Higher education has role in NWI’s past, future

Since 1859, when Valparaiso University — the Region’s oldest university — was founded, higher education has played a vital role in bolstering Northwest Indiana’s success and contributing to the region’s character and resiliency.

Over time, as our Region has developed a robust set of diverse institutions, with nearly 10 colleges and universities from private to public, granting associate’s, professional and doctoral degrees, residents of the Region have myriad educational resources and opportunities from which to benefit.

Offering programs in business, health care, engineering, liberal arts and many other fields, Northwest Indiana’s colleges and universities are well equipped to help individuals meet a wide variety of educational and occupational goals.

And these goals are achievable for a diverse population of students, both traditionally aged and nontraditional alike. Today, students are able to learn through a wide range of locally delivered daytime, evening, online and weekend programs.

In addition, all of Northwest Indiana’s higher education institutions — from the nationally ranked private college like Valparaiso University to Ivy Tech Community College — emphasize access to affordable education for all, including those who have been historically underrepresented in colleges and universities.

These affordable educational options allow individuals from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds greater potential for career advancement and increased wages, in turn, elevating the Region’s overall well-being and success.

While the direct benefits of quality education help shape both individual and the Region’s economic success, many indirect benefits also make a positive impact. For example, higher education institutions across the Region collectively employ thousands of highly sought faculty and staff from around the world. Consequently, these faculty and staff also contribute to the Region’s economy and help support our communities and schools through volunteer activities, charitable contributions, taxes and consumer spending.

In addition, these talented people bring a wealth of experiences with them, providing our communities with diverse perspectives and many learning opportunities outside of the classroom through university- and college-sponsored programs, lectures and panels, art exhibits, music and theater productions, and more. Valpo, in addition, brings the thrill of NCAA Division I sports to the Region, one of many activities that contribute to the quality of life in Northwest Indiana.

Our Region also benefits greatly from the collaboration and interconnectedness that exists between its colleges and universities. This is perhaps one of the most important benefits, as this collegial network promotes research and discussion that directly impacts the community.

From improving the Region’s beaches, creeks and streams to collaboration regarding community and race relations, the strong regional network intentionally brings people together to face some of the most pressing changes for the Region, the country and the world.

In addition to this collaboration, each college and university within the Region provides its own respective spaces and forums to foster moral and ethical behavior in public and corporate life and to bring community members together to encourage dialogue across difference.

With each passing year, higher education institutions bring increased benefits to Northwest Indiana. As we look to the future, colleges and universities will play an even greater role to attract employers, develop an educated workforce and contribute to the cultural fabric of our region.

Northwest Indiana’s future is filled with extraordinary potential, and the more we continue to leverage the inherent power in all of the Region’s colleges and universities, the brighter our future will be.