Alumna, Angela J. Nealy, M. S., Fisk University Class of 1983 
The Individual behind the (M.O.U.) Transfer Agreement between Fisk University located in Nashville, Tennessee & Ivy Tech Community College located in the State of Indiana

Angela J. Nealy, M. S. is a 1983 graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, TN with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Chemical Engineering at Vanderbilt University which is a dual degree program.

Ms. Nealy attended a lecture series hosted by Steward Speakers Lecture series where TJ Holmes was speaking on 29 January 2015. Ms. Nealy was instrumental in the creation of the lecture series with four other individuals as Matthew Steward was the lead on the lecture series in 1985. This particular lecture was held at Ivy Tech Community College at the Culinary Arts College. In attendance was Chancellor Dr. Kathleen F. Lee whom Ms. Nealy asked could she take a selfie with at the conclusion of the lecture.

Ms. Nealy followed up with Chancellor Lee in an email format where she requested an in person meeting based on Ms. Nealy’s word that she would send a copy of the selfie to Chancellor Lee.  In addition to the selfie Ms. Nealy researched the Ivy Tech Community College website and discovered that there was a desire on Ivy Tech’s behalf to begin an academic relationship with an HBCU.  Ms. Nealy decided in addition to keeping her word and following up with the selfie that she would also request an in person meeting which would be centered on developing the academic relationship with the second oldest HBCU, Fisk University.  The benefits to both institutions came in two forms. The first being that Fisk University could possibly have access to 180, 000 students who need to complete a Bachelors of Science at a four year institution through the transfer agreement. Secondly, the Fisk University students who are graduating with their Bachelor's or Master's could be employed at any of the 32 campuses in the state of Indiana.  If a monetary value were placed on the transfer agreement for the next ten years with an enrollment maximum of 1,500 students at Fisk University each academic year it nets out to an estimated one billion dollars.  

Fisk University has agreements with Meharry Medical and Dental School in the form of a seven year program between Fisk University and Meharry for the completion of a Dental  or Medical degree. That same agreement exists with Fisk University and Tufts Medical School.  There is also the opportunity to attend Pharmacy school at Howard University and the PhD, Bridge Nursing Program with Vanderbilt University. Finally many students take advantage of the Ph.D. program in Education with Tennessee State University as well.

The original conversation began with Angela J. Nealy, M.S., and Chancellor Dr. Kathleen F. Lee of Ivy Tech Community College Indiana Central Division.  The meeting began by exchanging academic backgrounds and places of birth, from there the conversation accelerated once Ms. Nealy unveiled all of the academic programs Fisk University had to offer and the history of the university. An hour into the meeting both agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) was definitely the next step. Chancellor Lee then called in the two Vice Chancellors,  Dr. Darrell Cain, PhD, Student Affairs and Dr. Frank Moman, PhD, Academic Affairs. The last 30 minutes of the hour and half meeting was spent in conversation about the next steps and who would be involved. Ms. Nealy committed to bringing V.P. Anthony E. Jones, Enrollment Management into the conference call that was to take place inside the next two weeks which occurred in March of 2015.   

Two weeks later Dr. Arnold Berger, Mr. Jason Harrison, V.P. Anthony E. Jones, Chancellor Dr. Kathleen F. Lee, Dr. Darryl Cain, Dr. Frank Moman and Ms. Nealy conducted a conference call where all agreed on the M.O.U. components which included the original two discussion points and the Fisk University admission requirements which included a minimum 2.5 GPA and an Associate’s degree in the sciences.  It was agreed that Dr. Burger would secure the M.O.U. draft from the Fisk University archives. He would complete the components on the Fisk University side then send to Dr. Lee for the final additions.  In May of 2015 the M.O.U. was complete and needed to be signed by both presidents of both institutions.   The signing took place but the change in president at Fisk University and the coming change in the president at Ivy Tech Community college caused the M.O.U. to go dormant.

In late April 2016 Ms. Nealy spoke about the M.O.U. at a public meeting with alumni and the interim President present.  Ms. Nealy serves on the Fisk Fund National Steering Committee (FFNSC) with Mrs. Robyn Sims who arranged for Ms. Nealy to meet with President Sims to discuss the details of the M.O.U. and its history.  After the meeting with President Sims the MOU, which was renamed the Transfer Agreement, was assigned to VP Dr. Jens Frederiksen to execute the 2016 -2017 academic year.  15 July 2016 Ms. Nealy met with Dr. Frederiksen and discussed the details of the MOU/Transfer Agreement and what needed to happen next.  A conference call was set up with Chancellor Dr. Kathleen F. Lee, Dr. Frederiksen, Dr. Cain, Dr. Moman, Dr. Berger and Mr. Jason Harrison along with Dr. Russell D. Baker who was added by the new President of Ivy Tech, Dr. Sue Ellspermann’s administration in August 2016.  A visit to the campus of Fisk University was arranged by Dr. Frederickson with Chancellor Lee’s office as well as the Presidents of both institutions - President Dr. Sue Ellspermann of Ivy Tech Community College and President Frank L. Sims  of Fisk University and Provost and V.P. for Academic Affairs Dr. Rodney S. Hanley.  

24 October 2016 the MOU officially became a transfer agreement between Fisk University and Ivy Tech Community College.  President Dr. Sue Ellspermann, Chancellor Dr. Kathleen F. Lee, Mr. Doran Moreland, Executive Director of the Statewide Diversity and Community Outreach, and Dr. Russell D. Baker traveled to Fisk University. Four Ivy Tech students traveled the day before and stayed on campus with Fisk University Student Government members. Ms. Nealy’s family member, Cousin Onajh K. Porter, was the very first graduate of the transfer agreement in May 2016.

Fisk University is the second of the original 43 Historically Black College and University’s to open in January 1866 in Nashville Tennessee with the Jubilee Day is celebrated each year on 6 October in honor of the world renown, Grammy Award winning Fisk University Jubilee Singers.

Respectfully submitted Sunday, 4 December 2016