Indianapolis, Indiana – As Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis prepares to celebrate the accomplishments of its Class of 2025, one student’s journey stands out, embodying the resilience, growth, and unwavering determination that have come to define the Ivy Tech experience. Luke Miller, this year’s student commencement speaker, will walk across the stage not only to receive his second associate degree but also to honor his personal journey—one of perseverance, dedication, and a deep commitment to early childhood education.
Miller’s story is unique, shaped by both his professional career and personal challenges. Having worked in the field of early childhood education for over 16 years, Miller has always had a passion for working with children. But his decision to return to school, nearly a decade after completing his first associate degree at Ivy Tech in general studies, speaks to his growth as an individual and a professional. He didn’t just return to school to complete a degree—he came back to pursue leadership opportunities within the field he loves. And along the way, he discovered just how transformative his education could be, not only for his career but also for his own sense of purpose.
For Miller, the decision to return to Ivy Tech was driven by a partnership between the college and the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood program, which provides scholarships to those working in early childhood education. Having spent over 16 years working with children, Miller recognized that he had reached a point in his career where, to truly advance, he needed additional education. As he became more mature and focused on his future, he realized that he was not only interested in continuing his work with children but also in stepping into leadership roles within early childhood education.
“I work with children, and as I grew older, I became more mature and realized I wanted to be in management and become a leader. So, I utilized the T.E.A.C.H. program and thought, ‘Well, if the state is going to help me out with this, then I would love to further my life and career,'” Miller explained. It was a decision that would set him on a path to not only finish his second associate degree but to achieve a level of growth he hadn’t anticipated.
Miller’s commitment to the field of early childhood education is deeply personal. From a very young age, he always envisioned himself as a father, and working with children was a natural fit. His passion for education and nurturing young minds has been a consistent thread throughout his life, and he always believed that working with children was his calling. But over time, he began to realize that his skills extended beyond the classroom. He discovered that he had a knack for leading people and bringing teams together. This realization opened the door to management opportunities, allowing him to combine his love of children with his newfound leadership aspirations.
“I’ve worked with kids my whole life. I’ve been in the field for 16 years now. I truly feel like it’s a calling. I’ve always said from a very young age, ‘I want to be a dad!’ So it’s kind of been my theme throughout my life of working with kids. Then, working with other teachers, I realized I had a really good knack for leading people and bringing teams together. So, mixing my love of working with children and being able to be in management and lead teams—it just felt right,” Miller shared.
Despite his years of experience, Miller’s decision to return to school wasn’t without its challenges. Like many students at Ivy Tech, he had to balance the demands of a full-time job, the responsibilities of homeownership, and the pressures of academic life. Time management quickly became a significant hurdle. But Miller remained determined to succeed, driven by his passion for his field and his desire to build a better future for himself.
“Definitely time management is a big obstacle. Everyone at Ivy Tech—I think—are coming from a place where they’re making the hard choice, and they have to make that choice and decision to keep pushing forward because there are many times when it does feel overwhelming. But your passion and your desire for more, and to do better in life, keeps pushing you,” Miller explained.
The support he received from his instructors and the sense of community at Ivy Tech played a crucial role in helping Miller overcome these obstacles. One of the most memorable aspects of his time at Ivy Tech Indianapolis was his experience attending in-person classes. For Miller, the physical classroom environment, combined with engaging and supportive instructors, made a significant difference in his learning experience. He credited the Early Childhood Education faculty for their dedication and their ability to connect with students, ensuring that their learning was both effective and engaging.
“I would say going to in-person classes. Especially with the amazing instructors who are on the Early Childhood Education team. They were so engaging, and they truly amplified my learning. There’s just something about being in person that’s different and really helps your engagement and your learning process,” Miller said.
As he reflects on his experiences at Ivy Tech, Miller is quick to emphasize the transformative impact that higher education has had on him. What began as a personal ambition to improve his career prospects has evolved into a broader realization of the value that education brings—not just to his career but to his ability to lead, to inspire others, and to make a difference in the field of early childhood education.
“It’s definitely pushed me more toward realizing the value and benefit of higher education. This degree is different in that I’m learning—‘oh, there’s a lot of value in this.’ Getting this degree really does make me a better employee, a better leader. And there’s so much value in the things that I’m learning and being able to apply in real life,” Miller explained.
With his graduation just around the corner, Miller has big plans for the future. He is not stopping at his second associate degree. Instead, he has already set his sights on furthering his education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership. Miller hopes that by expanding his education and leadership skills, he will be better equipped to pursue opportunities that will allow him to have an even greater impact in his field and beyond.
“I am continuing my education, so I’m getting a third degree. I’ll graduate with my bachelor’s in business management and leadership in December. From there, I really want to pursue avenues and industries where I can lead and spread positivity and bring people together,” Miller said.
When asked what it means to him to be the student commencement speaker, Miller explained that it’s not just about delivering a speech—it’s about celebrating the hard work and resilience of his fellow graduates. Having been a part of the Ivy Tech community for so long, he feels a deep sense of pride in his classmates, many of whom have overcome their own obstacles to reach this point. He is excited to stand before them and acknowledge their shared accomplishments.
“I’ve been doing public speaking since 2016. I love being in front of people, and I also have a knack for writing. The past two and a half years have been very transformative for me. And I really want to express that in a way that resonates with all the students. I just want to say, ‘I’m so proud of you. You worked hard, and I don’t want you to forget that,’” Miller said.
For Miller, walking across the stage to receive his diploma is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It is a moment of personal triumph, a celebration of everything he has overcome and achieved. But beyond that, it is a reminder of the power of education to transform lives, to provide opportunities, and to create new paths for growth and leadership.
“It means I can celebrate myself and know that even though there were times I wanted to give up, I didn’t give up, and I accomplished this. I just really look forward to celebrating the fact that I worked really hard, and I earned this,” Miller shared.
As Ivy Tech Indianapolis prepares to celebrate the Class of 2025, Luke Miller’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of what is possible when we persevere, push through challenges, and embrace the opportunities that education offers. For Miller, his journey is far from over. It is simply the beginning of the next chapter in his career and his life.
The commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025 will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The ceremony will be a celebration not just of academic achievement, but of the perseverance, passion, and resilience that defines the Ivy Tech community.
