By Ball State Communications—
MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University has introduced a new Talent Pipeline Toolkit designed to help communities and businesses across Indiana more easily access University resources that support workforce development and local economic growth.
The toolkit, developed by Ball State’s Office of Governmental Relations and Industry Engagement, centralizes information about the University’s wide range of programs and outreach initiatives. It provides a user-friendly, digital “one-stop shop” to help local leaders—from chambers of commerce to county officials and business executives—discover opportunities to collaborate with Ball State in ways that are simple, accessible, and impactful. Many of these programs are designed to be accessed directly in communities across Indiana.
“We are proud to be the public research university in Indiana that is committed to serving the people and taxpayers of our state,” said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “Approximately 80 percent of our graduates entering the workforce choose to do so in Indiana. This toolkit builds on that commitment by connecting communities and employers with the programs, partnerships, and talent pipelines that strengthen our economy and improve quality of life in communities throughout Indiana.”
Among the highlighted initiatives in the Talent Pipeline Toolkit are:
- County Ambassador Program, which connects Indiana communities with Ball State students who promote their home counties on campus.
- Indiana Connection Lounge, an on-campus space for employers to connect directly with students.
- Immersive Learning projects, where student–faculty teams partner with organizations to solve community challenges.
- Mentoring, faculty externships, and skills infusion programs, aligning academic experiences with industry needs.
- Graduate and Lifetime Learning programs, expanding opportunities for working professionals across Indiana.
“Our goal with this toolkit is to demonstrate how attainable and valuable these partnerships can be,” said Becca Rice, vice president for governmental relations and industry engagement. “By putting these opportunities in one place, we hope to break down barriers, encourage collaboration, and strengthen local talent pipelines to allow communities to take action. We are grateful to the many stakeholders who have helped shape these resources, and we look forward to building even stronger connections with communities and employers across our state.”
The Talent Pipeline Toolkit is available now on Ball State’s Industry Engagement website at bsu.edu/industry/engage.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 20,000 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University.
