Our tutors come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all have common characteristics. They have achieved excellence in their fields of study; they are thoughtful communicators, critical thinkers, writers, researchers, mathematicians, and scientists.
Our tutors are passionate about education and about sharing knowledge with their peers.
In addition, they understand what it is like to go to college while working full or part time. Most of our tutors have earned at least one college degree and are pursuing additional degrees, either at Ivy Tech or at 4 year institutions.
Because of their educational expertise and their experiences with subjects across the academic disciplines, our tutors are eager to help you to succeed too, in college as well as in the workplace.
Having retired from her lifelong career, it’s now Cindy's joy and privilege to help students with their English, Writing and MS Office assignments. Cindy and her husband still farm, but on a much smaller scale than years ago, so she quilts, sews, makes greeting cards and gardens, gardens, gardens in her rare free time.
Cindy's kids are grown and they, with their spouses, stay very busy in their career fields. Her grandkids are in their mid-teens and older and are very busy with school and church activities, and even the oldest is now married. They don’t have much time for grandparents these days, so Cindy and her husband stay as independent as the grandchildren.
Cindy finally has the career she wanted after college. She hopes to meet you soon!
Eridani Pickens loves to meet new people, and she is very sociable. She studied Biology and Chemistry at Indiana State University, and now she is hoping to study Medical Imaging at Ivy Tech.
Eridani's name is Greek and it means "little river," after the star constellation Eridanus.
She enjoys anything outdoors such as kayaking, swimming, fishing, and hiking, and she also enjoys learning new things in math and science.
Hans VanHorn received his General Studies A.S. from Ivy Tech and received an A.S. in Biotechnology at Ivy Tech in 2020. He especially enjoys chemistry and helping students enjoy it as well.
Hans also collects coins, works on cars, and is an advocate for animals and pets everywhere.
Emily Kays is in her second year at Ivy Tech and is pursuing an associate's in accounting. She is going to eventually transfer and double with bachelor's in accounting and language arts.
She truly thinks that education is exciting and loves to learn. She hopes that with tutoring she will be able to help other students find the joy in learning, too.
Outside of school she is in a book club, and she enjoys video games and long walks with her dogs Steak, Indiana Jones, and Maverick.
Freddie Porter is a current Ivy Tech student where he is pursing an AS in Informatics.
He brings a computing background as a math tutor, and he looks forward to pursing his education in the dynamic information technology field.
Jerry Willard taught math in local high schools for 30 years, retired, and was hired by Ivy Tech as an adjunct instructor as well as a math tutor.
His extensive experience in and out of the math classroom allows him to help students across the math curriculum, so we consider him the Godfather of Math Tutoring.
Jerry's sense of humor, his growth mindset, and his work ethic also keeps everyone who knows him with smiles on their faces.
Sue McMullen has been an educator for many years at various levels. She believes that education makes a difference!
She has several children and grandchildren, and she also has a little rescue dog named Bo. She grew up in Bridgeton and thought the Covered Bridge Festival was a crazy idea--boy was she wrong!
Her hobbies include reading (lots), puzzles and knitting. She has knitted chemo caps and baby blankets which were donated to various medical facilities.
After 40 years in industrial research and development involving composite materials and processes, Eric Propst tutors in chemistry, math, and physics.
Eric earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and a masters in material science. His career gave him the privilege to help over 100 young engineers and scientists leverage their academic training in the transition from college to a professional career. Eric's career has enabled him to travel and work with people all over world, including living in Japan for a year.
While helping students with subject material, Eric brings the perspective of actually using much of “that stuff teachers make us learn.” He looks forward to learning new things through the students he assists. Science and technology opened a world of opportunity for him, and he hopes to help others achieve the skills that open those doors.
Darla Crist is the result of the school of life and a Masters degree in English with a specialization in Creative Writing from Indiana State University.
She taught English composition, research, and creative writing for many years at Indiana State University and at Ivy Tech prior to her current role as the director of the Learning Resource Center and the Library. When she is not in the Library or the Learning Center, she is wearing some other hat around campus, but whatever hat she wears, she enjoys helping students to thrive, grow, and reach their professional and personal goals.
Darla is a published author whose books include The God of Small Losses (2010), Catherine Sophia's Elbow: A Love Story (2014, 2016), and The Book of Wishful Thinking (2017).
In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing (of course!), but she also likes to hunt for antiques and spend time with her family and their menagerie of endlessly entertaining pets.
Logan Morris is a current Ivy Tech student pursuing an associate degree in nursing and plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing as well.
He has research and writing skills both from Ivy Tech and ISU, as well as experience in anatomy from both schools. He is excited about furthering his education in both fields.
Outside of classes, he enjoys hiking with his dog, Lucy, and playing video games as well.
Sarah Smith is the recipient of a degree in Sonography / Imaging Science at Ivy Tech. She brings a background in elementary education and a spirit of positivity and growth to her position as a tutor in the medical sciences. She is looking forward to further educational pursuits and a career in imaging science. Her philosophy is that education is something that belongs to a person forever and cannot be taken away by time or circumstance.
Paul Jackson is an enthusiastic and dedicated professional with a passion for education, technology, and craftsmanship. He recently transitioned into his new role as the Learning Resource Center Coordinator after serving as an Education Technologist. His career has been driven by a commitment to fostering student success and utilizing innovative solutions to remove barriers to learning.
Technology plays a pivotal role in Paul's professional life, complementing his love for hands-on work as a maker and fixer-of-things. His learning journey is continuous, encompassing both academic pursuits and self-taught skills that enrich his personal and professional capabilities.
During his time at Ivy Tech, Paul discovered the profound gratification of interacting with students, guiding them toward their goals, and providing the support they need to thrive. He looks forward to continuing to empower students in his current role, ensuring they have the resources and assistance required to overcome challenges and achieve success.
Paul also cherishes spending time with his family and he is proud to be a husband, father, and most recently, a grandfather. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and exploring the outdoors, which provides him with balance and inspiration in all aspects of life.
