While campus grows, community engaged by its graduates, services
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On Friday, October 30, Indiana University Kokomo Chancellor Mark Canada delivered an engaging presentation during “Business Matters: The State of the Campus,” highlighting the university’s continued growth, academic accomplishments, and significant impact throughout the region.
Canada articulated the importance of IU Kokomo as a standout regional campus within the Indiana University system, emphasizing not only the opportunities it provides students but also the valuable role it plays in strengthening the local workforce, supporting businesses, and contributing to the overall quality of life in the surrounding communities.
Among the highlights was the university’s continued enrollment growth. IU Kokomo welcomed 614 new first-year students this fall, an increase of 4.1 percent and its first incoming class exceeding 600 students since 2020. Academic excellence was another point of emphasis, with the nursing program reporting a 92-percent, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, surpassing the national average of 86.7 percent. Additionally, the School of Business recently received another six-year reaccreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), one of the highest distinctions in business education.
The university’s commitment to connecting students with real-world opportunities was also evident in the September 2026 Cougar Career Fair. The event brought together 207 students, 69 employers and seven graduate school programs. Following the event, 75 percent of participating students reported greater awareness of career opportunities, 92 percent said they strengthened their communication skills, and 94 percent discovered a broader range of potential careers.
Through the Kokomo Experience and You (KEY), students are also gaining valuable experiences beyond the classroom. During the 2025-26 academic year, 375 students participated in KEY experiences, including internships, research, competitions, simulations and projects with local businesses, nonprofits and government agencies. The KEY Center for Innovation provides another opportunity for students to apply their education while helping address real-world challenges faced by regional organizations.
Canada also highlighted the accomplishments of IU Kokomo graduates and student-athletes. The university’s athletics programs have collectively recorded 107 national tournament appearances, 58 conference championships, 41 All-Americans, and four national championships. Equally impressive is the academic performance of its athletes, who maintain a combined 3.3 team GPA, with every program exceeding a 3.0.
The presentation further emphasized the university’s affordability and value. Approximately $8,400 covers one year of tuition, and 50 percent of IU Kokomo students graduate without debt. Additionally, 92 percent of graduates who responded to surveys reported working in Indiana, demonstrating the university’s role in developing and retaining Hoosier talent.
The relationship between IU Kokomo and the community extends well beyond its classrooms. Indiana residents can obtain free library cards and access campus resources, while the university’s art gallery, observatory, athletics events, and Havens Auditorium provide opportunities for community engagement.
Survey results reinforce that connection, with 89 percent of community respondents agreeing that IU Kokomo actively engages with community partners and enhances quality of life. Furthermore, 85 percent indicated they would hire an IU Kokomo student or graduate.
Ultimately, Canada’s presentation offered a compelling look at a university that continues to grow while remaining deeply connected to the region it serves. With more than 80 years of service behind it, IU Kokomo is demonstrating that its impact reaches far beyond the campus, helping prepare the next generation of leaders, professionals and community contributors.