The Joyce Ivy Foundation Announces an Enrichment Communities Program

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN May 1, 2018 – The Joyce Ivy Foundation announces a new program of enrichment communities for Summer Scholars, alumnae, and their parents. The Communities Program is an extension of the Mentor Program, which was established in 2014.

The Joyce Ivy Foundation is introducing three continuing education opportunities through group and personal connections, which are new program opportunities. Each program connection utilizes multiple communication platforms such as Google Hangouts, conference calls, GroupMe and other online contacts. First, the eleven Mentor Program Circles link Summer Scholars and alumnae by state of residence and by summer pre-college program. Second, new Parent Circles connect parents of high school level alumnae with parents of college level alumnae. Third, the growing Guest Speaker Series provides continuing education webinars for high school level and college level alumnae, which are led by experienced alumnae and subject area experts.

“The goal of the Communities Program is to build upon the success of the Mentor Program which continues to develop with the leadership of fourteen Circle Leads,” said Sherryl A. Fletcher, Senior Director of Communities. “The Circle Leads are energetic and talented alumnae, parents, and friends of the Joyce Ivy Foundation who serve as volunteers to create positive networking relationships for all members of the alumnae and parent communities. I am thrilled that we have such an innovative team.”

The Joyce Ivy Foundation strives to provide comprehensive support that extends far beyond a Summer Scholar’s pre-college experience,” said Allison Jegla, Vice President for Program Development. “The Communities Program is perfectly aligned to this mission. It is a link between Scholars, parents, and alumnae that allows all parties to share resources and learn from each other. When a Scholar returns home from her summer program, there is a wealth of information and support that await her as a new member of the Joyce Ivy community.”

“As the Ohio Circle Lead, I spread information to fellow JIF alumnae hailing from Ohio in order to help them navigate the college search process, nail their college applications, give ideas on leadership development opportunities, and generally spark a conversation for the professional development of all involved,” said Haley Varnadoe, a 2014 Summer Scholar and current Centre College junior.

“The summer pre college program experience and college admissions process can seem daunting at times, and you may not even know where to begin. The Parent Circle conversations provide information throughout the junior and senior years of high school to make the process easier with advice and useful resources,” said Tammy Goerger, a North Dakota educator and Circle Lead for the Parent Circle. She is also the parent of Samantha Goerger, a 2013 Summer Scholar and sophomore at Princeton University.

Karen Conant, a longtime Missouri friend and supporter of the Joyce Ivy Foundation as well as the Co Lead for the Missouri/Nebraska Circle with Elizabeth Daugherty, JIF ‘13 and JHU ‘18, recently shared, ” I love the Joyce Ivy Foundation and am so proud to be involved! We need to continue to create community involvement for our scholars. I so hope I can engage more scholars from Missouri and Nebraska this year who will enjoy the benefits of mentoring for many years!”

Additional information about the Joyce Ivy Foundation Communities Program will be available on the Joyce Ivy website later this spring.