McMahan leading fastest-growing regional education center

LOGANSPORT, Ind. — Trine University is welcoming a new director to its fastest-growing regional education center in Logansport.
 
Tami McMahan of Logansport recently has been named the director of the Trine regional education center, which opened in June after the university reached an agreement with city officials to occupy a city-owned building.  Logansport Mayor Michael Fincher said Trine’s campus already is beginning to enhance his city’s economic development possibilities by developing a trained workforce for local industry.
 
Fincher, along with the Logansport Economic Development Foundation, was instrumental in bringing Trine University to the Logansport community.
 
“Education is so important, and I am thrilled that Trine University agreed to come to Logansport and provide resources to this community,” Fincher said. “Making educational resources available locally always has been a goal of mine, and I am so happy that we have found a way to make that happen.”
 
McMahan has worked as the director for the new Cass Logan Educational Attainment Resource (CLEAR), an adult education center, since it was formed in October. In less than six months, she grew the program to include 134 students. Since then, 15 students have graduated from the program, and 57 people currently are on a waiting list to get into the program.
 
“She has had remarkable success with CLEAR, and we believe she will be a tremendous asset to the Logansport branch campus,” said Trine University senior vice president Michael Bock. “Tami knows the community and has a proven track record of helping people further their education and preparing them to enter the workforce.”
 
Before leading CLEAR, McMahan worked as an elementary school teacher for 11 years. She left her job to help run the family business when her father became ill. She then returned to teaching for one year, but was let go due to budget cuts. She realized she needed more than a bachelor’s degree to excel in her career and currently is pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership.
 
“Part of my success is attributed to the fact that I can relate to adults wanting to improve their education. I build relationships with people and can identify with them. I know it can be done because I’ve done it,” McMahan said. “When I was pursuing my undergraduate degree, I was a single mom. I was on food stamps and Medicare. I knew what it felt like when the unemployment check was running out. I resolved to change my situation. I went back to school and found another job. I want to help others improve their lives, and getting an education is half the battle.”
 
McMahan plans to continue to network with area business, government and economic development leaders to bring more students into the classroom. Because of her work with CLEAR and encouraging adults to pursue post-secondary degrees, she already has an established relationship with Ivy Tech Community College. She hopes to build on the relationship to transition students from the school’s associate degree program to Trine’s bachelor’s program. She also plans to help expand Trine’s master’s degree program in Logansport.
 
“This is the first time someone in Logansport could earn a master’s degree in their own city, and that would be a huge benefit for the community,” McMahan said.
 
For more information about Trine University, Logansport, contact McMahan at mcmahant@trine.edu.