Indiana State University President Mike Godard, sixth from right, prepares to turn a shovel of dirt with other dignitaries during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology on Oct. 25, 2024 on the ISU campus. Tribune-Star file/Joseph C. Garza
Indiana State University President Mike Godard sees positive momentum building on campus, and he’s hopeful that helps ISU grow enrollment to more than 10,000 students over the next several years.
“That’s not an overnight goal. That is a goal that will take a few years to get there,” he said in a Friday interview, reflecting on his first 7 1/ 2 months as ISU’s 13th president.
As ISU’s leader, he’s focused on increasing enrollment, which has seen a significant decline since 2017; developing relationships on and off campus; and building and expanding community partnerships, including those with business and industry.
Godard has become a visible presence at ISU and in the community, whether mingling with students at Sycamore basketball games; serving as principal for a day at two Vigo County School Corp. schools; or participating on boards that include the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.
He’s embraced ISU social media and recognizes its role in attracting prospective students.
Godard recognizes the importance of building “trusting, authentic relationships” with faculty, staff, students and the community. “I’m most proud of the relationships we’ve been able to build. It’s a team effort,” he said.
Wherever he goes, he continually seeks feedback on how Indiana State University can continue to improve in meeting the needs of students, the workforce and the state.
Positive enrollment indicators
In terms of fall 2025 enrollment, ISU is seeing good trends as far first-time freshmen, he said. Applications and admits are both up, as are commitments in terms of student deposits. “We’re cautiously optimistic about what the future holds,” he said. “But it’s still very early for us to make any strong predictions.” The university has seen a significant decline in enrollment in recent years, and this past fall, it had dropped to 7,895 students.
ISU has implemented several initiatives to help build that forward momentum, including: elimination of the application fee for undergraduates; automatic preferred admission for undergraduate students with a 3.0 GPA; and the Sycamore Success Scholarship, available to students just outside Pell eligibility who don’t qualify for a lot of the needbased aid at the federal or state level.
Another focus has been to create a culture of community “where our students feel like they are cared for,” which hopefully encourages other students to consider ISU, Godard said.
In addition, the university has rolled out new digital media marketing, “and certainly we’ve been very intentional with having a more robust social media presence,” he said.
A new initiative this semester involves a “one-stop shop service” where students can get advising, financial aid counseling, career service help, tutoring services and more in one location; it will be housed at University Hall.
Other accomplishments during his tenure include the hiring of a new director of athletics, Nathan Christensen; general counsel, J.D. Lux; and vice president for enrollment management, Maribeth Stevens.
Indiana State has established new key partnerships and strengthened existing ones, including with Union Health, the Vigo County School Corp. and Thompson Thrift. Those partnerships help address workforce needs and introduce potential students to the university.
In other campus developments begun prior to Godard’s tenure, ISU has broken ground on a $66 million renovation of the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology, and renovation continues on the Chestnut Building, which will expand the capacity of the Early Child Education Center.
Looking forward
Looking ahead, ISU is working on “more flexible pathways” for students, both traditional and nontraditional, to start or continue their education.
“We need to think different about higher education in terms of where are those on ramps,” Godard said.
Across the state and country, there are many adults with some college credit and no degree, and ISU wants to provide options for those individuals to complete their education.
That includes multiple start dates throughout the calendar year, instead of just fall and spring, as well as more flexible delivery of courses, including more eight-week courses and not as many 16-week courses for some programs.
ISU also will be looking at students’ existing workbased experiences and industry- recognized credentials and how those can lead to credit for prior learning.
That, in turn, reduces the time for degree completion, which makes it more affordable and allows individuals to get out into the workforce sooner, Godard said.
ISU’s president doesn’t look at the university in terms of the challenges it faces. “I’m more of an opportunity person,” he said. “I see a lot of opportunities for us to have strategic enrollment growth.”
“One thing I’m incredibly proud of is the quality of our academic programs, and the quality of the faculty and staff to deliver them,” Godard said. “It’s really making sure we’re not the best kept secret in some of these areas and really promoting ourselves a bit more intentionally as we move forward.”
Among those who have worked closely with Godard is Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun.
“President Godard has been an exceptional leader and much needed presence here in Terre Haute and frankly the entire state. His clear focus on student enrollment, retaining students, integrating education with the community, and creating a workforce for the Hoosier state is refreshing,” Sakbun said.
The city of Terre Haute has started several projects with ISU “and we remain in constant communication about future opportunities,” Sakbun said.
Sakbun said he looks forward to future collaboration and partnerships with President Godard and his staff.
“Indiana State is turning the corner. It will take time to see the progress but know that the university leadership is working around the clock to take Indiana State to new heights,” the mayor said.
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