Our Mission
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.
Muncie Community Schools (MCS) and Ball State University have empowered a passionate group of professionals to serve on the Community Engagement Council (CEC). The purpose of the council is to support the Muncie Community Schools by identifying, in partnership with administration and community, initiatives in or to be added to the Strategic Plan that the Council can contribute to. The Council also serves to amplify the voice of the district to the community and the community to the district.
Advocating for MCS is a core priority for each Community Engagement Council member! Our council receives monthly updates from MCS administrators on the current needs, student trends, district initiatives and any emergent obstacles facing the district. We consult the strategic plan and seek input from community voices to identify ways we can positively impact the learning happening within Muncie Community Schools and the wellbeing of the families who trust MCS to educate their children.
Fundraising- We actively fundraise in support of MCS initiatives. Be on the lookout for our annual Golf Outing and other opportunities to help us support MCS through in-kind and monetary giving.
We welcome community input! Contact the council at CEC@muncieschools.org or through individual councilmembers email if you have supportive ideas to share or suggestions on community partnerships.
In 2022 the council launched a Student Assistance Request Form with the intent to develop a more robust rapid-grant program in coming years. These requests should be for non-recurring funding or in-kind donation of any physical items that the lack thereof imposes barriers to a student's success in school. The Student Assistance Request Form can be submitted by any MCS employee and can be accessed here.
This initiative supports the Strategic Plan, Pillars II and V (5.3)
CEC council members are committed to promoting the wellbeing of MCS schools, teachers and students. When public schools do well, so also does the broader community! There are many ways we support district wellbeing including:
Teacher Wellness & Appreciation- you will often find us partnering with MCS in funding and administrating district activities and events that promote teacher appreciation and support.
Volunteerism- Our schools rely on parents and community members to provide volunteer support in the schools. 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.
Student Assistance Requests- see above
Meet the Council
Bria Zolman, Council Chair
TeenWorks@BSU & Guardian Scholars Program Manager, Ball State University
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A hoosier native and longtime Muncie resident, Bria has two children in Muncie Community Schools attending Northside Middle School and Muncie Central High School. Bria is passionate about removing barriers to access and improving the quality of public education for vulnerable and under-served student groups.
Molly McGuire, Council Vice Chair
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.
Phil Boltz, Ph.D., Council Secretary
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 and Northside Middle School. In his free time, Phil rehabilitates old woodworking power tools and tries to not cut himself.
Courtney Bishop
Business and Operations Manager, Inland Interior Design | Board Member, Ross Community Center | Secretary, Minnetrista Central Neighborhood Association
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Courtney attended Ball State University, and during her time as a student, fell in love with Muncie and the people here. She is passionate about this place and the organizations and resources that help create more equitable systems in Muncie. Courtney and her husband live in the Minnetrista Central neighborhood, where they enjoy walking downtown, utilizing the greenways, and shopping at the farmers market.
Jenna Clemens
Accounting Analyst, Reliant Mission
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A former middle school math teacher, I've always had a heart for students and teachers. I've lived in Muncie for over twelve years, spent most of those time working with BSU students on campus and tutoring local high school students in Math and Spanish on the side. I have two kids in MCS schools and am excited to help be a bridge between our schools and community.
Eldred "Cookie" Coleman-Jones
Academic Advisor, Ball State University
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Eldred Coleman-Jones (Cookie) is the Academic Advisor for the CCIM Department in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication. In her role, Eldred oversees the Journalism, Strategic Communications, Applied Cybersecurity, and Computer Information Technology majors. She works closely with students providing guidance and support as they navigate their college journey. Eldred is a 1993 graduate of Ball State University, 2023 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, and is excited to return to Ball State campus serving in this capacity. Cookie is the mother of 9 amazing children and grandmother of two. She serves on Board of Directors for Project Leadership and the Cradle 2 Career Muncie Leadership Team in the Family and Community Engagement CAN.
Nicole Driscoll
Correctional Captain, New Castle, IN
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Captain Nicole Driscoll has proudly served with the Indiana Department of Correction for over 20 years, currently holding the rank of Captain. A dedicated public servant, Nicole is known for her leadership, integrity, and commitment to making a positive impact both inside and outside the correctional system.
Nicole lives in Muncie with her wife, Maricel, and their two children, who have just begun their journey in the Muncie Community School system. Deeply rooted in community values, Nicole is passionate about giving back. She actively participates in local programs and has also served as a volunteer firefighter—demonstrating her dedication to the safety and well-being of others in every aspect of her life. In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, cherishing the moments that bring connection, laughter, and balance to her busy life.
Jeff Helm
Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Opportunity Center | Board Member and Chair of Ross Center
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Jeff and his wife, Tammy, are the parents of Micayla, a Ball State graduate of Special Education, and Jared, a graduate of the HVAC program at Ivy Tech. Tammy is a developmental therapist with First Steps.
Liz Showalter
IT Community Partner Data Coordinator | Muncie Community Schools
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Liz Showalter is the Community Partner Data Coordnatior for Muncie Community Schools. She also has one son who attends Muncie Central High School. Liz has had many roles serving youth in her career and is passionate about giving back to the community. Liz is also involved in NAMI Delaware County. Liz also works as a yoga instructor at The Corner Mat and a Coach at F45. When she is not working, she likes to spend time with her family and take her dog for walks to have doggy playdates with the neighborhood dogs!
Isaiah York
Program Manager | TeenWorks
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Isaiah is a proud Muncie Central graduate, class of 2016, and current Muncie Teen Works Program Manager. His true passion is working with youth whether that includes being a mentor, leading programs, or just being a positive presence. He is committed to the city of Muncie by growing and supporting the next generation of leaders in our community.
Appointed Representatives
Kelli Huth
Associate Vice President for Community Engagement, Ball State University
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Kelli was born and raised in East Central Indiana and her children attended Muncie Community Schools for several years. Kelli is passionate about community engagement and is dedicated to enhancing our local school district through university and community partnerships.
Michelle Kinsey
Communications Manager for Office of Community Engagement, Ball State University
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Michelle Kinsey is the Communications Manager – or as she likes to call it, the storyteller - for the Office of Community Engagement at Ball State. She's a longtime cheerleader (figuratively, of course) for Muncie Community Schools. Her son attended - and loved - MCS and she covered the school system for five of the 20 years she worked as a reporter and editor at the Star Press.
Andy Klotz
Chief Communications Officer, Muncie Community Schools
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Alison Quirk
9th Grade On Track/Volunteer Coordinator, Muncie Community Schools
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Dr. Chuck Reynolds
Director of Public Education/CEO, Muncie Community Schools
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Non-voting representatives at council meetings include: BSU AVP for Community Engagement, Muncie Community Schools Director of Public Education/CEO, Chief Communications Officer, Community Volunteer Program Manager and a representative of the MCS School Board.
If you have interest in joining the Community Engagement Council, please complete this online interest form.