Ivy Tech Community College has named Mark Melnick as executive director of workforce strategic partnerships, assuming the role on June 25, 2018. In this role, Melnick will serve as a key strategic advisor to the South Bend/Elkhart campus and community, regarding community relations and fulfilling workforce training needs, of both local and regional business and industry.

“We look forward to Mark joining Ivy Tech and our South Bend/Elkhart campus community area in this new role,” said Thomas G. Coley, chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College South Bend/Elkhart campus. “This new position helps to solidify our commitment to meeting the area’s demands to increase workforce development. Mark’s appointment greatly enhances our opportunities for further collaboration with the workforce region, community organizations and businesses.”

Melnick currently serves as technical training manager for Benteler Automotive NAO. He is involved in the NAO Benteler Academy by coordinating, defining and delivering trainings to five Benteler facilities across the United States. He works with high school career technical centers to design pathways for current high school students to enter junior apprenticeships while completing their high school education, and is deeply involved in leadership with the Elkhart county-wide Advanced Manufacturing Sector Partnership creating and implementing collaborative training among 15 manufacturers.

“Manufacturing businesses in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties are universally experiencing a significant shortfall in skilled and engaged associates, said Melnick. “As technology and Industry 4.0 continue to advance, the need for higher skilled associates is becoming more critical. Ivy Tech Community College is the state educational entity that can partner with businesses to help address the training of incumbent associates, provide credentialed pathways for high school students to great careers, and to provide apprenticeship training. I look forward to working with local businesses and Ivy Tech campuses as together we explore creative and innovative solutions to these challenges.”

Prior to his current role, Melnick served as a training specialist for Benteler Automotive. His career also includes serving as the environmental, health and safety, and training manager for Crown ERAM, LLC, process quality assurance, training and safety manager for Glenmount Global Solutions (formerly Crown ESA), and various other roles with Magnetech Industrial Services, Inc., H&G Services, Inc., and Allison Controls and Automation. Melnick has been a consultant with Progressive Performance Services since 2010, specializing in performance consulting technologies.

Melnick earned his Master’s degree from Indiana University and his Bachelor’s degree from Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. More recently, he earned his Post Graduate Certificate in Training and Human Performance Improvement from Capella University, Minn.

Locally, Melnick serves as the chair for the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Partnership in Elkhart County and as a member of the Technical Advisory Board for Ivy Tech.