Soria selected to take the helm of Michigan City Pejic campus
Ivy Tech Community College Northwest has named Rick Soria as vice chancellor/dean of the Michigan City Pejic Campus. As vice chancellor/dean he will be responsible for the daily administrative operation on the campuses. Soria replaces Jerry Huddleston who retired at the end of 2011.
Soria has been with the college since 2002 when he was brought on to create Ivy Tech’s first mortuary science program. As chair he guided the program through a rigorous accreditation process in 2005 making it the 55th American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredited program in the country. Under his leadership, the College developed partnerships that led to internships with vendors and funeral homes in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.
In 2007, he was selected as dean of the School of Public and Social Sciences where he provided direction for program improvement, development, and review and changes to meet student and employer needs. That same year he was recognize with the President’s Award for outstanding instruction in the classroom. Recently, he directed the accreditation process for the hospitality program. Soria serves on serving boards including, Valparaiso mayor Costas’ Advisory Human Relation’s Council, the Regional Bus Authority, the Race Relations Council of Northwest Indiana.
Soria received his bachelors in business management from Calumet College of St. Joseph, his technical certificate in mortuary science from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Illinois, and his juris doctorate of law from Valparaiso University School of Law.
“His success as faculty and school dean has prepared him to take on this new challenge. The opportunity to have individuals advance within the institution is a great statement both about the nature of the College and the professional growth experiences he has undergone. This is an exciting time for Ivy Tech, and we look forward to the more intensive involvement of Rick not only at his campus, but throughout the community as well,” said Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra.
Soria will begin his new assignment June 18.