The new acting chancellor at Ivy Tech Community College began on Monday.

Dr. Katherine Kent is the former Vice Chancellor at Ivy Tech but is now managing the South Bend and Elkhart campuses.

Dr. Kent has worked for the school close to three decades and took over for the retired Dr. Thomas Coley.

She said she’s eager to put her best foot forward to keep helping local students get ahead in life.

“I have been with the college for approximately 30 years now. I started as adjunct faculty, went to program chair, then to dean position, then to vice chancellor so I’m very excited about this role,” Dr. Kent said.

The school is continuing to search for a permanent chancellor but Dr. Kent plans to expand opportunities for local students during the transition.

“We’ve got some good partnerships coming up with Notre Dame, Next Level Jobs, 21st Century Scholars,” Dr. Kent said. “We have some really incredible opportunities for us.”