Ryan Family Scholars and Navigator Program

Group of students, and staff stand in front of the Teachers College building on the Ball State University campus.

Historic Gift Creates Scholarship and Support Program

Ryan Family with Scholars and TC Leadership

A $1.45 million commitment from a Ball State University alumna, Michelle Ryan, and her husband Jim Ryan, represents the largest single gift in the history of Teachers College.

Learn more.

Michelle and Jim Ryan have established the Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship and the Ryan Family Navigators Program. These initiatives assist students from economically challenged backgrounds by providing financial assistance and comprehensive student support services to them. Recipients will express a commitment to addressing economic barriers that often impede meaningful educational opportunity for all students.

Ryan Family Scholars

The Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship cover all costs—including tuition, fees, and room and board—for approximately 16 Ryan Scholars over the next seven years. The Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship recipients are selected based on criteria established by the Ryan family in conjunction with Ball State Teachers College.

The current cohort of Ryan Family Scholars:

Noah Baynum - Teaching Major, Mathematics
Sabrina Cheek - Teaching Major, Social Studies
Jasmin Cruz-Sanchez - Early Childhood Education Major
Katheryn Doornbos - Elementary Education Major
Camille Drummer - Early Childhood Education Major
Isabella (Izzy) Fuentes - Music Education Major
Jaslyn Hurt - Elementary Education Major
Mya Johnson - Teaching Major, Physics
Jamie Johnson Harris - Elementary Education Major
Isaiah Kimp - Teaching Major, Social Studies
Claire Laffin - Teaching Major, English/Language Arts
Grainger Maxwell - Special Education, Exceptional Needs: Mild Intervention Major
Benjamin Raymond - Teaching Major, English/Language Arts
Janet Ruiz - Special Education, Exceptional Needs: Intense Intervention Major
Erika Shock - Special Education, Exceptional Needs: Intense Intervention Major
Jaxsin Tucker - Teaching Major, English/Language Arts Major
Josselline Valdez Salinas - Elementary Education Major
Layah Vasquez - Early Childhood Education Major
Candice Williams - Art Education Major
Kori York - Elementary Education Major

Headshots of the Ryan Family Scholars.

Ryan Family Navigator Program

The 2024-2025 Student Success Handbook is now available digitally. The handbook (previously titled Advising Handbook) continues to serve as a resource for new undergraduate students and will be distributed through orientation programs during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Cover of the 2024-2025 Student Success Handbook

While the handbook still includes important academic and advising information, it has intentionally been expanded to highlight other student success initiatives within University College and across campus Go to handbook.

In conjunction with The Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship, The Ryan Family Navigators Program serves as a hub for student support and provides comprehensive student services to all teaching majors, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college and/or they have financially challenging backgrounds.

Current Services Offered:

Student Success Coaching
Academic, Career, and Personal Development Workshops
Campus Resource Navigational Support

Students, faculty, and advisors should use the Ryan Family Navigators Referral Link to connect with program staff for services.

Ryan Family Navigator Program Staff

Headshot of a woman standing in front of the Teachers College building on the Ball State University campus.

Kizmin Jones

Assistant Director of Student Success and Coordinator of the Ryan Navigators Program

Headshot of a man standing in front of the Teachers College building on the Ball State University campus.

Bill Ritchey

Teachers College Director of Student Success

Headshot of the Ryan Family Scholars Graduate Assistant

Antoinette Asabea Addo

Antoinette Asabea Addo is a Graduate Assistant working with the Ryan Family Navigator Program. She is a student in the Public Administration masters program.