Vice President of Business, Logistics, and Supply Chain
Ivy Tech Community College
6:30 A.M.: I wake up to the sound of my alarm, feeling less than thrilled
because I am not a morning person. My entire workout outfit, including
headphones and gym key, is already laid out next to my bed to make it
easier for me to get up and go.
6:45 A.M.: I head to the gym, trying to avoid my usual excuses. Luckily, it is just a 30-second walk behind my house, so there’s no avoiding it. Today is arms, shoulders and chest day. I aim for three sets of 10 reps for each exercise. Some days I power through, while other days just making it to the gym feels like a win—and a win is a win.
7:30 A.M.: I head back home. I take a moment to read my Bible then go through my morning hygiene routine. I let Charlie, our dog, out to stretch his legs. Since mornings aren’t my strong suit, I make it a habit to prepare the night before. My suit and work items are already laid out, and I’ve packed my lunch in advance. My work bag, complete with my laptop and everything I need for the day, is stationed right by the garage door so I don’t forget it. Again, I am not a morning person.
8:15 A.M.: I turn on the morning news to catch up on traffic, weather and global events. I scroll through social media to see what’s happening around the world, checking in on topics related to the programs I support, as well as news on my favorite sports teams. I also review the newsletters I receive from various industries I engage with and quickly scan my phone for urgent work emails. Most of my meetings are in person today, so I’ll be on the road.
8:30 A.M.: I head out the door with coffee in hand, plus a bottle of water to stay hydrated. I aim to drink 64 ounces a day, with 80 percent of it before noon. Today’s drive will be accompanied by a podcast on learning conversational Greek, setting the tone for a productive day.
9 A.M.: My first meeting of the day is with a representative from the Indiana College Fund at Starbucks in Fishers, where we are discussing long-term funding opportunities for the college’s skills-training programs. Earlier this year, the fund had exhausted its resources, so this meeting provides an opportunity to strategize for the upcoming state funding cycle and exchange valuable contacts that could advance both of our initiatives.
10:30 A.M.: Still at Starbucks, I take a Zoom meeting with an IU organization to explore global learning opportunities for Ivy Tech faculty and students. Thankfully, the coffee shop’s music isn’t too loud, so I can unmute without worrying.
11 A.M.: Next, I’m off to meet with the Statewide Geriatric Workforce Council, which brings together health care, education, government and insurance representatives to address the workforce pipeline in the geriatric industry. This is a great opportunity to highlight the college’s Human Services program and its ability to develop talent pathways for entry-level positions in behavioral health facilities.
“Be flexible. Do not create a too-linear career
pathway; be open to all possibilities. Identify
mentors as early and often as possible.”
12:30 P.M.: I eat my pre-packed salad in the car while catching up on emails. I’ve already hit my water goal for the morning, which feels like a small victory. Then I join a virtual statewide business curriculum meeting to listen in on how courses will be modified for the upcoming academic year. Afterward, I head downtown, continuing my Greek recently retired and is enjoying his newfound free time.
8 P.M.: After dinner, I unwind with a little TV. If it’s football season, I’ll tune into Thursday Night Football. I’m a Baltimore Ravens fan,not an Indianapolis Colts supporter. Since it’s the offseason, I watch a couple of episodes of Suits instead.
9:30 P.M.: I lay out my clothes for tomorrow and place my work bag by the garage door. I don’t need to pack lunch because I’m attending a luncheon in Anderson with ASPIRE tomorrow.
10 P.M.: I turn off my electronics and read for a bit. I’m currently working through “Developing You” by Dr. Gregory Campbell Jr., which focuses on self-development and emotional intelligence.
10:30 P.M.: I attempt to meditate or do yoga to clear my head. I’m not great at either, but they’ve become helpful routines to end the day. I brush my teeth and set my alarm for the morning. Tricia and I chat briefly about our plans for tomorrow—she’s heading to Bloomington for work, so I’ll need to let Charlie out when I get home.
11:30 P.M.: Despite turning off my phone earlier, I check my messages and emails one last time to ensure I haven’t missed anything important. Finally, I call it a night and head t
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Overlooking the causeway in southern Ireland with wife, Tricia
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Cruising through the Florida Everglades on an airboat with son, Christopher, and his girlfriend
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Geared up for the 2024 Solar Eclipse with daughter, Gabriele, and grandson, Eli
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Mixed Dachshund, Charlie, co-attending a Zoom meeting
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About Me
NAME: Julius Edwards, MBA, Ph.D.
JOB TITLE: Vice President of Business,
Logistics, and Supply Chain
COMPANY: Ivy Tech Community College
COMPANY SIZE: 2,000+ employees
MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO: I work with industry
leaders to ensure the courses and
credentials offered at Ivy Tech
Community College align with the
competencies and skills employers
need over the next one to five years.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS:
Before joining
Ivy Tech in various roles, I was a
mutual fund accountant, financial
advisor, new business advisor and
bank manager.
ALMA MATER: Indianapolis Public
Schools, Indiana University –
Indianapolis (BS, Accounting and
Finance), Indiana Wesleyan University
(MBA), and Indiana State University
(Doctorate Degree in Higher
Education Leadership).
INDIANA CPA SOCIETY (INCPAS) INVOLVEMENT: Collaborating with
the Indiana CPA Society to develop
innovative training pathways
for community college students,
fostering connections with industry
leaders and identifying targeted
skills-training opportunities to
support the ongoing professional
development of current CPAs.
When I'm Not at Work
FAMILY: Wife, Tricia, and two children:
Gabriele (31), Christopher (30), grandson,
Eli (9)
PETS: Dog, Charlie, and a rotating
collection of fish
HOBBIES: Traveling, reading and exploring
new restaurants
OTHER MEMBERSHIPS/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The STEM Connection,
Recovery Café, Risk Insurance
Management Society and the Center
for International Business Education
and Research
Advice
BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED:
No matter the size of the task or
opportunity, give it your full attention. It
might not be what you wanted, but it may
be exactly what you needed. There
is learning and growth in every task
and opportunity.
Do you think a day in your life would make a good addition to our series? Contact Katie Kirkton at kkirkton@incpas.org to find out how you can share your story.