51����Ƶ

When Shamari Garrett, ‘25, first enrolled at 51����Ƶ, her goal was simple: earn an associate degree in psychology and get a job.

“I just wanted to get my degree and take a step forward,” she said

Garrett did not plan to join multiple student organizations. She did not expect to serve in student leadership. She did not anticipate receiving several scholarships. She certainly did not anticipate continuing to earn her bachelor’s degree.

But what she found at Ivy Tech changed her plan. 

“Once I really immersed myself in Ivy Tech, I realized it was more than what I thought it would be,” Garrett said. “Ivy Tech has so many resources, and I started thinking … let me see how far I can go.”

A Fresh Start

Garrett moved from Chicago to Indianapolis and initially enrolled at another institution. The large lecture halls and heavy workload left her feeling behind. When she arrived at Ivy Tech Indianapolis, about a year and a half later, the difference was immediate.

Garrett found that Ivy Tech gave her the space to connect with instructors and better understand the coursework. After her first semester, she remembers walking through campus and realizing something had shifted.

“I realized this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing,” Garrett said.

That same day, she attended a campus resource fair where student organizations were introducing themselves to students.

“I’m like, this is something that I would like to be a part of,” she recalled.

Garrett soon immersed herself in campus life through the Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa, Honors programs, and the Bowens Scholars Program. She also participated in Circle of Ivy and connected with community partners such as Dress for Success, building financial literacy and professional skills along the way.

And, by the following semester, she found herself on the other side of the table, helping host the exact resource fair that had first sparked her involvement — a moment that confirmed she had found the right place.

“I feel completely comfortable here,” Garrett recalled thinking.

Half the Battle is Just Showing Up

Encouraged by Anthony Halmon, the director of student life, Garrett applied for a position in the Student Government Association, with the intention of serving as secretary. Instead, she was selected as vice president and later stepped into the role of president.

“He [Halmon] believed in me enough that I could believe in myself,” Garrett shared. 

Leadership did not always feel natural. She questioned herself. She wondered if she belonged. But she learned an important lesson.

“Ninety percent of the time, I just had to show up,” Garrett said.

Showing up changed everything. The experience strengthened her confidence and helped her discover her voice. It also opened doors to new opportunities across campus.

Garrett actively pursued scholarships because she did not want finances to stand in the way of her education. Being selected for the Bowens Scholars program proved transformative.

“I didn’t expect myself to get in because I know how competitive it can be,” she said. “Once I got in, it was like, you’re in.”

Now, the scholarship continues to support her as she completes her bachelor’s degree at the University of Indianapolis, where she is majoring in psychology with a minor in social work and a concentration in clinical and counseling studies.

She credits donor-funded scholarships and campus support with making her continued education possible.

“If I didn’t have that support, I don’t think I would have made it as far as I am now,” Garrett said. “Granted, I got the grit and the stamina to push through, but the fact that I had that kind of support, it was like, ‘OK, I could do this for real.’”

That support extended beyond financial aid. She attended therapy, sought mentorship and leaned into advising. The encouragement she received gave her the confidence to continue her education rather than stopping after her associate degree.

“Ivy Tech pours into you … I literally talk about Ivy Tech every day,” Garrett said, laughing. 

Paying It Forward

Today, Garrett works as a guest service coordinator at Wheeler Mission, helping individuals access daily necessities such as bus passes, toiletries and clothing. She hopes to work with children and adolescents in foster care or community-based settings, potentially pursuing graduate school in the future.

Her Ivy Tech experience continues to shape her daily life. She often encourages others to consider the College and has even helped a friend complete an application and FAFSA in less than 30 minutes.

“I am a firm believer in Ivy Tech,” she said.

When asked what she would say to someone considering a gift to Ivy Tech, especially as 2026 nears, Garrett did not hesitate.

“It’s worth it,” she said, “People don’t know how much a little bit of support can go. I can assure you it can go very far.”

And to students who may be struggling financially, her advice is simple:

“Just ask,” she said. “If you really need something, just ask for it. It’s like that saying, ‘closed mouths don’t get fed.’”

For Garrett, Ivy Tech was more than a place to earn a degree. It was a place that helped her build confidence, claim her voice and step into leadership. Now, as an alumna, she carries that belief forward — advocating for others, investing in her community and proving that one opportunity, supported by generosity, can open doors far beyond the classroom.