Education

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, totaling more than $1.3 million over three years, for its project, Civic Renewal through Education for Agency, or CREATE. The project is aligned with the American History and Civics Education-National Activities program, which is funded by Congress as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Public Law 114–95. In cooperation with Muncie Community Schools (MCS), Ball State will develop the project as an innovative approach to instruction, student learning, and professional development in civics that will integrate…

By Indiana Department of Education— MCS will offer $250 per student so eligible students receive the full $1,000 in services. INDIANAPOLIS –The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today announced the launch of Indiana Learns, a statewide grant program that will provide qualifying families with up to $1,000 to spend on math and English/language arts high-dosage tutoring and approved out-of-school academic programs for their students. The initiative’s goal is to increase access to effective, out-of-school academic support to help students recover from learning disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Parents and families play such an important role in a child’s education, not…

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN— 300. That’s the astonishing number of children on waitlists at just a handful of childcare centers in Muncie, Indiana. While there may very well be some duplication within that number (some families may put their children on multiple waitlists to better compete for an open spot), it’s a sobering indication of just how bad the national early childhood education crisis is, even at just the local level. And there are more incredible numbers contributing to the crisis: 92, the number of open early childhood teacher positions in Delaware County. $18,000, the annual tuition for some…

By Andy Klotz, APR— MUNCIE, IN— Kira Zick and Kim Kowalski have been selected as Muncie Community Schools’ (MCS) primary and secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively, for the 2021-22 school year. The two were honored today during an employee gathering at Central High School. Zick teaches grades 3 and 4 in the Dual Language Immersion program at West View Elementary, one of six elementary schools in MCS. She received the honor based on her students’ achievement, classroom management, dedication to professional development and other factors. “It’s an awesome honor,” Zick said. “Every teacher is working so hard, so to be…

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University has formed a partnership with Gen.G Global Academy—a high-caliber international esports organization with competitive teams in South Korea, China, and the United States. This partnership expands Ball State’s global influence and role as an innovator in the emerging industry of esports, while offering unique opportunities for student-athletes within Ball State’s esports program in the University’s College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM), and for Gen.G’s student-athletes. “We are excited about this burgeoning partnership and what it can mean for Ball State, CCIM, and Gen.G,” said Dr. Paaige Turner, CCIM…

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Dr. Rashida Willard will join Ball State University as associate vice president of Inclusive Excellence, effective Sept. 19, Dr. Charlene Alexander, chief strategy officer, announced. Dr. Willard, who has more than 20 years of experience in risk mitigation—including more than seven years in higher education at one of the largest community colleges in the Pacific Northwest—will be providing strategic leadership for and overall management of Ball State’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. The unit is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and celebration of diverse faculty, staff, and students who possess a variety of…

By  Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN—Let’s all go to the hop! Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County is welcoming students back with a welcome back sock hop and the community is invited to join in the festivities. Sponsored by Thrive Credit Union, the sock hop will feature local band, Chameleon Bros., family-friendly activities such as caricatures, airbrush tattoos, inflatable axe throwing, free food, costume contests, and more. The event will take place on the first day of classes, August 22nd, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the John and Janice Fisher Building with vendors on Charles and Franklin Streets. Pick up free meal…

By Jennifer Gasiorek— MUNCIE, IN– Pursuing a certificate or degree can be affordable and lead to a great career. Americans need options to maximize their earning potential while saving money to obtain the skills to be workforce ready. Inflation is at a 40 year high and Hoosiers are feeling the pinch of rising costs of gas, groceries, healthcare, and utilities. These rapidly rising costs of living are negatively impacting local families, especially students. Attending Ivy Tech Community College is an option that makes sense. Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County is uniquely navigating these issues by offering a structured schedule along with…

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University honored more than 1,200 graduates on Saturday at its Summer Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2022. The program was held at Worthen Arena on Ball State’s beautiful campus. As part of a time-honored tradition, Ball State selected an outstanding faculty member to address its Summer graduates. On Saturday, Dr. W. Holmes Finch Jr., George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology at Ball State’s Teachers College, delivered his speech, “The Joys of Serendipity, or Wait, How Did That Happen?” Dr. Finch, who has taught and conducted research…