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Jim Banks (R-IN)
Jim Banks has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. In the 116th Congress, he serves on the Education and Labor, Veterans’ Affairs, and Armed Services Committees. Rep. Banks is a member of the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus.
Universities in Rep. Banks' district:
Indiana by the Numbers
Q&A with Rep. Banks
My district is rich in independent colleges: Grace College, Huntington University, Indiana Tech, University of St. Francis, and Trine University are all located in northeast Indiana. My family also has a strong tie to one of those schools -- I received my MBA from Grace, and my wife, Amanda, currently works for the college. The independent colleges in my district make unique and significant contributions to their communities -- economically, intellectually, culturally and spiritually. I want to work to ensure that their contributions continue.
The many independent colleges in northeast Indiana provide quality accessible education to students from near and far, while employing hundreds of people and providing a plethora of cultural and entertainment opportunities. From concerts and plays to lectures and debates, athletic events and much more, private schools greatly enhance the culture and community of the towns where they reside. Independent colleges greatly benefit our local economy and culture from their involvement in our community and the skills and temperament they impart to graduates.
Several independent schools in my district now offer online degree programs which allow nontraditional college students to obtain the education they need to launch successful careers and provide for their families. I personally benefited from one such program -- the MBA at Grace College. Grace has also employed significant innovation to make higher education more affordable by offering a three-year bachelor’s degree program in any of its 70-plus majors, and a blended degree program that allows students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just four years.
Two major problems with education are affordability and the growing skills gap in the U.S. Like many Americans, my family and I struggled with figuring out how to pay for my college. While I was fortunate to choose a career path that led to gainful employment, many are not as lucky. Currently, 100,000 jobs in Indiana are unfilled because workers do not possess the requisite skills needed for those jobs. I recently introduced legislation that would increase flexibility in the Pell Grant program to help lower the costs of education in career fields most sought after by employers. This common-sense bill would help shrink the skills gap while providing valuable financial resources to students.
Greatly. My MBA program at Grace College was online-based, offering me the chance to earn a living as I worked toward my degree. During my time in school, I worked in commercial construction and real estate, and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. The skills I learned at Grace helped me in each of those endeavors and continue to serve me in the halls of Congress. My education also influenced my worldview and enhanced my faith. For me, college is not just an educational journey but a spiritual one as well –- something that the many thousands of other independent college graduates understand as well.
Testimonials
William J. "Bill" Katip, Ph.D.
"Rep. Banks seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities independent colleges face, and he works to offer meaningful solutions and ideas to them. He is also attuned to the needs of businesses for a more skilled workforce and champions programs that make college as affordable as possible. I appreciate his willingness to ask questions, learn and engage on our issues. We are proud to have Rep. Banks as an alumnus of Grace College and our representative in Congress."
- William J. "Bill" Katip, Ph.D.
President, Grace College (IN)
Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D.
“Rep. Banks has been a loyal supportive friend to Northeast Indiana and higher education. He is always eager to understand our issues related to affordability, financial aid, Pell Grant support, addressing the skills gap, and the Higher Education Reauthorization Act…..he makes it a point to be well informed to represent our views.”
- Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D.
President, Trine University
Sherilyn Emberton, Ed.D.
“Congressman Banks fully engages with the higher educational institutions serving his constituencies. While a state senator for Indiana, he served on the President’s Advisory Council for Excellence at Huntington University. He also made time to be part of the Independent Colleges of Indiana Association as a legislative representative.”
- Sherilyn Emberton, Ed.D.
President, Huntington University (IN)
David W. Wantz, Ed.D.
"Independent Colleges of Indiana considers Jim Banks one of our own. As an alum (MBA) of one of our colleges, former ICI Board member, and Indiana General Assembly representative, and now member of the U.S. Congress and House Education and Labor Committee, Rep. Banks has always been an advocate for and friend to our 30 private college and universitiy members."
- David W. Wantz, Ed.D.
President and CEO, Independent Colleges of Indiana