Dr. David Bathe, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette, has been appointed by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to the Commission for Small and Rural Colleges. The commission highlights innovative practices in small and rural colleges that can serve as models for other institutions. The commission also advises AACC on trends and issues that impact institutions in this sector, and makes suggestions on ways to address their unique needs.
Dr. Bathe joined Ivy Tech Lafayette in 1999 as Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, and was appointed Chancellor of the Lafayette campus in 2004. Prior to joining Ivy Tech, he served in academic leadership roles at community and two-year colleges in Indiana, Florida and Illinois.
Under his leadership at Ivy Tech, Dr. Bathe was instrumental in planning the Lafayette campus and developed sites in Crawfordsville, Monticello and Frankfort that serve those communities. He is responsible for the creation of several key programs including biotechnology, chemical technology and agriculture. The campus received the largest single cash gift to the college – the Griffin Endowment supporting health degree programs. In 2013, The Lafayette campus was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
Dr. Bathe earned a doctorate in history and master of science in history from Illinois State University, bachelor of science in social science from Greenville University, and an associate of science degree from Vincennes University. He serves on several boards including the Community College Alliance for Agriculture Advancement, the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network, Greater Lafayette Commerce, Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette, Art Museum of Greater Lafayette Foundation, the immediate past chair of the Indiana Campus Compact Board, the president of the City of Lafayette Economic Development Commission, and the vice president for finance of the National Council for Workforce Education. He was instrumental in developing Intersection Connection, a community partnership with the Lafayette Family YMCA, Franciscan Health, Junior Achievement, and IU Health. He is a former honorary commander of the 434th Operation Group, Grissom Air Reserve Base.
About Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. Ivy Tech is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. Ivy Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Ivy Tech Community College Lafayette serves Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Tippecanoe, Warren and White counties from the main campus in Lafayette and sites in Crawfordsville, Monticello and Frankfort. Ivy Tech Lafayette offers associate degrees and certificates in the areas of business, health sciences, computing, technology, nursing, public services, education, applied science, engineering technology, and liberal arts.
For more information, visit ivytech.edu.