Our Vision
The vision for CFA Student Success is for every student in the College of Fine Arts to experience a dynamic community where artistic identity, professional readiness, and personal growth evolve in tandem. We aspire to be a leader in fostering student becoming—where students not only develop technical mastery but also cultivate resilience, confidence, and a sense of purpose in an ever-changing creative landscape. We approach students as whole, valuable individuals who are inherently worthy of support. We believe they possess the ability to solve any challenge they face and should have the freedom to do so through their own choices.
SOAR to Success: Pathway to Artistic Excellence
SOAR (Success, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Readiness) courses are designed to support Fine Arts students as they transition into college and grow into their identities as artists, scholars, and individuals. Rather than focusing solely on academic performance, SOAR emphasizes the process of becoming—helping students develop habits, skills, and self-awareness that support long-term success in creative fields. These courses are intentionally structured to meet students where they are while encouraging growth, confidence, and intentional decision-making.
Students earn credit by completing at least 70% of the course requirements. Because learning in SOAR is driven by engagement and effort, a tiered achievement system helps students understand expectations and make informed choices about their level of involvement. These tiers provide flexibility, clarity, and recognition that students grow at different paces and define success in different ways.
- Aspiring Artist – achieves the foundational requirements to pass the class, setting a solid starting point for further growth and learning
- Emerging Artist – demonstrates above-average engagement and effort, actively seeking to maximize learning opportunities and achieve significant progress in the class
- Professional Artist – exhibits exceptional dedication and commitment, fully embracing the class’s challenges and opportunities for growth, resulting in comprehensive benefits and personal development
- Students who achieve the level of Professional Artist are awarded a pin at the annual Student Success Celebration. Those who earn this level for all three courses are awarded a chord for graduation.
SOAR Courses and Events
This course is designed to guide all first-year students with declared majors within the College of Fine Arts (CFA) in the transition to university life and learning. Through exploration and discussion of key concepts of the creative process (idea generation, choice making, drafting and disseminating), CFA 111 employs variety of learning methodologies to equip students with tools necessary to succeed as artists and students of the arts at Ball State University and beyond.
Assists College of Fine Arts majors in developing professional practices that equip them with the skills and assets to advocate for their authentic artistic selves. Through in-depth self, artistic, and career exploration via classroom learning, online resources, and campus opportunities, students will explore a range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following: artistic identity, advocacy, and community, cultivating professional development skills and materials, building connections, and strengthening professional relationships through networking and mentoring practices.
Assists College of Fine Arts majors in transitioning to professional careers in, around, and beyond the arts. Through in-depth exploration via classroom learning, online resources, and campus opportunities, students will explore a range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following: fine-tuning essential skills as applicable to the arts, exploring post-graduation planning and lifetime learning opportunities, contract negotiating, and fiscal sponsorship in and beyond the arts, and extending professional and artistic practices post-graduation.
FAME
Celebrate the arts at this annual showcase featuring live performances, student artwork, organizations, and more from the College of Fine Arts.
CFA Talks
CFA Talks is an annual event that brings together distinguished alumni and arts professionals to share insights, experiences, and career advice with students across the College of Fine Arts.
Student Success Celebration
A celebration of student excellence featuring performances, art, and awards from across the College of Fine Arts.
Director of Student Success
Stephanie Harshman
Stephanie Harshman has a passion for the arts and helping students reach their definition of success through courses, resources, programming, and relationships. After graduating from Ball State in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Studies, Stephanie moved back to her hometown of San Diego, CA to work professionally in theatre arts management in regional theatres throughout San Diego County. Life brought her back to Indiana, where she began a career in higher education.
Stephanie earned a graduate degree in Student Development Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University as well as a certification in professional coaching from Lark’s Song LLC. After working in advising and coaching students around transitions in college, she returned to Ball State in February 2022 as a Student Success Coach. Stephanie returned to the College of Fine Arts as the first Director of Student Success in July 2023. Her hope is that each student leaves Ball State University knowing more about themselves and ready to live courageously.
Resources for CFA Students