Accepting Nominations for 2026 Community Partner Award

2026 Nomination Criteria

We are currently accepting nominations for the 2026 Community Partner Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize an Indiana* business, organization, school, or agency that has demonstrated excellence in their contributions as a community partner with Ball State University during the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and/or Spring 2025 terms.

The award recipient will receive $500 and will be honored publicly at the Immersive Learning Showcase on April 13, 2026. The nomination form is available online. Nominations may be submitted by Ball State faculty, staff, or students only. The deadline for submission is Dec.12, 2025.

Nominees must have partnered with Ball State faculty, staff, and students between May 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025, as part of one of the following community-based learning experiences:

  • Service or immersive learning
  • Community-based research
  • Internship and/or practicum

* Priority consideration will be given to East Central Indiana counties, which include Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush, and Wayne.

Nomination Form

What you'll need to know to nominate your outstanding partner (400 word limit/question):

  • Describe the community-based learning experience (as defined in the award purpose statement) that the business, agency, school, or organization supported during Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and/or Spring 2025.
  • In what ways did the community partner organization serve as co-educators in the experience?
  • What did Ball State students gain from their experiences working with the community partner organization?
  • What did the community partner organization gain from working with Ball State faculty, staff, and/or students?
  • Is there anything else you would like to add that would help the selection committee make its decision? (Limit: 200 words)

Questions?

Please contact Kelli Huth, Vice President for Community Engagement at kelli.huth@bsu.edu.

*Priority consideration will be given to East Central Indiana counties which include Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Rush and Wayne. 

Previous Winners: