,
    • Indiana State University,
    • University of Southern Indiana and
    • Vincennes University.
    • Additional colleges and universities will continue to be added.
• For students earning the Employment Honors Plus Seal
  • Through the help of Ascend Indiana, students who earn the employment honors plus seal can receive dedicated career support. This includes helping students get connected through interviews with some of our state’s top employers.
  • Students who interview and have completed an employment seal will also be eligible for direct entry into the Central Midwest Carpenters Union apprenticeship.
  • State leaders are also actively working with Operating Engineers Local 150 to offer similar benefits in connection with their apprenticeship.
  • The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is actively recruiting businesses across the state to invite and encourage them to be part of this as well.
• For students earning the Enlistment Honors Plus Seal
  • Any student who completes the Enlistment and Service Honors Plus Seal will be uniquely qualified to join the Indiana National Guard and other military branches.
  • Once accepted to the National Guard, students can:
    • Earn college credits for completing training and reduce the time and cost required to complete a degree.
    • Gain direct access to veteran mentors, military career counselors, and college ROTC liaisons, who can provide college and career guidance
    • Access priority job placement programs designed for military professionals, offering job interviews for federal employment and private-sector roles where military experience is highly valued.

“Indiana is leading the way when it comes to redesigning the high school experience to ensure these four years are as valuable as possible for students, and I could not be more excited about the opportunity ahead to continue to grow our partnerships in this work,” said Dr. Jenner. “In many ways, the adoption of the final diploma rule was only the beginning of our journey, and today’s announcement is the logical next step as many of the same partners who helped us to develop the readiness seals are now solidifying their value for students. I want to thank Governor Braun for his leadership and also our partners for their unwavering commitment to Hoosier students. As we continue implementation of the new diploma, I look forward to growing our list of partners who want to ensure Hoosier students have a more seamless path to their future.”

Indiana’s new high school diploma requirements allow students to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and increase flexibility for students to personalize their journey, as well as increase access to both work-based learning and credentials of value. With this increased flexibility, the ability to add a readiness seal provides students with a transparent blueprint for success, whether they plan to continue their education after high school, go straight into a career, or serve in our Nation’s military.

After more than a year of stakeholder feedback, the SBOE unanimously approved the final high school diploma rule in December 2024. Per statute, Indiana’s current graduation requirements will sunset October 1, 2028, making the new diploma requirements effective for all students beginning with the class of 2029, or students currently in eighth grade. Schools may opt-in beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.