Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Ball State University have empowered a passionate group of professionals to serve on the Community Engagement Council (CEC), which champions MCS through advocacy, fundraising, and volunteer initiatives.
Mission Statement
In support of Muncie Community Schools’ Strategic Plan, the Community Engagement Council provides support to the initiatives of the district and serves as a liaison to the community.
Keep up with the council’s efforts on the CEC Facebook page or read below to learn about each of the council's primary initiatives as outlined in the CEC bylaws.
Advocating for MCS is a core priority for each Community Engagement Council member! Our advocacy subcommittee is currently ensuring that council members are equipped and trained to share accurate information about the district through monthly spotlight updates directly from MCS. We are also developing ongoing social media and communication training, and social media policies and procedures. This committee also coordinates district-wide teacher appreciation events once a semester.
Each CEC member is committed to advocating for MCS on a broader scale in their spheres of influence in Muncie. Initiatives that will provide direct support to MCS students and teachers are in development.
Raising funds to support the Muncie Community Schools is an ongoing initiative of the CEC. We hold an annual golf outing in September, and our fundraising subcommittee is pursuing the creation of a custom MCS coffee blend, so everyone can enjoy their morning coffee and support MCS at the same time. Additional fundraising events and initiatives are also in discussion.
CEC council members are committed to volunteering in MCS schools and promoting volunteer opportunities to the Muncie community. You can register to volunteer by visiting the volunteer opportunities page. MCS uses the GivePulse volunteer management system. Please reach out to a council member or your school of choice for additional volunteer opportunities and needs.
Meet the Council
Jeff Helm, Council Chair
Chief Information Officer of the Youth Opportunity Center | Board Member and past Chair of Hillcroft Service’s Board of Directors
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Jeff and his wife, Tammy, are the parents of Micayla, a Ball State senior studying Special Education, and Jared, a student in the HVAC program at Ivy Tech. Tammy is a developmental therapist with First Steps.
Bria Zolman, Council Vice Chair
TeenWorks@BSU & Guardian Scholars Program Coordinator, Ball State University | Board Member, Muncie Fellows
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A Hoosier native, and Muncie transplant, Bria has two children in Muncie Community Schools attending East Washington Academy and Northside Middle School. Bria finds purpose in loving God and her family, friends and neighbors well. She views her work on the CEC as an extension of that purpose.
Jason Donati
Stormwater and Recycling Educator for the Muncie Sanitary District | Board Member of the Cardinal Greenway, the Muncie Land Bank, the Delaware County Emergency Management Advisory Council, the Muncie Action Plan, and the East Central Neighborhood Association
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Jason and his wife, Sasha, have four children, two of whom are currently enrolled at Muncie Central and two in the Dual Language Immersion Program at West View Elementary. Jason was formerly elected to the MCS Board of Trustees in 2016 and has served on the MCS Community Engagement Council since 2019.
Ana Marie Pichardo
Qualified Individual Disabilities Professional, Phoenix Community Services | Board Member, YMCA | DIG (Diversity Inclusion Global) Committee Chairperson
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Ana is a former MCS employee with 25 years of teaching experience in Visual Arts Education. She also spent eight years serving as the MCS Communications Director. Ana is a lifelong learner who believes that keeping a spirit of adventure and discovery is important. She currently has five grandchildren attending Muncie Schools.
Delaina Boyd
Associate Vice President for Community Engagement, Ball State University
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Delaina has been part of the Muncie community for more than 30 years and was one of the original members of the Community Engagement Council. She considers it a pleasure to work alongside others in the Council and enjoys finding ways to engage the resources of the Office of Community Engagement at Ball State in support of Muncie Community Schools.
Michael Hewitt
Pastor, Rising Hope Church
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Michael and his wife, Kim, moved to Muncie in 2017 to start Rising Hope Church. Pastor Mike is the proud father of six kids and is a dedicated MCS advocate. Pastor Mike has been serving in ministry for more than 25+ years and loves exploring the outdoors and trying new things!
Molly McGuire
Vocational Rehabilitation Area Supervisor | Area 11 - Indiana Family & Social Services Administration
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Molly is a state employee, supervisor, VR brand influencer/networker, social services/community navigator, advocate, counselor, problem solver, and coffee imbiber. She is also currently serving as a Parent Representative on the Indiana Department of Education Advisory Council for Children with Disabilities.
Dr. Dominyse Carey DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Nursing Faculty at Ivy Tech Community College Muncie | Nurse Practitioner at IU Health | Board member of American Red Cross (Central Indiana Region) and Ball State University Nursing Alumni | Muncie Juneteenth Committee Member
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Dominyse is a Muncie native who graduated from the Indiana Academy and has two degrees from Ball State University. She has two children and wants to make Muncie a better community for current and future residents.
Phil Boltz, Ph.D.
Director of Accountability, Reporting and Data, Muncie Community Schools | Vice President, Muncie Public Library Board of Trustees | Board Member, Muncie Children’s Museum Board of Trustees and Muncie Afghan refugee Resettlement Committee
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Dr. Boltz is a public education, equity, and community development advocate. He lives with his spouse and three children, who attend East Washington Academy. In his free time, Phil rehabilitates old woodworking power tools and tries to not cut himself.
Katie Washburn
PharmD CACP | Clinical/Staff Pharmacist at IUH Ball Memorial Hospital
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Katie has two children in Muncie Community Schools, both currently at Northside Middle School. Her husband, Mark, is a genealogist who is the owner of Mark on History. In Katie’s free time she enjoys running and reading. She loves Muncie Community Schools and is proud to serve on the Community Engagement Council.
Non-voting representatives at council meetings include: Muncie Community Schools Director of Public Education/CEO, Chief Communications Officer, Community Volunteer Program Manager and a representative of the MCS School Board.