Ball State proudly supports city, county, and regional initiatives that guide current and future development. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to connect with these strategic priorities. Every year we also honor a local organization for their excellent partnership in community-engaged learning experiences.
Our local and regional partners include:
Ball State has entered into an historic partnership with Muncie Community Schools, serving as the lead agent in the development of a community-wide vision and plan for the school corporation. Visit their website.
The United Way funds organizations across our county aimed at ending generational poverty by promoting education, health, and financial stability. Each year, hundreds from our campus participate in the United Way’s Day of Action and even more contribute funds through the Ball State Employee United Way Campaign. Our volunteers and immersive learning courses support the efforts of United Way-funded organizations across the community. Visit their website.
Co-chaired by the presidents of Ball State University and IU Health East Central Region, Next Muncie is a long-term redevelopment and revitalization initiative with representatives of Muncie’s private, public, and philanthropic sectors Visit their website.
This strategic plan, created through extensive community input in 2010 and revised in 2013 and 2017, directs city-wide efforts to make Muncie an attractive, desirable place for individuals, families, and businesses. Visit their website.
As one of the first partners of the Healthy Community Alliance, Ball State faculty and staff serve on the alliance steering committee and workgroups that address the top health needs of our community—improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and decreased tobacco use. Visit their website.
Ball State has been a longtime partner with the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance’s VISION program, which issues five-year economic development plans representing public and private partnerships across the community. Visit their website.
The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership teams with local economic development organizations and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to market the assets and resources of the ten-county region, resulting in capital investments, new jobs, and growth of existing businesses. Visit their website.
The coalition is a strategic community-academic partnership between Delaware County and Ball State University, seeking to increase the substance use harm-reduction, prevention, treatment, and recovery community capacities in Delaware County. The coalition has representation from more than 15 health organizations, businesses, and government agencies, with a membership registry of more than 160 residents and stakeholders. Visit their website.
The East Central Indiana Talent Collaborative is a 21st Century Talent Region collective impact initiative made up of key stakeholders from seven ECI counties – Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, Rush and Wayne – to pursue shared prosperity through equitable and dynamic talent attraction, talent development, and talent connection. Ball State Office of Community Engagement serves as the Collaborative’s backbone organization. Visit their website.
We have enjoyed a positive partnership with Ball State for many years…the Office of Community Engagement provides a valuable central point of access to the university and actively demonstrates Ball State’s commitment to Muncie/Delaware County.
—Jay Julian, President and CEO of the
Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce