About the Program

The Center of Economic and Civic Learning’s Democracy Fellows program is a distinctive initiative designed for students dedicated to exploring and promoting democratic values, civic responsibility, and community engagement. As Democracy Fellows, select students will play a crucial role in fostering leadership, encouraging civic participation, and contributing to research projects that contribute to the ongoing discourse about democracy and civic life.

Become A Democracy Fellow

Why Become a Democracy Fellow?

Foster Leadership: Develop valuable leadership skills through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and community engagement.
Contribute to Research: Be a part of impactful research projects that contribute to the ongoing discourse about democracy and civic life.
Engage with the Community: Inspire others to participate in our democracy by actively engaging with the campus and local community.

Are you passionate about democratic values, civic responsibility, and community engagement? Become a Democracy Fellow and make a difference on campus and beyond.

Apply Now

Ball State’s 2025 Democracy Fellows

2025 Democracy Fellows 

The Center for Economic and Civic Learning at Ball State University is proud to introduce the newly selected 2025 Democracy Fellows—a dynamic group of student leaders committed to strengthening democracy, civic responsibility, and community engagement on campus and beyond. These outstanding students will play a key role in fostering leadership, advancing research, and inspiring civic participation. 

Through their work, the 2025 Democracy Fellows will help build a more informed and engaged campus community. Please join us in congratulating this dedicated group of students:

 

Chloe Voskuhl is a second-year graduate student pursuing an MBA in Artificial Intelligence. She earned her BA from Ball State University in 2021, majoring in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.

During her undergraduate years, Chloe interned with the Center for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution and served as President of Ball State’s Model European Union.

Since graduating, she has worked full-time as the youngest Office Coordinator in Ball State’s history for the Office of Teacher Education Services in the Teachers College.


Dickson Ekabe is a second-year Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology at Ball State University.

I serve as a graduate assistant in the Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies. My academic interests focus on how students’ motivation and beliefs influence their academic outcomes.

Recognizing the role of policy in fostering student success, I am also a member of Educators Engaged in Public Policy (EEPP), where I explore how educational policies impact motivation, learning experiences, and overall academic achievement.


Afton Vanek is a junior at Ball State University studying art history with minors in both Spanish and global studies. Her involvement at Ball State includes a member of Kappa Delta sorority and Vice President of Membership Development for Ball State’s Panhellenic Association.

After completing a National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship program to South Korea in 2022, she served as an Alumni Representative under American Councils for two years, was a fellow on a Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund project and studied abroad at Universidad de las Américas Puebla in the Fall of 2024. Lastly, she spends her free time volunteering with ViaQuest Hospice and Prevent Child Abuse of Delaware County to give back to the Muncie community.
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Diamond Coleman is a senior undergraduate student at Ball State University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She serves as the Vice President of Ball State’s Let’s Talk About It organization and the Secretary of Ball State’s NAACP chapter, where she promotes civic engagement by organizing voter registration drives and representing her chapter at NAACP quarterly meetings, state conventions, and state calls. She is also a College Ambassador for Future Black Leaders Inc., supporting the development of young Black professionals. As a Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry and a Psychology Research Assistant, she is committed to academic excellence and research, currently studying students’ perceptions of instructors fostering intellectual diversity. Through her leadership and advocacy, Diamond is dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces and empowering her community..
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Younique Jones, is a senior majoring in Political Science with a Pre-Law designation. Throughout my time at the university, I have embraced numerous leadership roles both on and off campus. I was a part of the previous intern cohort for the Indiana General Assembly at the House. Currently, I serve as the President of the Black Student Association and as the Secretary of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for SGA cabinet. I also previously served as a Peer Mentor for the First Year Experience program. Additionally, I am a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a community service organization founded on the principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. Beyond my academic and leadership roles, I am a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), certified to work with high-behavior and autistic children. I also serve as an International Admissions Assistant, where I assist international students with their applications to the university, helping them navigate the admissions process. In my free time, I am deeply committed to volunteer work. I have worked with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club and Be My Eyes, which assist individuals who are visually impaired. I also spent a summer tutoring Ukrainian students in English, and I currently serve as a volunteer for the Crisis Text Line. Additionally, I am a volunteer candidate for the United Nations, supporting legal research on legislation for tribal communities in India.
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Caleb Trinoskey is a first-year student and Ball State University majoring in Political Science and Economics with concentrations in American Government and Law. Outside of class, Caleb is involved in the DebateTeam; the Student Government Association, where he serves as an At-Large Senator; the University Governance Financial Aid Committee; and Cardinal Cardboard. He is also involved in the Honors College through the Honors Association for Community Engagement (HACE), News and Notes, and the Whitinger Scholars Program. He has also completed the Teacher-Scholar Program and is always looking for more opportunities to work on research.



Femi Folorunsho is a Media graduate student at Ball State University with a focus on digital communication, misinformation, and AI perception in media. He has held leadership roles as a student representative at differents Student Government Association and is actively involved in student advocacy and community initiatives. His passion for civic engagement is reflected in his work on democratic participation, media literacy, and public discourse. As a 2025 Democracy Fellow, he looks forward to leveraging his skills to promote informed citizenship and meaningful community engagement.
 

Natalie Walker  is a freshman majoring in Urban Planning with a minor in Human Geography. I am a part of the StudentGovernment Association as a senator in the At-Large caucus. I also serve as the chair of the Community and Environmental Affairs committee. I was a part of the Teacher Scholar program in the fall of 2024 andpresented at the Global Research Symposium at the Rinker Center. I am a graphic designer on the Honors College newspaper News and Notes. I am also a part of the Student Planning Association. Off campus I am a part of the program Food Not Bombs and a member of the Strong Towns Muncie chapter.


               
                           

Max Wilkinson is a first year junior at Ball State University studying Sociology concentrating in Diversity with a minor in AfricanAmerican Studies and a Pre-Law designation. Highly involved in Housing and Residence Life, Max is a member of several residential committees and teams. He is also a member of the academic fraternity Alpha Kappa Delta, and he is pursing independent research projects that explore not only civic organizations like veterans affairs, but also how institutions relate to issues like public health and welfare subsidies. Serving as an election judge in local elections, justice and democracy have always been driving forces in Max’s life.

 

Headshot of a smiling woman with medium-length, reddish-brown hair wearing a white blouse and glasses while holding a white roseShaina Miller is a sophomore Whitinger Scholar at Ball State University studying Political Science Pre-Law with a minor in Sustainability and a concentration in Public Administration. She is involved on Bal State's campus through Student Government Association of which she is the Honors College Senate Representative, the Collegiate Caucus Chair, and the Environment and Community Committee Chair. She is also involved through the Honors College Peer Mentor Program, is the Vice President of her sorority, Kappa Delta, and has an Honors Undergraduate Fellowship with Professor Elizabeth Dalton. She is involved off campus through volunteering with Girl Scout Troop 32420 and has worked as Wilderness Canoe Guide for the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 

Abigail Denault Abigail Denault is a junior at Ball State University studying Journalism with a minor in Global Studies. She is involved in Grand Strategy, Security, and Statecraft Group (G3SG) and student media such as the Daily News and Ball Bearings Magazine. In addition, she is a part of the Honors College and the Pathways Program. Previously, she has been a part of the Teacher-Scholar program and served as an election judge in her home state of Illinois. Civic engagement and participation have been a major driving force in her life as her career choice of journalism, with its power to uphold democracy through freedom of information. Programs such as the Democracy Fellows allow her to be a part of a program that promotes the empowerment of citizens to participate in civic duties such as voting through nonpartisan initiatives.

 

Faculty Members at Ball State

Empower your students with firsthand knowledge about voter registration and election information by inviting a Democracy Fellow to your classroom. The Ball State Democracy Fellows Program brings passionate and informed individuals to share their expertise, fostering an engaged and informed student body.

Why Bring a Democracy Fellow to Your Class?

Real-world Insights: Democracy Fellows bring practical experiences in voter registration campaigns and election information, providing students with valuable. Enhance your class with a brief interactive by Ball State’s Democracy Fellows to inspire voter registration and election engagement.

Topics Covered:
Voter Registration Procedures
Election Information
Importance of Informed Voting

How to Request A Democracy Fellow

Fill out our simple online form to express your interest and provide details about your class.

Submit a Request Form