IU Kokomo awards first microcredentials

Release & Photo  courtesy of IU Kokomo

KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo awarded its first microcredentials to participants in a Wabash County leadership development program.

Twenty-one people earned the microcredential – or non-credit bearing certification – in Essentials of Leadership, a class taught by IU Kokomo faculty as part of Grow Wabash County’s Leadership Development Wabash County (LDWC) program.

Leah Nellis, vice chancellor for innovation and special projects, said the campus’s AIM (Achieve. Improve. Master.) Microcredential program fills a need for short-term education to help individuals learn specific skills in the community.

“Earning a microcredential demonstrates that you have learned specific competencies and skills,” she said. “Not only do participants grow and learn professionally, but the actual digital credential shows it was in partnership with us and provides validation of the learning they did.”

Nellis led the Essentials of Leadership microcredential, along with Rosalyn Davis, clinical associate professor of psychology; Gloria Preece, assistant dean of the School of Business and assistant professor of personal financial management and marketing; and Candace Murray, academic advisor, who all collaborated in its development.

Nellis said IU Kokomo faculty had previously taught sessions in the Wabash leadership development program, and built on those for the microcredential program, which was taught over a six-month period.

Tenille Zartman, president and CEO of Grow Wabash County, was pleased to offer the pilot microcredential to LDWC participants.

“We are always looking for new ways to enhance and enrich our LDWC program experience, and having a tangible credential the participants could earn for completing the program seemed like an excellent way to do it,” she said. “When the current cohort found out they had

the opportunity not only to earn a certificate of completion, but also a microcredential that was recognized by IU Kokomo and the IU system, they were very excited. Many jumped at the chance to earn the microcredential and put in the extra work to complete the assignments to earn it.”

Each person who completed the microcredential received a digital badge that can be displayed on a website or social media site.

Nellis said additional microcredential programs are in development and are projected to be available by the fall 2024 semester. Individuals can enroll directly in existing microcredential programs. However, programs can also be created upon request to meet the needs of local businesses and organizations.

Programs can range from brief programs, to year-long or semester-long series. They can be delivered in person, by video conference, online, or in a hybrid format. For more information contact Nellis at lmnellis@iu.edu or go to kokomo.iu.edu/microcredentials/