Ivy Tech Madison Awards Emeka Koren as Recipient of President’s Award for Excellence in Dual Credit Instruction

Koren teaches four dual credit classes in science at Madison Consolidated High School

MADISON, Ind. – Emeka Koren, science teacher at Madison Consolidated High School, has been selected as the recipient of the Ivy Tech Madison campus’ 2nd Annual President’s Award for Excellence in Dual Credit Instruction.

On June 14th, Koren will be recognized by Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College, as one of 19 statewide recipients. Koren’s academic and teaching accomplishments will also be highlighted. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the 2023 Statewide Award recipient. “emeka’s passion for seeing students excel goes beyond his classroom. He has been a mentor to new dual credit instructors and advocated for education throughout our community,” said Andrea McDole, Director of K-14 Initiatives. “We are thrilled to recognize his achievements and highlight the high-quality instruction and work of all dual credit instructors in our high schools.”

Koren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemical Engineering from Rice University, a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University, and additional graduate hours in chemistry and physics.

Koren’s dedication to his students shows through his passion for teaching. “I always liked explaining things and sharing knowledge. I did a lot of tutoring in high school and even taught my calculus class when the teacher wasn't there. But I've also felt it to be a matter of social justice. Education is the primary means by which a person without much financial resources can invest in themselves to eventually become middle class. Too many people remain poor because of inadequate access to education.”

“emeka has a nice balance of instructional rigor and compassion for his students who are taking these advanced-level courses, which are developed and intended for students who seek a challenging and more demanding workload. While the intellect is most certainly there with these students, other elements necessary around college-level work are still developing for many of these students,” said Ronnie Lawhead, Principal at Madison Consolidated High School. “Mr. Koren knows and understands this and not only pushes them academically but also helps them develop productive study habits, time management skills, and emotional tenacity to handle challenges and feedback that come with college-level academic preparation and performance.”

Koren is the co-director of the Academic teams at Madison Consolidated High School and the coach of the Science Academic Super Bowl. As such, he is a member of the Madison Education Foundation board. He is also on the Finance Committee of the Bethany Legacy Foundation. Koren serves on the board of Historic Eleutherian College, and in support of the College’s original mission created a Summer Institute focusing on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). This inaugural Institute, in partnership with Ivy Tech Madison and Hanover College, encourages students of color to pursue a career teaching STEM in public schools.

Koren teaches four dual credit classes in science at Madison Consolidated High School in the areas of chemistry, physics, and physical science. This results in as many as 15 college credits for high school students. Students participating in these classes can also earn degrees while in high school, including the Indiana College Core. After high school, students can complete an associate degree at Ivy Tech Community College or transfer their credit to other institutions. Students can begin earning dual credit from Ivy Tech as early as their freshman year of high school. 

“The Dual Credit program at Madison Consolidated High School provides a way to raise the academic level of high school students and to give them credit for college level work that they have done in high school. This helps them to prepare for college both academically and financially,” Koren said.

Madison Consolidated High School has 16 teachers that offer 50 dual credit classes. Current MCHS seniors have earned 80 Ivy Tech degrees through a combination of dual credit classes at MCHS and dual enrollment courses at Ivy Tech Madison.

Ivy Tech Madison has more than 50 dual credit instructors at high schools throughout Jefferson and Switzerland Counties, as well as the Southeastern Career Center and Indiana Digital Learning School. During the 2022-2023 school year, Ivy Tech Madison will award nearly 8,000 college credit hours to more than 1,200 dual credit high school students, saving families over $1 million in tuition costs.

About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information.