Role's main responsibilities: provide overall leadership for institutional communications, marketing, public relations, and events

Julie came to Ivy Tech Indianapolis with 25+ years of marketing and communications and leadership experience across a variety of industries and business models, including a national retailer, a global engineering consulting firm, a national franchise chain, a national cooperative in the power transmission and industrial bearings industry, higher education, and full-service agency experience. While she initially thought her college career path was destined for broadcast journalism, Julie quickly realized that her passion and career aspirations fell more in alignment with (behind the camera) journalism, marketing, and the arts.

From her 10 years in Denver, Colorado, and three years in Sydney, Australia, she has a love for both the mountains and the ocean, and travel. Yet her deep Hoosier roots brought her back home, and she appeases her wanderlust with trips to places on her bucket list as life permits. In her personal time, Julie loves to spend time with her husband and 9-year-old son. She enjoys a nice glass of New Zealand Marlborough Sauv Blanc, Netflix binge-watching when time permits, party planning, tending to her vegetable and flower garden, and zipping around on her cruiser bike.

Role's main responsibilities: supports marketing and communications functions as they relate to the overall list of projects and client requests, regarding the analysis of and managing “traffic” and production, as well as some graphic design.

Jada Owens is a communications and marketing professional with a background in media advertising and a passion for impactful storytelling. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Advertising with a concentration in persuasion and behavior.

Jada brings experience in digital strategy, content creation, and community engagement, with a strong focus on connecting with diverse audiences in meaningful ways. She is known for her creativity, strategic thinking, and ability to communicate with clarity and purpose.

At the core of her work is a commitment to making a positive difference through authentic, inclusive communication that informs, inspires, and uplifts.

Aly earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality and food management from Ball State University, and she possesses 20+ years of experience in event planning, facilitation, community outreach, and team coaching/development.

She has a passion and commitment to guest service and event planning and enjoys working with guests and clients to ensure that their special event exceeds their expectations on every level. Aly comes to Ivy Tech Indianapolis with a wealth of event planning and execution experience stemming from roles with Donato’s Pizza, Mavris Arts and Events Center, Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, and she even had the opportunity to “make MAGIC happen” daily as a cast member for the Walt Disney Company where she went through extensive hospitality training.

Jess is proud to be a part of the Ivy Tech Indianapolis team! As the Event Coordinator, she enjoys helping create a wonderful experience for all clients and growing closer to the community around her. Her previous roles in the wedding industry and Parks & Recreation all share the same focus: providing guest service excellence and elevating experiences for the community. Having recently earned her B.S.R. in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management from Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!), she is excited to grow with her events team and learn from the best.

Out of the office, Jess can be found behind a camera taking photos of nature and people, seeking new artists and genres, and spending time with her friends & family. Fun fact: with little experience in competitive cycling, Jess had the honor of training for and competing in the 2023 Little 500 during her college years, sparking a love for cycling. She also loves hiking, swimming, and traveling when she is not at an event. Jess has and will always be a "party planner," and she is most looking forward to seeing the positive impact on the campus community through events here at Ivy Tech Indianapolis.

Cassady Sobczak is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington with a degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management. As an Event Coordinator, Cassady is passionate about every detail that goes into planning and executing events, from the initial idea to the final experience. With a focus on organization, creativity, and client relationships, she enjoys connecting with people and ensuring that each event is seamless and memorable. 

Outside of the office, Cassady enjoys spending time with her family and friends, knitting, doing puzzles, going on walks, and anything that includes baking. Her favorite thing to make is homemade pumpkin bread, especially on a cool fall day (her favorite season). Cassady is thrilled to be part of our team and is ready to plan your perfect event!

Erik Santana is a proud Ivy Tech Community College graduate, holding an AAS in Computer Science and Programming with a minor in Troubleshooting. As Audio Video Event Manager, Erik oversees AV technicians and partners with the Events team to coordinate AV requirements. His role extends beyond scheduled duties—he is known across campus as the person who “appears when needed,” ready to troubleshoot any challenge, big or small.

Dedicated to service, Erik prides himself on delivering high-quality support and ensuring customer satisfaction. He often works behind the scenes in the early hours of the day, going above and beyond for the benefit of his team and the entire campus community. Guided by his personal mantra—a modern take on the golden rule: do good, be good, feel good, love well—Erik has earned the trust and respect of colleagues throughout Ivy Tech.

Outside of work, Erik enjoys caring for his cockatiels, indulging in his favorite Red, White, and Blue Bomb Pops, and occasionally taking the stage for karaoke. Despite these fun outlets, he ultimately values a quiet, peaceful lifestyle.

Carlos Lizarazu serves as the Audio-Visual Technician at Ivy Tech. He has a passion for technology and enjoys helping others, which makes his role especially rewarding as he supports events and classrooms at Ivy Tech. Because technology grows and changes every day, he makes it a priority to stay updated with new technologies and apply them to his daily duties. He considers himself analytical and focused, strengths that he uses in his professional and academic experiences. 

When he was a student at Ivy Tech, he had the honor of leading one of the student organizations and was recognized as the Outstanding Student Organization President of the Year. Outside of work, he enjoys playing sports such as soccer and volleyball, and he also volunteers with Veritas Leadership and Education. Altogether, Carlos is committed to growing as a professional while continuing to serve others through technology and leadership.