Indianapolis, Indiana – Shalise Truxler’s journey has never followed a predictable route, yet every twist has pushed her closer to the purpose she embraces today. At only 22 years old, the Ivy Tech Indianapolis alum has already built a record of service, advocacy, and leadership that many people do not achieve in decades. With experience rooted deeply in her own childhood, she now uses her voice to influence policy, guide foster youth, and help reshape the systems that once shaped her.
Her story begins in Indiana’s foster care system, which she entered at age 12. The early years were marked by many transitions—new homes, new schools, new faces. Later, in high school, her family relocated to Georgia, a move that seemed to reset expectations and open new options. But during her senior year, a house fire disrupted everything: the relocation, the stability she was building, and her plans to apply to historically Black colleges and universities. Forced back to Indiana, Truxler suddenly had to rethink her path.
College choices became complicated. Costs were high, and many institutions required on-campus housing she could not afford. While searching for an alternative, she came across Ivy Tech Indianapolis, a school she realized she had spent years living near but never considered.
“I hadn’t heard much about Ivy Tech, even though I went to elementary, middle school here,” Truxler said. “But I’m super proud to have studied at Ivy Tech. It’s one of the largest community colleges in the nation. They have so many good statistics, and I think other institutions need to model after it.”
At first, Truxler enrolled as a software development major. Scholarships like the Pepsi Scholarship, along with a Pell Grant, helped her get started. But as she moved through her early courses, it became clearer that technology was not where she felt called. She spent time reflecting on the adults who had supported her during her years in the foster care system. Their guidance, presence, and compassion resonated in a way that computers and code did not.
This realization changed everything. She decided her future belonged in social work.
“Social work isn’t just someone coming to take your kids away,” Truxler said of common misconceptions of the career path. “It’s being in the youth centers and teaching them things. It’s being there for someone. It could be advocating on a macro level.”
Shifting her major to human services and social work opened more doors than she expected. With each class, internship, and conversation, she found new ways to connect her lived experience with emerging professional skills. One particularly important opportunity came when she joined the Career Link office through a federal work-study position.
There, she met Katrina Jones, the executive director of Career Link Student Programs, who quickly became a strong supporter of her growth.
“Katrina was like the big boss, so I used to be a little nervous,” Truxler said, chuckling. “But she was great, very open, and always gave me an opportunity.”
She also found encouragement among the career coaches and front desk specialists who saw her passion and recognized her potential.
“It was great speaking with them almost every time I came into the building and for them to be interested in what I was doing and where I was going,” Truxler shared.
That network of encouragement soon translated into bigger accomplishments. While still a student, she secured a $5,000 internship with the Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition. Her project involved organizing a major focus group on Ivy Tech Indy’s campus in August 2024. The event attracted representation from the Office of Public Health and Safety, the Coroner’s Office, and several community organizations.
It also caught the attention of three local news stations—a moment that underscored the significance of her work and her ability to bring people together for solutions-driven conversations. The topics she led that day were broad yet deeply interconnected: youth mental health, wellness, access to opportunities, and gun safety.
“Having everyone there was critical because the solutions are clear,” Truxler said. “It’s about creating opportunities, prioritizing mental wellness, and facing the issue of gun education directly. Because they’re getting guns easily, it’s on us to teach them safety.”
Her leadership and impact did not go unnoticed. At the 2025 Green and White Gala, she was honored as the Outstanding Leader of the Year — a recognition that validated her hard work and reinforced her commitment to social change.
After graduating from Ivy Tech with her associate degree, Truxler transferred to Ball State University to continue her education in social work. But even with a full course load, her advocacy work expanded beyond Indiana’s borders.
She currently serves on three foster youth boards: the Indiana Foster Youth Alliance through Foster Success, the Foster Clubs Youth Board, and Sankofa Knowledge Exchange. In these roles, she helps shape conversations around youth development, child welfare reform, and the importance of lived-experience leadership.
Her work with the Indiana Foster Youth Alliance has already contributed to measurable policy change. She helped advocate for Indiana House Bill 1441, now signed into law, allowing foster, emancipated, and justice-involved youth to open their own bank accounts at age 16 without unnecessary barriers.
“That was just one barrier knocked down for foster youth,” Truxler said.
Through her board work, she has traveled across the country to present at conferences and speak on topics like authentic youth engagement and data collection. She recently presented at the Daniel Memorial Conference in Orlando and is preparing to speak at an upcoming summit in San Francisco. These opportunities not only highlight her expertise but also create space for authentic youth perspectives in decision-making rooms that typically exclude them.
Looking forward, Truxler has no plans to slow down. She hopes to earn a master’s degree from an HBCU such as Howard University and ultimately sees her career expanding into public office.
“My goal is to write laws that empower social workers to help people more effectively,” Truxler said. “I plan to run for office and bring my peers with me so that, together, we can build the world we want to see.”
When reflecting on where this journey began, she describes Ivy Tech as far more than a backup plan or stepping stone.
“You think about community colleges and have bad stigmas about it,” she said. “I can confidently say it’s nothing like that. Go get your education affordably. Go join a club, get those scholarships. There are so many hidden treasures at Ivy Tech.”
Her message to current and future foster youth is one of courage and persistence.
“Don’t let anxiety stop you,” Truxler said. “If you’re afraid to speak on panels, sign up for a panel. Just do it anyway until you’re not afraid anymore … With experience, you become less and less afraid, and you become more confident.”
Today, Shalise Truxler stands as an example of the future she wants to create—one where young people, especially those touched by the foster care system, are welcomed into leadership roles and valued for their lived experiences. And while her path may have started with uncertainty, it is now defined by purpose, resilience, and a commitment to building systems that truly serve the young people who depend on them.
For more information on Ivy Tech Indianapolis’ Human Services program, visit ivytech.edu.
