Growing Education
Opportunities in Allen County
Grow Allen provides collaboration, connection and coordinated resources to youth-serving organizations in Allen County, creating better educational opportunities for all students.
We envision an empowered, future-ready Allen County where high school graduates are equipped with lifelong learning opportunities and credentials that drive individual success and regional vitality.
Focus Areas
Early Learning
Ready, Set, Grow Allen Early Learning Coalition unites a passionate community dedicated to ensuring every child in Allen County can flourish and reach their full potential. We provide essential resources and support to enhance early learning experiences. By building a solid foundation, we prepare young learners for kindergarten readiness and lifelong development. Ready, Set, Grow Allen fosters accessible early education and childcare in Allen County because investment in these early years yields lasting benefits.
Work-based Learning
Less than 43% of residents aged 25 to 64 in Northeast Indiana hold a degree or credential valued in the labor market. Grow Allen builds relationships with key employers, high schools, career academies, and specialized education providers to expand the number of work-based learning opportunities available to students in emerging industries.
Meeting a Critical Need
The 2024 Achieving Postsecondary Education and Training Study, published by Don Wood Foundation and Questa Education Foundation, revealed the following insights:
Over the next five years, the region’s demand for talent will grow by more than 5,600 High Demand High Wage (HDHW) jobs that require a postsecondary credential. A notable 61% of these positions require a bachelor's degree.
Jobs with minimal education requirements (high school diploma or less) have the greatest risk of automation and are projected to decline over the next five years.
Approximately 46% of working-age residents’ highest level of education is a high school diploma, equivalency, or less. Only 34% have completed some form of postsecondary education.
Between 2017–2022, the number of certificate graduates at regional colleges and universities more than doubled and the region is close to meeting HDHW talent needs for certificate-level graduates. However, in the same timeframe, regional colleges and universities have seen a 15% decline in associate degree completions and a 17% decline in bachelor’s degree graduates.
Northeast Indiana employers will face a gap of 6,500 to 8,000 bachelor's degree graduates by 2027.
Grow Allen is positioned to help students, parents, educators, and employers to meet these needs by encouraging and helping fill the gap between credentials and degrees earned and the needs of the community.
Board Members
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Dr. Sherry Grate, President
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLIC IMPACT INVESTING, AMBASSADOR ENTERPRISES
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Brenda Gerber Vincent, Treasurer
CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER, GREATER FORT WAYNE INC.
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Dr. Kim Barnett Johnson
CHANCELLOR, IVY TECH FORT WAYNE
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Brian Bauer
PRESIDENT, INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH, NORTHEAST REGION
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Wayne Barker
SUPERINTENDENT, NORTHWEST ALLEN COUNTY SCHOOLS
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Dr. Mark Daniel
SUPERINTENDENT, FORT WAYNE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
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Marilyn Hissong
SUPERINTENDENT, EAST ALLEN COUNTY SCHOOLS
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Joe Jordan
PRESIDENT AND CEO, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHEAST INDIANA
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Tom Kelley
OWNER, KELLEY AUTOMOTIVE
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Dr. Josh St. John
SUPERINTENDENT, SOUTHWEST ALLEN COUNTY SCHOOLS
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Ron Turpin
ALLEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER
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Dr. Park Ginder
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GROW ALLEN
News & Events
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September 9, 2025, 6:15pm-7:45pm
Bridge of Grace (909 Elmrow Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46806)
Over 20 ministry providers meet for the Ministry Director's meeting, enjoying fellowship and uplifting words from area leaders. To join, please contact Jennifer Ledger at Jennifer@GrowAllen.com
No registration link
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September 19, 2025, 11:30am-1pm
Foellinger Foundation (520 E Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802)
Join educators of children aged 0-5 who are looking to collaborate around essential resources to strengthen our learning community. To join, please contact Jennifer Ledger at Jennifer@GrowAllen.com
No registration link
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November 10, 2025, 6:15-7:45pm
Location TBD
Over 20 ministry providers meet for the Ministry Director's meeting, enjoying fellowship and uplifting words from area leaders. To join, please contact Jennifer Ledger at Jennifer@GrowAllen.com
No registration link
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December 12, 2025, 11:30am-1pm
Foellinger Foundation (520 E Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802)
Join educators of children aged 0-5 who are looking to collaborate around essential resources to strengthen our learning community. To join, please contact Jennifer Ledger at Jennifer@GrowAllen.com
No registration link
Want to Help Allen County Grow?
Early Learning
Jennifer Ledger
Director of Early Learning
Jennifer@GrowAllen.com
260 750-7057
General Inquiries and
Work-based Learning
Park Ginder
Executive Director
Park@GrowAllen.com
260 341-0583