This press release was originally published on the Indiana Chamber web site.
February 13, 2025 (INDIANAPOLIS) — Work-based learning has become a key component in building and diversifying Indiana’s talent pipeline, which is critical to moving the state forward. Internships and mentoring are key.
Work and Learn Indiana (WLI) celebrated those involved in promoting, creating and cultivating on-the-job experiences today at its Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference in Noblesville featuring the 19th Annual Impact Awards. The event honors Hoosier work-based learners, employers, innovative programs, work-based learning supervisors and career development professionals.
The Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference is a convening of best practices and sharing of ideas toward growth and partnership within workforce and education. There were more than 100 Impact Awards nominations spanning the categories.
Honorees:
- Work-Based Learner of the Year (College): Lian Fernandez: Marian University (Indianapolis), Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis
- Work-Based Learner of the Year (High School): Lucas Harth: Perry Central Junior Senior High (Leopold), Thermwood Corporation (Dale in Spencer County)
- Work-Based Learner of the Year (Adult): Kimberlee Reagan: Endress+Hauser (Greenwood)
- Career Development Professional of the Year (College): Jeermal Sylvester: Marian University’s Saint Joseph’s College (Indianapolis)
- Career Development Professional of the Year (High School): Mark Peterson: Chesterton High School (Chesterton)
- Work-Based Learning Supervisor of the Year: Sven Nelson: Heliponix, LLC (Evansville)
- Outstanding Employer of the Year: Corteva Agriscience (Indianapolis)
- Innovative Program of the Year: Indiana Office of Technology – State Earn and Learn IT Program (Indianapolis)
- David R. McKinnis Community Partner of the Year: Eastern Hancock Community Schools (Charlottesville in Hancock County)
Managed by the Institute for Workforce Excellence (IWE) – a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce – WLI’s free internship-matching program connects employers, learners, high schools, colleges and universities.
“Work and Learn Indiana is dedicated to creating and expanding high-quality experiential opportunities throughout Indiana,” remarks Indiana Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders. “The Impact Awards showcases remarkable partnerships taking place among education, employers, students and others to cultivate and develop talent. We are pleased to honor so many individuals and organizations preparing the future workforce.”
Among highlights at the Work-Based Learning Conference were remarks from Commissioner Chris Lowery of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, a keynote panel on diverse models of success in work-based learning with educators and students from Purdue University in Indianapolis and Union City Jr-Sr High School moderated by Dr. Katie Jenner, Secretary of Education, and educational sessions featuring how to engage employers in the Indiana apprenticeship pathway, creating project-based paid internships and more for businesses.
Awards were presented by Gerry Dick, president of Inside Indiana Business, a division of IBJ Media, and host of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick along with Dr. David Dimmett, president and CEO of event sponsor Project Lead The Way.
Access more information about WLI by calling (317) 264-6852 or visiting www.workandlearnindiana.com. Read some of the winners’ inspiring stories below:
Work-Based Learner of the Year (College): Lian Fernandez (Marian University)
Promoting unity and positivity are two goals Lian Fernandez put front and center at her internship with Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis.
Among her roles was working at a summer camp with children.
“Lian consistently stepped up during her work-based learning experience, providing mental health support and ensuring the well-being of participants,” emphasizes Girls Inc.’s Emily Henson, director of program impact and evaluation. “Her bilingual abilities allowed her to connect strongly with the camp participants and the broader community, making her an invaluable asset to the team.”
Fernandez’s talents shone through as she mentored individuals, tackling challenges with compassion and prioritizing people’s mental health. In addition, she embraced opportunities such as assisting Spanish-speaking families with registering their kids for camp and managing food delivery.
“Working with youth requires constant problem solving and weighing the goals of fun, safety and program objectives,” Henson reflects. “Lian exhibited leadership across the organization in many ways and served as a constant, calm and focused presence. I admire her as a future female leader in our community.”
Career Development Professional of the Year (High School): Mark Peterson (Chesterton High School)
Whether he’s coaching players on the football field or helping students forge career paths, guiding students to fulfill their potential propels Mark Peterson’s mentoring strategy at Chesterton High School.
Peterson has spearheaded the development of 200-plus partnerships with businesses in Chesterton and throughout northwest Indiana through the school’s internship program. He works closely with students, conducting monthly meetings featuring professional skills such as work ethic, job-related techniques and interview preparation. Developing and advancing their on-the-job skills – and instilling confidence – is paramount.
“Mark’s standout communication skills lie at the heart of his success in connecting learners with valuable career experiences at Chesterton High School,” declares school principal Brent Martinson. “Through his genuine enthusiasm and positive attitude, he creates an open, supportive atmosphere that resonates with both students and employers, making him a trusted and approachable mentor.”
Each year, Peterson places over 180 students annually in career-related internships.
“His dedication to providing individualized learning paths through internships and dual-credit options has opened countless doors for students, giving them a head start in competitive fields,” Martinson shares.
Outstanding Employer of the Year: Corteva Agriscience
Corteva Agriscience’s 12-week R&D internship program provides an in-depth introduction to the agricultural industry.
Each intern is paired with a senior scientist to complete a project and conduct experiments. As the internship concludes, interns showcase their work via an R&D-wide poster session in which leading scientists provide feedback. Accolades for top presenters include an Intern’s Choice Award, certificates, financial incentive and a networking lunch with members of Corteva’s executive leadership team.
Among additional internship components:
- Networking events, mentorship program and community volunteering opportunities
- Personal and professional development sessions
- Job Shadow Week
- Young Professionals Panel (full-time employees who are new to the workforce offer guidance, share why they chose to work with Corteva and more)
“Corteva encourages interns to explore different areas of the company and understand how Corteva contributes to the agricultural industry as a whole,” remarks Nikki Raymond, the company’s global scientific writing team leader/regulatory and stewardship intern strategy lead. “While many scientists in Indianapolis work in lab settings, interns are given opportunities to visit field research stations and seed processing/packaging plants to gain visibility into other parts of the business.”
Innovative Program of the Year: Indiana Office of Technology – State Earn and Learn IT Program
In 2020, on the day then-Gov. Eric Holcomb directed state employees into remote work as the pandemic hit, two new recruits reported to the Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) to embark on a career change.
They were the first participants in a partnership with the IOT and Indiana Department of Workforce Development to leverage an existing, trade-focused apprenticeship program – State Earn and Learn (SEAL) – into a pilot. It’s geared toward adults who are pursuing a career change to enter IT roles that support state government.
“(Through) on-the-job paid training, they’re molded into IT and cybersecurity professionals,” comments IOT communications specialist Devan Penn. “Also, unlike other apprenticeship approaches, the SEAL IT program prides itself on flexibility for individuals with outside-of-work obligations to family; each associate’s workweek includes time designated specifically for certification study and exam preparedness.”
To be eligible, associates aren’t required to have earned a degree in computer science, hold certifications in IT or possess previous experience in the government sector. They transition from occupations ranging from food service, truck driving and auto repair to factory work, retail/grocery sales and more.
Through the effort, Indiana became one of the first states – and one of the first local IT employers in the metro Indianapolis region – to employ a skills-first approach for technical roles.
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The Indiana Chamber partners with 25,000 members and investors – representing over four million Hoosiers – to achieve the mission of “cultivating a world-class environment which provides economic opportunity and prosperity.”
