Cheviron comes to Indiana Tech after a five-year stint of co-founding and serving as CEO of multiple companies, including a real estate brokerage, a coaching, training, and consulting company, a home/auto insurance company as well as a prototype design and development firm. All these companies continue to thrive today. Prior to building his own businesses, Nate worked nearly a decade within Allegis Group, focusing on technical recruiting, consulting and engineering services.

With an extensive background in technology-driven business development, operational strategy and leadership, Cheviron has spent his entire working career leading strategic partnerships, market expansion and innovation initiatives across multiple industries and numerous technical disciplines—key components that align with Junction 36’s mission of advancing innovation and industry collaboration.

Cheviron holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Physics Teaching from Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne, as well as multiple certifications in project management, business development and leadership training.

Indiana Tech first announced the Junction 36 initiative in August 2024 when it received a five-year, $21 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. in support of the project. Junction 36 is comprised of three central components:

• Transformation of Building 36 on the Electric Works campus into a center for hard tech and advanced manufacturing innovation that will help grow local companies by connecting them to university-led research, development, and training. It will provide training related to Industry 4.0, business assistance for small-to-large organizations, spaces for business innovation teams and startups and a variety of event spaces to host community gatherings as part of the innovation ecosystem at Electric Works and throughout Northeast Indiana. Under the leadership of Indiana Tech, Building 36 will facilitate and include:
  • Research and development
  • Testing and prototyping
  • Small-batch production
  • Workforce training
  • Creator space/maker space
  • Automation innovation and development
  • Enterprise support services
• The Talent Connection, a program that will provide unique learning experiences that connect talent to the community in ways that create strong bonds and lead to enhanced talent attraction and retention. The program includes significantly expanded student service learning for Indiana Tech and other regional students, a new Fellows program focused on keeping top talent in the region and assigning Indiana Tech students as project partners and mentors for Amp Lab high school students.
  
  The Talent Connection Fellowship will recruit outstanding student leaders from the region and across the country to address larger problem-solving around the region’s most complex issues. Challenges will be submitted to the Fellows by area companies, nonprofits, civic organizations and communities for the development of solutions over a 1 to 2-year time period of collaborative work by the Fellows team.
• Public Workshop, a program to help diverse learners and entrepreneurs access support and overcome systemic barriers to advancing their education. Public Workshop will work to bring the benefits of the Indiana Tech initiative to wider regional audiences, helping more area residents and entrepreneurs reach their full potential by connecting them to a diverse set of resources. Working with partners around the region, Public Workshop will connect learners and entrepreneurs with wrap-around services such as early childhood education, affordable housing, training pathway guidance and resources for personal health.

Indiana Tech President Dr. Karl Einolf commented, “All of us at Indiana Tech are pleased to welcome Nate Cheviron to our team. Nate’s entrepreneurial background, engineering and technical experience and passion for this project and the advancement Northeast Indiana overall stood out among the many excellent candidates for this critical position. I’m confident he will be an outstanding leader for Junction 36. He’ll help us turn our ambitious vision for the initiative into a real-world operation that will serve as a great asset to our area’s students, entrepreneurs and companies for years to come.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Indiana Tech team and lead the Junction 36 initiative,” commented Mr. Cheviron. “Northeast Indiana has been longing for a facility of this kind to drive innovation, collaboration and economic growth in our region. This is a unique opportunity to build something truly transformative—where industry and education converge to create lasting impact. I look forward to enhancing partnerships, supporting entrepreneurs and empowering the next generation of talent in advanced manufacturing and hard tech development.”

Indiana Tech has been the state’s top collegiate cyber defense team since Feb. 7, 2015, and has won the Indiana CCDC 18 times overall.

“After working 20-plus hours a week all year long, I am incredibly proud of this team’s determination and tenacity to continue to validate our position as an absolute top-tier competitive cyber security team,” said Cyber Warriors coach Matt Hansen.

Each year, competing cybersecurity teams work to combat attempted network security breaches and related challenges that test their problem-solving, technical abilities and teamwork at every turn.

This year’s squad is comprised of Tim Bukowski, Avery Hughes, Brody Long, Jeremy MacRoberts, Myles Nieman, Martin Quintana, Sam Reggelbrugge and Maggie Trowbridge. Coach Hansen is an Indiana Tech alum who was a championship-winning Cyber Warrior himself during his time as a Tech student.

Indiana Tech’s Cyber Warriors now move on to the Erich J. Spengler Midwest Regional CCDC on March 14 and 15, at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana, to face fellow state champions from Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and the winner of a wildcard round. The winner of the regional will qualify for the national competition. Last year, the Cyber Warriors reached the national level and finished the year as the 10th-best team in the nation.

For six years running, every member of the Cyber Warriors has secured a job in their career field prior to graduating. Indiana Tech has also established a growing national reputation as a producer of top talent in the cybersecurity field. As such, it is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Learn more about Indiana Tech’s cybersecurity program and the Cyber Warriors at academics.indianatech.edu/colleges/cyber-center.

Indiana Tech’s Black Excellence Association has earned the President’s Award from the Martin Luther King Jr. Club (MLK Club) for its impactful work within the Fort Wayne community. Members from this university student organization were on hand to receive the award Monday during the 39th Annual Dr. King Unity Day Celebration at the Parkview Mirro Center.

According to MLK Club President George Hicks, all Unity Day award winners awards have shown exceptional dedication, leadership and commitment to making a positive impact in our community.

“Each of these recipients has embodied the spirit and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through their exceptional work and dedication,” Hicks said. “We applaud their achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued impact on our community and beyond.”

The purpose of Indiana Tech’s Black Excellence Organization (BEA) organization is to educate, empower,and engage members of the Indiana Tech and local communities about issues faced by African Americans and to work towards creating change that will decrease inequities confronting African Americans and other ethnic minorities in society. BEA is also committed to building alliances with other organizations and offer all students the opportunity to learn about the African American culture, as well as provide them with skill sets that will help them become respected leaders of the future.

The MLK Club promotes and honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through community activism, youth engagement and multicultural educational activities.

Givan’s award is one of several that will be presented to individuals who follow in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in pursuit of equality, social justice and opportunities for all Hoosiers. She will receive her award during the 34th Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration on Friday, Jan. 17, at 12 p.m., in the North Atrium of the Indiana Statehouse. The celebration will be live-streamed to the public; visit in.gov/icrc for more information.

“I am deeply appreciative of the impactful work Lisa has done not only at our university on behalf of our students, faculty and staff, but also within the Fort Wayne community,” said Indiana Tech President Dr. Karl W. Einolf. “All of us in the Indiana Tech community congratulate her for this well-deserved recognition.”

Givan is a transformative leader in diversity and inclusion at Indiana Tech and the Fort Wayne community. Her creation and launch of the Leveraging Engagement and Action in Diversity (L.E.A.D.) executive certificate program has achieved national recognition and strengthened ties between Indiana Tech and its corporate partners. She has risen to leadership roles within the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), driving initiatives that expand diversity’s impact across higher education. Beyond her professional contributions, Lisa funds a scholarship for Black students, exemplifying her personal dedication to equity. Recognized with prestigious honors, including the GFW Inc. Champions of Change Award and the ACE Women’s Network Distinguished Women Leader Award, Lisa’s work continues to inspire change and empower communities.

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission enforces the civil rights laws of the State of Indiana. It investigates complaints of discrimination and educate organizations, companies, landords, associations and individuals on their rights and responsibilities under Indiana civil rights laws.

From one-on-one visits to specialized events, Indiana Tech has created so many ways you can experience our beautiful Fort Wayne, Indiana, campus, firsthand. Schedule a visit today. Come talk about your interests with our admissions counselors. Meet with our insightful faculty members. Walk our park-like 50-acre campus and picture yourself as an Indiana Tech Warrior!

If you have already been accepted to Indiana Tech, be sure to register for one of our SelectIT events. SelectIT is an exclusive opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the vibrant campus life and academic excellence that Indiana Tech offers.

• Sunday, Feb. 16*, through Monday, Feb. 17
• Sunday, April 13*, through Monday, April 14
  *Sunday attendance for SelectIT events includes an overnight stay on campus with a current student and is optional.

The event will be held on Friday, April 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., a the Multi-Flex Theater, inside Indiana Tech’s Snyder Academic Center. Cost to attend is $100.

Through thought-provoking discussions, powerful panels and keynote addresses by influential leaders, The Journey Within will explore topics including leadership development, career advancement, self-care and amplifying your voice in professional spaces.

This event is more than a conference—it’s a movement. Together, we’ll honor the strength of Black women, amplify their voices, and provide a powerful launchpad toward a future of boundless potential and success. Join us to be inspired, uplifted and equipped to advance your leadership journey with confidence and purpose!

Diana R. Patton, Esq, will be the feature speaker for the event. She is the CEO and Founder of the Rise With Diana consultancy, the All Rise Global Summit and the Rise Advocates® Academy where she helps corporate women to speak up and advocate for themselves, to be seen, heard and valued for their greatest work, so they get promoted and paid their worth. Diana—the bestselling author of her memoir, Inspiration in My Shoes, and This Yogi’s Journey—is a sought-after subject matter expert and TedX speaker, listed on the APB Global Speaker Network.

Dr. Maurice Stinnett, an experienced leader and expert in the areas of global leadership, strategic planning and organizational transformation, will deliver his keynote address, From Hope to Action: Reflecting on Our Journey and Moving Ahead. Dr. Stinnett is the former lead of diversity, equity and inclusion at Warner Music Group, and was the inaugural vice president of diversity and inclusion for BSE Global, owner of the Barclays Center and the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.

Learn more about the event or register at diversity.indianatech.edu/cultural-events/mlk.

Open Doors released its data today, the first day of International Education Week, which is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. 

The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange is the only long-standing, comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars in the United States and American students studying abroad for academic credit. It is an essential resource for those concerned with U.S. international educational exchange. 

“Since our founding in 1930, Indiana Tech continues to be a place of opportunity for anyone who is seeking high-quality, life-changing education,” said Sharmila Chowdhury, executive director of Indiana Tech International Admissions and Services. “We are proud to be recognized as a university where all are welcome to aspire and achieve.”

Currently, 22 percent of Indiana Tech’s student population is comprised of international students, representing 52 countries. 

The IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey of international educational exchange activity into and out of the United States since 1948. It began publishing the results of the survey annually as the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange in 1955. The Open Doors project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IIE.

Established in 1919, IIE is a global not-for-profit that creates and implements international education programs, conducts research and provides life-changing opportunities for students and scholars worldwide. Its vision is a peaceful, equitable world enriched by the international exchange of ideas and greater understanding between people and cultures.

The following agencies will be available at this event:

• Federal, state and local law enforcement
• Correctional agencies
• Department of Natural Resources
• Regional law schools
• United States Armed Forces