Former Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann was selected Wednesday as the next president for the state’s community college system. Ivy Tech Community College trustees voted 11-0 to hire Ellspermann, who for months has been considered the leading candidate to replace outgoing school President Thomas Snyder. She will begin in the new position on July 1.
Ellspermann, resigned as lieutenant governor in March amid a reported rift with Republican Gov. Mike Pence. She holds a doctorate in industrial engineering and ran her own consulting firm before she was elected to the Indiana House in 2010, and was tapped just two years later to join Pence’s gubernatorial ticket.
“The Ivy Tech Board of Trustees has made an outstanding selection for the next president of their college. Sue’s successful career in the private sector, in academia, and in state government has made her uniquely qualified to lead Ivy Tech at this very time,”said Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb. “As Lt. Governor, Sue led on education and workforce development issues and understands the vital role Ivy Tech plays in preparing Hoosiers for the jobs of the 21st century. I look forward to our continued work together serving the citizens of Indiana on this most important front.”
Ellspermann, who has been adamant in her opposition to negative campaigning, was replaced by current Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, a political operative and former U.S. Senate candidate. Holcomb was brought on just as Pence was preparing for what is expected to be a difficult re-election campaign against former Democratic House Speaker John Gregg.