Before a single graduate walks across the stage, a great deal of work is already in motion.

Five hours before commencement is set to begin at 2 p.m. in the Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, volunteers start arriving. Throughout the day, around 120 volunteers – comprised of campus staff and faculty – split into an assortment of teams, from grad check-in to the tear-down crew, often staying as late as 7 p.m.

At Ivy Tech Indianapolis, commencement is not just a ceremony that appears fully formed on one special day. It is the result of months of planning, coordination, communication, and care from a team of staff and faculty members who help make sure graduates can shine.

Meet the people behind the effort to turn a big occasion into a memorable celebration below.

Their roles are different, but their purpose is shared.

They are all working toward the same goal: giving students and families a day that feels meaningful, joyful, and worthy of the students' hard work to get here.

Aly Parrish

Senior Director of Events

How many years have you helped with commencement?

This is my fourth commencement with Ivy Tech and my third leading the logistics.

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

There is a lot of hard work that goes into commencement; literal blood, sweat, and even a few tears, but our students deserve to have a wonderful event and memorable ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments! Once 2 p.m. hits and we give the green light to play “Pomp and Circumstance,” it truly makes it all worth it. I get chills every single time!

What would graduates and families be surprised to learn happens behind the scenes?

I think graduates and families would be surprised to know that we have over 100 incredible volunteers who make the day happen! Ivy Tech Indy truly rallies to support and show up for our grads!!

Julie Scholl

Executive Director of Marketing and Communications

What is your role in helping make commencement happen?

As executive director of marketing and communications, also overseeing the events team, I am a member of the core planning committee for commencement each year. We start meeting in the fall, and ramp up the frequency of our meetings and the number of committee members in the spring. The events team obviously has a HUGE hand in the organization and execution of our “biggest day of the year,” but the marketing and communications (M&C) team does, too. I oversee the tasks that fall to these teams, but mainly M&C. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, scriptwriting, speech guidance, social media inclusion, photography/videography, and any graphic design needs associated with commencement.

How many years have you helped with commencement?

This will be my fourth commencement at Ivy Tech Indianapolis.

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

When I see our graduates come off the stage with diploma in hand, and they are beaming. And, as they scan the audience for their family and friends, and when they lock eyes with them and hold their diploma high for all to see, THAT is the moment. It’s such an emotional moment to witness, and you can visibly see and feel the pride and culmination of their years of hard work finally paying off.

What would graduates and families be surprised to learn happens behind the scenes?

The core planning committee starts planning for the next year's commencement only three months after we celebrate the big day. So, we are hard at work by September of the previous fall.

Callie Smith

Sr. Administrative Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs

What is your role in helping make commencement happen?

I coordinate the logistics for Academic Affairs (AA), including deans, chairs, and faculty. I ensure all faculty have appropriate regalia, communicate with the AA team, verify degree information, assist in coordinating volunteers and faculty, and manage faculty on the day of commencement.

How many years have you helped with commencement?

Four.

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

 One of the best parts of commencement is watching the family members in the audience cheer for their graduate when they walk across the stage. The laughter, the joy, and the tears that are shown in support of that student are truly inspiring.

What would graduates and families be surprised to learn happens behind the scenes?

Behind the scenes, there have been missing cords, lost caps, misplaced flags, emotional moments, technology failures, and months of planning, but it is all worth it to watch our graduates take this meaningful next step in their journey.

Jessica Flory

Assistant Registrar / Graduation Analyst

What is your role in helping make commencement happen?

I am the data side of things. I process graduation applications and review audits to ensure students either complete their degrees or are on track to do so. My team and I are responsible for mining for student credentials and pinning those for graduation. We also update and maintain the Tassel system that we use to have students register for the Commencement ceremony.

How many years have you helped with commencement?

This is my third commencement year, and I’ve been here about two and a half years.

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

 Seeing the students' excited faces in the line to check in makes it all worthwhile.

What would graduates and families be surprised to learn happens behind the scenes?

Students would be surprised to know how much of the process is manual and time-consuming. I am exhausted by the time we are done!

Lisa Hardin

Assistant Director of Operations for the Chancellor & COO

What is your role in helping make commencement happen?

I serve on the commencement committee for the Indy campus and the statewide committee. I am the liaison for the chancellor, cabinet, trustees and other government officials who may be attending and provide communication to them as to their roles for commencement. I provide all necessary information to the Systems Office (Ivy Tech's parent-level) for honorary degree recipients and commencement speakers. On commencement day, I am in the green room, assisting with regalia, lining up, and keeping stage participants on schedule for the day's activities.

How many years have you helped with commencement?

This is my third year helping with commencement.

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

It brings me so much joy to see the graduates celebrating with their families and friends. The smiles, excitement, and pride they have for their accomplishments at the end of the day make every minute of the planning and execution so worthwhile!

What would graduates and families be surprised to learn happens behind the scenes?

I think they would be surprised to know just how many people collaborate and how often they communicate in order to make this happen.

Megan Porter

Academic Advisor - Health Sciences & Nursing

What is your role in helping make commencement happen?

Since this is my first year working on the commencement committee, I have taken a backseat role to learn the different processes, with the goal of being an active member next year.

How many years have you helped with commencement?

This is my first year working on the committee.

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

 I previously worked at Purdue University as an intern on the commencement event planning committee. Now, I advise students for highly competitive, selective admission programs. Helping students walk across the stage after all their hard work really puts the everyday work into perspective.

Dr. Niki Fjeldal

Vice Chancellor of Student Success

What is your role in helping make commencement happen?

My role in planning commencement is very minor compared to the role everyone else [on the committee] plays. That being said, I love commencement!

My role in commencement focuses on everything leading up to the day, shaping the vision for events like Are You Ready to Graduate? and the Graduate Fair, coordinating communications between student success and the registrar to ensure students apply and are truly ready, and partnering with advising, career coaching, and the registrar so students feel prepared, supported, celebrated, and have a clear plan for what comes next.

How many years have you helped with commencement?

Three.

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

 I love watching each student walk across the stage and knowing the unique journey it took to get them there, but the moment that truly gives me chills is when everyone turns their tassels together. It’s this powerful, emotional shift from perseverance to accomplishment that makes every bit of behind-the-scenes work feel meaningful.

Jessica Dittmer

Event Coordinator

What is your role in helping make commencement happen?

I help make commencement happen by ensuring all orders are placed and vendors are taken care of from the business order standpoint.

How many years have you helped with commencement?

This will be my second commencement with Ivy Tech Indianapolis!

What moment during commencement makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for you?

From the moment we walk into the Coliseum, I feel the energy of excitement radiating from the graduates. That is what truly makes all the behind-the-scenes work worth it for me— to see our graduates gathered to be celebrated and recognized for their hard work and dedication to their futures.