Student Success Initiatives

Graduate School Student Success Initiatives

Whether you're an online graduate student, on-campus graduate student, or faculty member looking for resources to support current and future graduate students, the Graduate School's student success programs have something for you.

Students sitting at desk looking at project

pathways mentoring program alumni meeting with student

Opportunities FOR Graduate Students
Resources for Graduate Students

Opportunities FOR Graduate Students

Graduate Opportunity and Leadership Development (GOLD) program

Graduate Opportunity & Leadership Development Program

The Graduate Opportunity and Leadership Development (GOLD) Program is a holistic, non-credit, optional, and zero-cost professional development program facilitated via online and in-person workshops and events led by faculty, staff, students, and community members in the six competency areas of career success, communication, mentoring, research, teaching, and wellness.

Students who participate in GOLD will receive the following:

Access to the GOLD Canvas Community
A Certificate of Completion given at the Annual Graduate Student Recognition Ceremony in April
A Shareable Digital Badge, which can be used on LinkedIn
Earn a free access code to the Clifton Strengths assessment

Pathways Mentoring Program

The Pathways Mentoring Program supports undergraduate and graduate students as they pursue graduate education and beyond. By meeting with a mentor on a consistent basis, interacting with other Pathways mentees, and participating in Pathways and University-sponsored events, students gain knowledge and establish critical networks to support their graduate education and career goals. Ultimately, Pathways aims to provide opportunities for students to build crucial relationships and skills necessary to pursue graduate education and beyond. Any Ball State student is eligible to sign up for the program and become a mentee.

Pathways Mentoring Program Objectives:

To establish positive and supportive relationships between mentors and mentees
To support students working toward graduate degree completion
To support students’ professional development through academic and career skill-building
To motivate students to pursue graduate education and the professoriate
To demystify and assist students with the graduate school application process
To increase the skill level of faculty and professionals at Ball State to mentor

Benefits:

One-on-one mentoring monthly with a faculty, staff, or alumni mentor
Career and academic support
Support to apply to graduate programs
Professional development opportunities through the GOLD program
Sense of community and connection
Access to $250 in small grant funding for regularly meeting with your mentor and participating in GOLD professional development workshops

Pathways Undergraduate Research Fellowships

The Pathways Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Ball State University is designed to provide undergraduate Pathways Mentoring Program students with research and scholarly experiences through the support of a faculty mentor who will help them to gain additional skills and accomplishments to enhance their applications for post-baccalaureate graduate and professional programs.

Fellowship appointments are for one semester for approximately 5 hours per week (with a wage of $10 per hour). Student fellows will receive pay for up to 75 hours of work for each involved semester ($750/semester) working an average of 5 hours per week during the academic year (15-week semesters).

Learn more here!

Graduate Student Wellness Initiative

The Graduate Student Wellness Initiative (GSWI) seeks to create a culture of health and wellness for all Ball State graduate students, both online and on-campus. The GSWI offers a series of events, workshops, and online programming for graduate students in connection with GOLD.

Write On! Writing Retreat for Graduate Students

Hosted by The Writing Center and the Graduate School, this daylong writing retreat is designed to help graduate students start their semester writing projects on the right foot. The retreat is designed for both new and returning graduate students and will feature speakers and panels on impostor syndrome, goal setting, time management, finding your unique voice and niche as a researcher, and more! The retreat also features structured writing sessions where you can write independently on projects while having the accountability and motivation of working alongside others.

The retreat will be held Friday, September 12, 2025, 9 am-3 pm in the Student Center. Light breakfast and full lunch will be provided, and attendees will receive a free t-shirt and tote bag. Attendees can choose between attending panels or participating in structured writing time. The event is free, and while we encourage you to make time to devote the entire day to your writing, attendees are welcome to come and go.

Mental Wellness Matters Program

Mental Wellness Matters is a 5-week online community run through Canvas and is designed to help graduate students integrate mental health techniques and practices into their day-to-day lives in an attempt to reduce the impact stressors have on mental health. Students who complete the participation requirements receive a completion certificate from the Graduate School via mail along with a Mental Wellness Matters computer decal and a Ball State Graduate School pen. Online students are welcome, too!

Graduate Student Appreciation Week

Ball State celebrates National Graduate Student Appreciation Week (started in 1993 by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students).

In past events, faculty and staff were asked to record appreciation videos to their graduate students which are featured on the Graduate School Instagram.

Three Minute Thesis Competition 3MT

Prepare for the 2026 Competition

An 80,000-word thesis could take hours to present. Their time limit... 3 minutes!

In the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, graduate students convey the essence and importance of their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation research in an engaging way to a non-specialist audience in just three minutes using one static PowerPoint slide.

This research communication competition originally developed by The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008. Over time the contest has exploded in popularity, and 3MT contests now occur worldwide at over 900 universities across more than 85 countries.

3MT is not an exercise in trivializing or ‘dumbing-down’ research but challenges students to consolidate their ideas and research discoveries so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience. The challenge for participants is to take all the months spent on research and writing their thesis or dissertation and distill it down to a three-minute summary!

The first-place winner of the competition will receive $1,000. The second-place winner will receive $700. The third-place and People's Choice winners will each receive $500. The first-place winner will also represent Ball State at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Conference in Kansas City, MO on March 27, 2026 with all expense paid!

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2026 PRELIMINARY ROUNDS

Competition Details

Eligibility and Requirements

A student must be enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral Program; the student must be actively enrolled in their program at Ball State at some point in the 2025-2026 academic year.
The student’s program of study must contain an original research project. This can be at any point in the course of study and can be attached to a required class or a capstone or independent project.
The degree program need not formally require a thesis or dissertation; however, the presentation topic must cover an original research project.
Minimally, some preliminary data must be collected on the topic.

Judging Criteria

Comprehension and Content: Rating 10-1 (strong-weak)
- How well was the research motivated (i.e. background and significance)?
- How well was the research design explained (i.e. methods or approach)?
- How well were results, conclusions, or outcomes described?
Engagement and Communication: Rating 10-1 (strong-weak)
- How well did the presenter capture and hold your attention?
- How well did the presenter make their work comprehensible (i.e. avoided jargon)?
- How well did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation?

Rules

A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted.
No slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed. The slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps, or songs).
Presentations are to commence from the stage.
Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Helpful Tips

A special thanks to Ms. Mary Moore, Senior Lecturer of Communication Studies, for developing the helpful video recordings below.

Watch the 2023-2024 Information Session

Previous Winners

See our past winners at Events & Recognition.

Resources for Graduate Students

All graduate students are welcome to take advantage of the resources and services the Graduate School and Ball State provide. General benefits for Ball State graduate students include:

access to services provided by Ball State Financial, a division of Financial Center First Credit Union
free tickets to regularly scheduled athletic events
free or discounted tickets to performances at Emens Auditorium, University Theatre, and more

See all the additional resources you have access to as a Ball State graduate student below.

Academics & ResearchResources for research projects, grants, and life post-graduation

Below are resources to help you with your academics and research here at Ball State.

The Career Center

All Ball State students can reach out to the Career Center for assistance with resume and interview preparation, making professional connections, and professional career-seeking. See what the Career Center offers.

Grants for Graduate Students

There are a number of research and travel grants at Ball State meant just for graduate students. Learn more about funding research at Ball State.

Research Resources & Support

The Graduate School works with other Ball State units to provide opportunities to grow your research skills and secure funding. See all the ways we support your research.

University Libraries

The University Libraries provides extensive resources for graduate students, including a comprehensive thesis research workshop that they run regularly throughout the year. Their “ask a librarian” function is an online and easy way to get started finding the resources you need for your research. See all the ways University Libraries can help you.

The Writing Center

During the first week of every semester, the Writing Center holds a Graduate School-sponsored, one-day writing boot camp called “A Write Start" to assist graduate students with large writing or research projects. The center also offers general writing help and Friday community writing sessions. Learn more about the Writing Center.

Community & WellnessResources to help you feel at-home at Ball State

Below are resources to help you feel welcome and to help you keep your mental health in check at Ball State.

Graduate Student Commons

The Graduate Student Commons, located in West Quad 208, is a space for all graduate students to study, hold meetings, relax, and connect with the Pathways Project and Graduate Student Wellness Initiative (GSWI) graduate assistants. The Commons includes a meeting space, sitting area, presentation screen, work stations with computers, and resource table with information about campus services.

Basic Needs Hub

The Basic Needs Hub is a virtual center for on and off-campus resources available to students experiencing basic needs insecurity. Explore all the resources available through the online hub on your own and in a way that best meets your needs. You can reach out to a supportive staff member who will honor your privacy while offering assistance. The hub includes resources information on food security, housing support, and financial and wellness resources. Visit the Basic Needs Hub.

Health Insurance Navigator

While Ball State is not able to provide health insurance to our graduate assistants at this time, our Human Resources department is making available a health insurance navigator to help graduate students find health insurance through the Affordable Care Act or other government and private programs. See how we can help you secure insurance.

The Health Center

The Health Center provides ambulatory care for currently enrolled sick or injured students, and includes a pharmacy and Women’s Center, as well as a physical therapy unit. To learn more about the types of services and how to take advantage of them, visit the Health Center website.

The Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides critical mental health services for students including resources devoted to individually paced self-help programs. See how the Counseling Center can help you.

Cardinal Closet

The Cardinal Closet is run by Student Action Team (SAT) and provides free semi-professional and professional attire for Ball State students as long as you have your BSU ID. The closet is ran by individual appointment or open hours. Learn more about the Cardinal Closet.

Multicultural Center

The Multicultural Center at Ball State University is a welcoming space that celebrates different cultures and brings students together. Through events, programs, and support services, we help students learn from one another and build meaningful connections. Our center is a place where everyone can feel supported, respected, and part of a strong community. Learn more about the Multicultural Center.

Open Door Health Services

Open Door Health Services is a local, low-cost health services provider for individuals living in and close to Muncie, Indiana. Services include medical, dental, behavioral health, family planning, and WIC. They also have insurance navigators to assist patients accessing the Health Insurance Marketplace. Learn more about Open Door.

Recreation Services

Recreation Services provides comprehensive recreation programming and facilities for all members of the Ball State community. Offerings include competitive intramural sports, drop-in-and-play use of recreation facilities, fitness and wellness activities, instructional programs, group exercise classes, and much more. See all the offerings from Recreation Services.

Employment & AssistantshipsResources for GAs, TAs, and graduate student instructors

Below are resources for graduate assistants and teaching assistants at Ball State.

Graduate Assistantships

All information regarding graduate assistantships can be found on the Graduate School website. Learn about graduate assistantships.

Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Graduate Student Instructors

The Graduate School hosts an online community via Canvas where graduate students share confidential resources and discussions relating to TA work and student instructors of record. Register to join the Canvas community.

Additionally, our TA workshop video explores the expectations and responsibilities of TA and instructor work at Ball State. Watch the workshop.

Newsletter for Students and Staff

The Graduate School publishes an email newsletter each semester with updates and important information for our students and faculty. Read our past newsletters below.

Have Questions?

We're here to help. Reach out to the Graduate Student Wellness Initiative team by email with your questions or concerns.

Email Us

Graduate School Events

The Graduate School

West Quad, Room 203
Muncie, IN, 47306
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8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Summer hours: 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

765-285-1301

765-285-1994