Spring 2017 Ball State Immersive Learning Projects

Ball State faculty, students, and community partners are working together this spring on a number of immersive learning projects in and around Muncie.

Abandoned Housing Policy Analysis
Community Partner:  Muncie Redevelopment Commission
Faculty Mentor: Chip Taylor, Department of Political Science

Advancing ecoREHAB Through Story and Strategy
Community Partner:  ecoREHAB of Muncie, Inc.
Faculty Mentors:  Kate Elliott, Department of Journalism; Paul Gestwicki; Department of Computer Science

Assessing Heat Leaks in the 8twelve Target District
Community Partner:  Muncie 8twelve Coalition
Faculty Mentor:  Jason Yang, Department of Geography

Engaging the Next Generation of Leaders:  Character and Leadership Development at the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie
Community Partner:  The Boys & Girls Club of Muncie
Faculty Mentor:  Peggy Fisher, Department of Communication Studies

Maring-Hunt Community Garden Pavilion
Community Partner:  Maring-Hunt Library, Thomas Park/Avondale Neighborhood Association
Faculty Mentor:  Pam Harwood, Department of Architecture

Minnetrista Neighborhood Action Plan
Community Partner:  Minnetrista Neighborhood Association
Faculty Mentor:  Lisa Dunaway, Department of Urban Planning

Rehabilitating Houses
Community Partner: Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity
Faculty Mentor: Janet Fick, Technology

Story Maps
from and for “South-of-the-River” Neighborhoods in Muncie
Community Partners:  Forest Park Neighborhood Association; Thomas/Avondale Neighborhood Association
Faculty Mentor:  Jörn Seemann, Department of Geography

Sustainable Food Production: Integrating Collaboration within the Community
Community Partner:  Muncie Food Hub
Faculty Mentor:  Gerry Waite, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies

Let’s Build!

This immersive learning project was a partnership between the Ball State construction management program and the Ross Center, located on the south side of Muncie. Let’s Build is part of the elementary outreach initiative developed by the Ball State construction management program in 2015. The construction industry is facing a severe workforce shortage. The goal of the program is to introduce students to the construction industry at a young age. The project team worked with elementary school students on a weekly basis at the Ross Center. Through hands-on activities, the students learned about construction, careers in construction, and construction safety. The students also assisted the project team with building an outdoor bench for the Ross Center.


Fall 2018

Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Warrner
Department: Construction Management and Interior Design
Community Partner: Longfellow Elementary School
Students:Aaron Albright, Kathy Berryhill, Hayden Castor, Aaron Davis, Michale Delong, Grant Denney, Reid Dettmer, David Dickey, Jordan Harrison, Nathan Heine, Susan Lamermayer, Austin McNally, Danny Nestorovski, Nate Netzhammer, Grant Small, Jacob Swales, Isaiah Swanigan, Zack Taylor, Jacob Wendrickx, Morgan Wiley


Fall 2016

Faculty Mentor: Jennifer Warrner
Department: Technology
Community Partner: Ross Center
Students: Joel Bolen, Chase Clark, Anthony Cook, Nate Cox, Kendal Franz, Mark Fritz, Sarah Galloway, Jake Leonard, Cody Smith, Brad Wells, Robert Yaggi

Proposals Are Now Being Accepted for the 2nd Annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference – March 4, 2017

UPDATE: We’re booked! Proposals are no longer being accepted for this year’s conference.

On March 5, 2016, 130 Muncie residents attended the first Neighborhood I.D.E.A. Conference.

The Muncie Action Plan, Shafer Leadership Academy and Building Better Neighborhoods are partnering once again to support the development of neighborhood leaders.

The second annual Neighborhood I.D.E.A. Conference is scheduled for March 4, 2017 on Ball State’s campus. Over 100 of Muncie’s most active local leaders will gather to listen, learn and meet like-minded individuals to share ideas and best practices.

Learn more about this year’s conference in this excellent article over at the MuncieJournal!

The theme of the conference is Intentional Development and Education for Association Members. Sessions will fall within four distinct tracks:

  1. Beautification and Infrastructure
  2. Partnering with Local Officials
  3. Teamwork and Collaboration
  4. Association Development

Do you have an idea you would like to share at the conference or a topic you want to see discussed? We are currently taking submissions. The Call for Proposals can be found here.

For those individuals and organizations who are interested in presenting at this conference, please submit proposals by January 9th. Questions may be directed to Krista Flynn, BSU Office of Community Engagement at kflynn@bsu.edu.