University of Evansville named Coordinating Partner of Driving Possibilities initiative in Indiana

The University of Evansville has been named as the Coordinating Partner for Indiana for Toyota’s Driving Possibilities initiative, which focuses on preparing the next generation of STEM employees by giving students of all backgrounds the ability to get hands-on STEM skills training throughout their education. Being named Coordinating Partner means the University of Evansville has committed to helping drive and support the cause of community betterment, the elimination of educational barriers, and the advancement of STEM skills training.

According to an article on the University of Evansville’s website, the university’s president, Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, shared his thoughts about this new collaboration, saying, "Today marks a monumental step forward in our ongoing partnership with Toyota, one that has consistently demonstrated the transformative power of collaboration. The University of Evansville is proud to continue our shared commitment to creating lasting, positive change in our community. This award is more than just an investment in our university; it's an investment in the future of our region's students and educators, underscoring the profound impact that can be achieved when universities, corporate allies, and communities unite towards a common goal."

Toyota’s Driving Possibilities initiative was launched in 2022. According to the initiative’s webpage, its goal is “to close educational gaps for all students through innovative, hands-on STEM programming that aligns with STEM careers and increases student achievement.” The initiative does this through after-school programming, analyzing student transportation needs in certain school districts, and providing students with mentors and support to keep going.

The Driving Possibilities initiative came to the state of Indiana in 2023. For its iteration in Indiana, Toyota is partnering with the University of Evansville’s Center for Innovation & Change. Toyota and the Center for Innovation & Change set out to investigate how Toyota’s initiative could provide a positive impact in the North Gibson School Corporation and the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, both of which have partnered up with Toyota and the University of Evansville for this initiative. Over the past year, improvements made via this partnership include the hiring of a bilingual case manager, installing a STEM-based playground at a K-12 school, funding a Pre-K learning center, and implementing initiatives to combat chronic absenteeism.

The Coordinating Partner role also comes with a $2 million grant, which the University of Evansville is using to fund its IN-MaC Training Studio. The IN-MaC studio will be housed within the School of Education in partnership with Purdue University and STEM Education Works. The studio will serve many purposes, from being a place for educators and instructors to be trained on coding, engineering, and robotics, to providing opportunities for kids to get hands-on opportunities that will get them excited about pursuing STEM education in the future. Adison Young, a 2020 University of Evansville graduate, will be the STEM Coordinator in charge of managing the IN-MaC Training Studio.

Tim Hollander, the president of Toyota Indiana, said, "Our partnership with UE is a natural one - we both believe in impacting our community for the better, and doing so in innovative ways that are designed by those we serve. We couldn't be more excited to see how UE can lend its unique vision for higher education to supporting our K-12 and industry partners in Driving Possibilities."

For more information about the University of Evansville, visit the school’s website.