It was an obvious choice for Haley Dickerson to pursue an elementary education degree from Indiana University East.

Why? Nothing compares to what students find here, she believes.

Lower costs. Smaller classes. Nearer her home. Better flexibility with online and on-campus classes.

And better yet: It’s a place that just feels right, like being around family.

“There’s a great sense of community,” said Dickerson, a 22-year-old from Centerville, Ind. “Good on-campus experiences are fostered.”

So are off-campus experiences – such as online classes, student-teaching options and volunteer opportunities.

She had opportunities to get a preview of the IU East experience from the eyes of her mother, Amy, who was awarded a degree in elementary education in 2009.

“I remember her going there. Dad (Eric) took a few classes, too,” Haley said.

She quickly became enamored with teaching as she tagged along with her mom, who teaches at Hagerstown: “I enjoyed spending time in her classroom.”

The family theme continues in another unique way for the Dickersons. Haley’s year-younger brother, Haden, also is graduating this May (with a degree in math).

“We’re very close,” Haley said. “I am happy to be graduating in the same class. We are very supportive of each other. It will be great to have that experience.”

Both were motivated to excel in the classroom with great grades.

“I am a bit of a perfectionist,” said Haley, who is an all-A student. “I was that way in high school, worked hard and asked for help when I needed it.”

Those attributes all helped at IU East and were reasons why she was named the Chancellor’s Scholar in Education as the highest achieving senior in that academic school.

Like many in the Class of 2024, Haley took many online courses out of necessity because the COVID-19 pandemic hit while she was starting college.

“I enjoyed the option,” she said. “It was nice to go a few times a week to have the interaction.”

Haley is searching for a teaching job in an Indiana elementary school – with no preference to grade levels. She also plans to quickly start pursuing a Master’s in Education with an emphasis on learning and curriculum.

“I will see where that takes me,” she said.

She has a wide array of interests and experiences in teaching – Psychology, Spanish and teaching English as a second language.

She has enjoyed Spanish since taking it in the seventh grade.

Haley became a supplemental instruction leader during her second semester at IU East.

“I’ve done it ever since,” she said: “It’s helped me grow in speaking Spanish.”

She also has experience in tutoring and working part-time in local schools.

There’s no doubt that she would steer prospective students toward IU East. “I found everything I wanted, a variety of classes,” she said. “Anybody can find things they like. I feel very well educated. I’ve had a great experience.”