Rethinking what it means to be a career and technical education center.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER.

RETHINKING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER.

OUR MISSION

OUR MISSION

To create a holistic system that enables the successful transition of students into connected postsecondary educational institutions as well as an equally accessible community of engaged employers.

To create a holistic system that enables the successful transition of students into connected postsecondary educational institutions as well as an equally accessible community of engaged employers.

OUR VISION

OUR VISION

WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE DO

OUR TEAM

OUR TEAM

CARRIE LIVELY

Executive Director

Carrie comes to the position with more than 15 years’ experience in secondary education, including 11 years of school administration, national CTE policy leadership, and knowledge of Indiana’s CTE programming. Prior to her role with Hamilton County, Lively served as the Senior Director of Indiana’s Office of Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship, which was established in 2018 by the Department of Workforce Development as part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s NextLevel agenda.  Carrie has spent the majority of her career dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for both students and adults across the State of Indiana.

Carrie has worked in the public education system as a teacher, school counselor and school administrator, focusing her efforts on improving education and ensuring equitable access for all students. She has deliberately focused her intentions on expanding educational opportunities that provide students with real-world application of the skills they are learning in the classroom. Carrie has had statewide success in the development and expansion of robust public-private partnerships that connect students with their post-high school aspirations.

Carrie serves on several local, state, and national policy advisory boards that advocate for the connection of transferable skills and classroom learning for students across the country. She is a former Ball State University student-athlete and coach, and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Carrie is currently pursuing her Doctorate with the University of Wisconsin.

KURT CANTLON

Deputy Director

Kurt Cantlon is the Deputy Director of the Pursuit Institute. Prior to joining The Pursuit Institute, Kurt worked in Career and Technical Education as the Director for Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative.  Over the course of his career, Kurt has worked with youth from all different situations and backgrounds throughout Central Indiana.  He started his career as a probation officer and worked in mental health prior to becoming a school counselor.  He has worked in education for the past 14 years as a counselor and administrator. 

As Director for Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative Kurt worked to expand programming options for students, build partnerships with industry, and provide students opportunities to gain hands on experiences in career fields of interest.  He has worked, both as a counselor and administrator, with students to encourage being intentional and active participants in planning for their future through the courses and experiences that they select.  Along with industry partners like Frito Lay, Kurt worked to develop relationships with city and county government, economic development, not-for-profit organizations like Bauer Family Resources and United Way, and Ivy Tech Community College to drive career development for students. 

Kurt is a graduate of Westfield High School and lives in Hamilton County with his wife and 2 boys.  His wife works for Sheridan High School and his boys attend Hamilton Heights Schools.  He received his undergraduate degree from Hanover College.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Counselor Education from IUPUI and he completed his Administration License coursework through Purdue University. 

CINDY KICINSKI

Community Experience Coordinator

Cindy Kicinski is the Community Experience Coordinator for The Pursuit Institute.  She serves as the liaison between businesses, community partners, students, families, membership school districts and The Pursuit Institute to establish and strengthen relationships and programs. Prior to her role with the Pursuit Institute, Cindy was the Career Success Director overseeing Junior Achievement’s JA JobSpark and JA EduSpark.  Cindy enjoys executing creative programs that connect academics and the real world of work and collaborating with local businesses to provide students with hands-on career exploration opportunities.

Cindy has worked in nonprofit with a focus on education, workforce development and community engagement for over 20 years.  She has launched and led many successful programs including Goodwill’s 21st Century Community Learning Center’s After School Program and FutureFocus Summer Camps. Cindy  managed the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program at both the county and state level. With a focus on serving diverse populations, Cindy has led workforce development initiatives at the WorkOne office and at the Department of Workforce Development, for adult jobseekers, high school students and people with disabilities.  

Cindy has assisted in replicating successful career exploration programs for youth throughout the state and country and has consulted with organizations to develop programs benefiting their students. Cindy was a speaker at the JAG National Training Seminar, Junior Achievement’s National Leadership Conference and at the Best Cooperative Practices Charter and Traditional Public Schools Conference.   Cindy has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.

OUR BEGINNINGS

OUR BEGINNINGS

The Pursuit Institute launched in 2021 under the brand “Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement,” making the long-time dream of the educational and government leaders in Hamilton County a reality. With visionary leadership from the Hamilton County Council, Commissioners, and public school superintendents, the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement was established and then proceeded to: