INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Former Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann says a priority of her presidency of Indiana’s community college system will be to match its training programs with the needs of employers.

Ivy Tech Community College trustees voted 11-0 Wednesday afternoon to hire Ellspermann as the school’s president starting July 1.

Ellspermann says Ivy Tech also must improve its degree completion rate. State reports show about 28 percent of full-time Ivy Tech students complete an associate degree within six years.

Ivy Tech board Chairwoman Paula Hughes says Ellspermann brings the right mix of government and education experience to the position.

Ellspermann has a doctorate in industrial engineering and was the founding director of the Center for Applied Research and Economic Development at the University of Southern Indiana. She resigned as lieutenant governor in March.