Summer Bridge

At Ball State, we provide a distinctive series of co-curricular programs and services meant to support and engage our incoming first-year students as they transition to campus each August. For more than twenty years, Ball State has put on Summer Bridge Programs that provide opportunities for students to connect with peers, faculty, and staff while experiencing campus and the Muncie Community before the first day of class. Our students who have participated in the Summer Bridge programs often point to that experience as a key factor in their sense of belonging on campus and confidence in their abilities to be successful at Ball State.

The safety of our students, their families, and our employees are paramount during COVID-19 so we have made the unprecedented move to conduct Summer Orientation “virtually” this year. Although we are planning to resume appropriate in-person academic activities and many campus operations for the Fall semester within the context of the public health crisis, we are suspending all our Summer Bridge Programs for August 2020. Given the important student success outcomes associated with our Summer Bridge Programs, we will instead focus our effort on contributing to the student transition and student connection programs during Welcome Week and the critical First Six Weeks of the Fall semester. Information about Welcome Week will be available in August.

NOTE: EXCEL is holding a virtual program for August 2020. Click EXCEL below to learn more about the virtual program.

Get a head start on college and set yourself up for success. Our special summer programs for Fall 2021 incoming freshmen will help you meet other students, build confidence, learn leadership skills, and get more familiar with Ball State University – all before your first day of classes. Have fun, make friends, and challenge yourself as your prepare for your first year on campus. 

Accelerate

Develop the skills you’ll need to succeed at Ball State by learning how to get involved in student activities, develop leadership skills, succeed academically, explore campus, and make friends. Learn more.

Career Connections

Uncover career goals and make plans to get you exactly where you need to be through college and thereafter. This program is organized in partnership with our Career Center. Learn more.

Cardinal Leadership and Service Seminar (CLASS)

Gain valuable experience in service, citizenship, leadership, and academic success. Past participants have gone on to serve as student mentors, student president, and as the student representative on the University’s Board of Trustees. Learn more.

Early Start

Move in early and spent three extra days getting familiar with Ball State and earn college credit by participating in seminars. You’ll attend sessions covering a dozen topics such as preparing for college, criminal justice in pop culture, visual design, and more. Learn more. 

EXCEL

Designed for first-year students of color and first-generation college students, this program partners first-time freshmen with older classmates, who serve as mentors who guide them through the transition to Ball State. Learn more.

Smoky Mountain Adventure

Explore the Smoky Mountains during this summer camping trip, organized by our Outdoor Pursuits program. You’ll get to go rafting, paddle boarding, mountain biking, zip lining, and more. Learn more.

Ball State students are leaders both in and out of the classroom. From leadership organizations, seminars, and even opportunities to earn academic course credit, there are many opportunities to develop your leadership skills!

Beneficence Leadership Conference

Join us Saturday, February 8th in the Student Center for the 3rd annual Beneficence Leadership Conference. This conference will include two keynote speakers, three session blocks, a meal card, and a day of growing your leadership abilities. Registration is now open. Learn more.

Excellence in Leadership

The Excellence in Leadership (EIL) program helps students discover their leadership identity and establish and define their leadership style. The program utilizes weekly workshops and experiential activities to help emerging leaders develop a strong leadership skill set. Students can earn up to 4 credits by participating in EIL. Learn more.

Speaker Series

Each year, the Excellence in Leadership Speaker Series brings nationally recognized speakers to campus. These events are free and open to the public. Learn more.

Workshops

Generally open to the entire student population, our weekly workshops feature presentations by faculty, staff, and alumni from an array of backgrounds. Learn more.

Leadership Studies Minor 

Offered in partnership with the Department of Educational Leadership in the Teachers College, this 18-credit minor will equip with skills needed to lead any type of organization. Learn more.

Serving the community is a great way to meet new friends, make community connections, and have some fun! Whether you are tutoring children, visiting the elderly in long-term care facilities, or donating your time at local food banks or soup kitchens, you will gain practical work-related skills that will benefit you in the future.

Student Voluntary Services

Looking to volunteer for one of the organizations in the Muncie area? Student Voluntary Services can help connect you! Learn more.

Volunteer for an Agency

View our database of volunteer opportunities in our area or search our list of Muncie organizations by their fields. Learn more.

Service Learning

Faculty members can work with Student Voluntary Services to incorporate community service into their curriculums. Learn more.

Alternative Breaks

Spend Spring Break or Fall Break traveling to another community with fellow students. You’ll spend your time off helping a nonprofit agency through volunteer projects. Learn more. 

Cardinal Kitchen

Cardinal Kitchen is a food pantry on Ball State’s campus. Open the last three Tuesday’s of every month, the pantry is housed in the Multicultural Center. Learn more.

The Office of Student Life is committed to celebrating diversity by bringing together the Ball State community to learn more about themselves and others as multicultural beings. We also strive to engage students in conversations about equity and justice in order to allow them to champion these efforts and support their peers in student organizations and on campus.

Student wearing hatAsian American Student Association

The Asian American Student Association (AASA) is a group of students whose purpose is to provide educational and social programming about Asian American history, culture, and interests. The primary goal of AASA is to strengthen cultural pride and facilitate the development of a campus environment conducive to equity and appreciation. Learn more. 

Black Student Association membersBlack Student Association

The Black Student Association (BSA) strives to help Ball State preserve, advance, and represent the social and intellectual aspects of Black Culture on campus. BSA’s mission is to aid in the growth and development of Ball State students through a series of culturally, socially, and academically focused discussions and programs from a unique African-American perspective. Learn more.

Latinx Student Union exhibitionLatinx Student Union

The Latinx Student Union (LSU) promotes the identity and unity of Latinx students at Ball State University through intellectual, cultural, and social growth.  LSU is dedicated to increasing visibility and involvement on campus and in the Muncie community. Learn more.

Spectrum membersSpectrum

Spectrum is a student organization that advocates and creates space for gender, romantic, and sexual minorities (GRSM).  Its mission is to provide support to create a comfortable, confidential, and accepting atmosphere for Ball State students. Spectrum hosts programs and events that are educational, inclusive, and cultural. Learn more.

Unity Week is a long-standing and historic staple to campus. Since 1980, Unity Week remains dedicated to unifying the Ball State community through enlightening social, cultural, and educational events. Hosted by the Multicultural Center, it aims to challenge perspectives on matters of diversity, inclusivity, and solidarity in an evolving social climate.

The week of events of planned by student organization leaders and professional staff from across the university. The Office of Student Life sponsors annual signature experiences of the week. 

Student on stageUnity Pageant

The Unity Scholarship Pageant originated in 1968. Completely student-run, this scholarship-earning opportunity highlights student philanthropy, talents, and academics. The pageant strives to promote unity and engages audiences of 300+ annually as the Mr./Ms./Mx. Unity is crowned. Email us to get involved!

Students poseQueer Monologues

Queer Monologues is a powerful and theatrical performance of coming-of-age and coming-out stories. Stories address humorous, challenging, heartbreaking, and real experiences many folx in the queer community face.

Student doing a skit

Latinxpalooza

Latinxpalooza brings life to Unity Week with song and dance in this non-competitive talent show! The Latinx Student Union invites folks from all backgrounds to showcase talents, including cultural dance, song, poetry, puppetry, and more. Email us to get involved

Lavender Graduation is an annual program conducted on numerous campuses nationwide to honor gender, romantic, and sexual minority (GRSM/LGBTQ+) students to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the University. It is a special event to acknowledge unique challenges overcome.

At Ball State, the Office of Student Life holds an annual spring ceremony to give space and affirmation for student persistence. 

A student’s journey at Ball State is uniquely enriched. For some, finding a campus family is invaluable. Others find their voice within their leadership growth. 

Hear from some Cardinals who fly in the Office of Student Life.

“Spectrum has been a supportive family to me for the past four years! Every week I am able to look forward to enjoying the space we create and getting to know our community and allies.

“Without Spectrum, I would not have the lifelong friends I have made, the leadership position I am thriving in, and the ability to advocate to a wider audience of future professionals. The organization has built my awareness, passion, confidence, and ability to go out into the world and proudly say ‘I am Queer.’”

The fear and anxiety of being far from home can be powerful. For Jerry, finding his family at Ball State has opened doors and kept him here on the path to a degree and a fulfilling future.

“Coming to college my freshmen year, I did not think I was going to fit-in anywhere. The first month, I was too scared to go to any clubs until a friend and I went together. I enjoyed it very much, so I kept coming back every week and they accepted me with open arms. It changed everything. I now know that I have a family here at Ball State, thanks to LSU.”

It can be difficult to predict how much we will learn from an experience.  For Tamia, the value from her engagement in the Office of Student Life is priceless and will carry with her forever.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect out of last year. I was a first time RA, on the executive board for LSU, and of course took new classes. All of that taught me many lessons and has strengthened my beliefs of what I want to do with my life.

“Specifically with LSU (AASA, BSA, and Spectrum) has opened my eyes to intersectionalities between all 4 groups BUT has shown me how much we ignore those intersectionalities. Our values are about establishing a family and safe space, supporting others within and outside our group, and spreading cultural awareness to our best ability. The result is respect and love for all and more.”