Education

By Andy Klotz— INDIANAPOLIS – Rising early literacy proficiency rates, improved attendance rates and above average graduation rates are just a few of the reasons Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has been placed in the national spotlight by StriveTogether, a network of local communities across the country working to help young people get on a path to economic mobility. StriveTogether, based in Cincinnati, leads this network in order to reverse the trend of declining economic mobility of children. With only half of today’s young people expected to make more money than their parents – less than that for children of color…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana — The Ball State University Board of Trustees on Friday approved the scope, budget, and site plan for Village Green—Site 4 of the University’s Village Revitalization Plan. Village Green will be located on the southwest corner of Martin Street and University Avenue in Muncie. It will be a welcoming gathering space designed to strengthen connections between campus and the broader Muncie community. “Village Green represents the kind of thoughtful investment that makes The Village even more attractive to people in our community,” said Brian Gallagher, chair of the Ball State Board of Trustees. “With today’s…

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— COWAN, IN—With applications in to 15 colleges and universities, Cowan Junior/Senior High School senior Taylor Young has a variety of options available for her future. Young plans to become an attorney specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury, a career she’s picked at age 10 thanks to influence from her mother’s previous work as a paralegal. “I feel like I can think outside the box,”…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab) has partnered with Mechdyne to help deliver immersive, educational 3D experiences to higher education institutions, museums, and other organizations through Mechdyne’s getReal3D for Unity platform. The collaboration combines Mechdyne’s advanced visualization technology with IDIA Lab’s expertise in creating historically accurate, interactive virtual environments, resulting in a curated library of ready-to-use demonstration experiences for virtual reality systems. As part of the collaboration, Ball State students working through the IDIA Lab have contributed to the creation, testing, and refinement of immersive learning content—gaining experience with real-world production…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — The Ball State University Foundation today revealed the recipients of the University’s annual “Top 100 Student Awards,” now in its fifth year of recognizing outstanding undergraduate student achievement. This awards program honors 100 exceptional junior and senior undergraduates who represent beneficence in three areas: academic excellence, campus leadership, and community impact. The full list of Ball State’s 2026 Top 100 Students is available on the Foundation’s website. “We’re proud to celebrate this remarkable group of students through the Top 100 Student Awards for a fifth year,” said Lola Mauer, associate vice president of engagement and…

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE – Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement is now accepting proposals for the 2025 Community Engagement for the Arts (CEFTA) Grant. This competitive grant program provides up to $35,000 annually to an East Central Indiana community arts-focused organization or program. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 27. To apply for the grant or for more information, go to https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/community-engagement/arts-grant-application The Community Engagement for the Arts Grant affirms Ball State’s commitment to community engagement with the greater arts community of East Central Indiana by promoting broad participation to our various community arts organizations. This grant…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The application for the American Association of University Women, Muncie Branch, nontraditional student scholarship is now available. Applications are due Wednesday, April 1. The scholarship is worth $1,500 and is available for the 2026-2027 academic year, effective Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. The scholarship must be used for tuition, health fee, books and other classroom-related expenses for the year, including summer session. To apply, applicants must meet the following selection criteria: Students who are 25 years old or older Students who are an undergraduate or graduate student at Ball State University or Ivy Tech Community College –An undergraduate…

By Jo Cox, Yorktown Community Schools— YORKTOWN, IN – Yorktown High School has been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement®, AP® School Honor Roll, earning Gold recognition from the College Board. This distinction marks a significant milestone for the school, reflecting a three-year progression of continuous improvement—from Bronze recognition in the program’s first year, to Silver, and now Gold. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that expand access to rigorous, college-level coursework while supporting strong student outcomes and a college-going culture. For the Class of 2025, Yorktown High School met or exceeded all College Board benchmarks required for Gold…

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN — The Notable Women of Muncie and Delaware County Project will host “Women of Whitely: At the Heart of Muncie’s Black History” at the Shaffer Chapel Museum, 1501 E. Highland Ave., in Muncie at 6 p.m. Feb. 26. This free public program celebrates the leadership, resilience, and creativity of Black women who shaped Muncie’s historic Whitely neighborhood. The event is part of Bracken Library’s 50th anniversary celebration and Muncie Public Library’s America 250 initiative and will bring together local historians and cultural institutions to honor the lasting impact of these women on the community. The Notable Women…