Office of Community Engagement

Cardinals Care Partner Pledge

Ball State University is grateful for our mutually beneficial relationships with community organizations and businesses that provide our students, faculty, and staff with volunteering and learning opportunities, as well as dining, retail, entertainment, leisure activities, and other services.

We are asking community organizations and businesses to take the Cardinals Care Partner Pledge as an indication of their commitment to maintain a healthy and safe environment for employees, customers, volunteers, and guests.

Meet Our Cardinals Care Partners

At Ball State, we define community engagement as the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity with our friends and neighbors in Muncie and East Central Indiana.

The Office of Community Engagement connects university resources with community priorities and initiatives, resulting in more engaged faculty and students; greater prosperity for local residents, businesses, and organizations; and improved quality of life for all.

About Us

Major Initiatives

Charlie Cardinal and a girl with Live United t-shirts

Strategic Partnerships

Ball State is proud to partner with many individuals, agencies, and organizations to tackle the greatest needs in our community.

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Neighborhood Development

Established in 2014 through a grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation, the Building Better Neighborhoods (BBN) Initiative connects Ball State’s resources with local neighborhood development efforts.

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Community-Engaged Research and Creative Endeavors

Community-engaged scholarship marries teaching, research, and creative endeavors with community-defined priorities for mutually beneficial outcomes.

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Recipient of the 2015 Carnegie Foundation Elective Community Engagement Classification

Member of Engagement Scholarship Consortium

Member of the Indiana Campus Compact

Get Involved

For Community Members

It is thanks to you that we can provide community-engaged teaching, research, and learning opportunities. Contact us to learn how Ball State resources can support your organization or initiative through volunteers, interns, immersive learning, neighborhood development, and more!

For Faculty

We are here to help you connect with the vibrancy of Muncie and East Central Indiana in meaningful ways, both personally and professionally. – volunteering, community partnerships, and exploring the vibrancy of Muncie and East Central Indiana.

For Students

Connect your classroom learning with real-world experiences that benefit you and the community.

Available Resources at Ball State

Ball State is proud to be an anchor institution in Muncie, Indiana. Home to about 70,000 people, we have plenty to do right here in town, both on and off campus.

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Our Community

With a population of about 70,000 people, Muncie is home to cultural and recreational amenities such as the Minnetrista, Cardinal Greenways, and Muncie Civic Theatre, plus many opportunities on campus. The city ranks as the most affordable place to live in the U.S., according to Realtor.com, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce has twice recognized Muncie as the Community of the Year.

Explore Muncie

Discover Local Career Opportunities

Muncie Named 2020 All-America City Award Winner

Our city's continued effort to enhance the community's health and well-being earned Muncie the 2020 All-America City Award. Learn more.