American Indian Model Schools
Under the leadership of Ben Chavis (Lumbee), a Native American professor, AIPCS students made considerable progress in academic scores from 2000 to 2007, and enrollment increased at the school. The first middle school, AIPCS, received national recognition in 2007. Some of Chavis's disciplinary methods and his treatment of students and teachers generated controversy, and he resigned as principal in 2007. But the board voted to maintain him in an influential executive role at the school and with the model school system. In 2012 Chavis ended his ties with the charter system (although his children remained as students) and returned to his home state of North Carolina.
Indian Hills Community College
The college has experienced relatively low turrnover in the school administration since its founding. Dr. Mel Everingham, who oversaw the merger of the disparate institutions into IHCC, remained on as the college's first President, serving until 1973. Dr. Lyle Hellyer took over as President in 1973 and over the next twenty-eight years orchestrated considerable growth in campus facilities, student enrollment, and program offerings. He retired in 2001 and the Hellyer Student Life center is named in his honor. In 2001 Dr. Jim Linenmayer was named the third President of IHCC. Linenmayer began his career at Indian Hills in 1980 as a college recruiter. Under his leadership student enrollment increased by 45-percent, the Job Corps center was opened, and new academic programs were introduced. In early May, 2013 Lindenmayer announced his retirement as IHCC President. On May 13, 2013 the IHCC Board of Trustees named Dr. Marlene Sprouse as Lindenmayer's successor. Sprouse, previously the Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs, becomes the colleges fourth President when Lindenmayer officially steps down in Fall, 2013. She is an IHCC alumnus and previously served as Dean of the IHCC - Centerville campus.