Just a month ago, Ball State suspended on-campus classes and related operations for one day because of heavy snowfall, icy road conditions, and frigid temperatures in the aftermath of the snowstorm over the weekend of January 24. Our Landscape Services colleagues within Facilities Planning and Management began working as soon as conditions allowed to make our campus walkways and parking lots as accessible and safe as possible.
Their work was outstanding—and we know it was not easy. During the storm, our campus received 10.5 inches of snow—the largest single-storm accumulation since 2021, according to the College of Sciences and Humanities’ School of Earth, Atmosphere, and Sustainability.
We resumed normal operations by Tuesday, January 27, as we continued addressing the remaining challenges posed by the heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures.
I am grateful to our Landscape Services staff and to our entire Facilities Planning and Management team for all they do to keep our beautiful campus accessible and safe—even when the snow piles up and the temperature plummets. They care for our campus exceptionally well year-round.
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Geoffrey S. Mearns
President
Ball State University
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2025 IRS Form 1095-C Shows Health Insurance Coverage; Form Available Online
The IRS requires Ball State University, as an employer, to report whether employees and their dependents (if applicable) had health coverage in 2025. Therefore, employees receive Form 1095-C, which details whether they were offered health coverage and the months during which it was offered. Forms will be available online in the Workday system around the end of February 2026. Printed 1095-C forms are ONLY available upon request.
To access the form, follow the steps below:
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- Log in to Workday
- In Workday:
- Select Menu – Benefits and Pay
- Select My Tax Documents.
- Select View next to the 1095-C document.
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Contact the HR Solution Center at 285-1834 or email peopleandculture@bsu.edu with questions or to request a printed form.
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Division for People and Culture |
Phase 2 Rollout of Workday Brings Changes
The Division for People and Culture began rolling out Phase 2 of Workday in January 2026, introducing enhancements to learning, onboarding, support, and timekeeping. See what’s been launched and what’s still to come below.
January 2026 – Learning & Development
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Expanded learning tools have been launched, offering centralized access to training in Workday and replacing Minicourse for session registration. Information sessions were offered.
- Learning Home - Workday
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February 2026 – Onboarding Expansion
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- Cardinals Take Flight has been launched as a year-long onboarding experience, providing new hires with resources, learning opportunities, and support through key milestones.
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February 2026 – Workday Help
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- Updated timekeeping functionality is scheduled to launch in Workday, replacing UKG—more details to come.
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Workforce Ready Grant: Partnering to Empower Students Pursuing Bachelor’s Degrees
Lifetime Learning offers an important opportunity for students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree but are eager to advance their careers through professional certification. The Workforce Ready Grant provides full tuition support for short-term, high-value certifications in eligible, in-demand fields.
Qualified programs include certifications in business (CAPM for project management), healthcare, and technology. These programs are designed to help learners quickly gain the skills employers need most—opening doors to new fulfilling career paths and higher earning potential.
Lifetime Learning is seeking to partner with faculty and staff across campus to identify students who could benefit from this grant to complete a credential that supports career readiness.
Faculty connections are vital in helping us reach students who are motivated to grow but may need guidance to take the next step.
Explore eligible programs and learn more about the Workforce Ready Grant online.
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United Way Employee Campaign 2025 Results |
Ball State Employees Raise Money for Heart of Indiana United Way in University’s 2025 Employee Campaign
Throughout the 10-week 2025 United Way Employee Campaign at Ball State University, Sept. 15–Nov. 21, employees and retirees donated more than $125,700 to support the efforts of Heart of Indiana United Way.
Ball Brothers Foundation has once again generously awarded matching dollars for funds raised through employee campaigns across Delaware County. Thanks to a large number of early, undesignated donations, Ball State was awarded $40,758 of this funding for the 2025 cycle, bringing our total contribution to Heart of Indiana United Way to approximately $166,000. More than 800 active employees chose to donate this year, holding our participation rate steady at 25 percent.
Funds raised through Ball State’s employee campaign will help continue programs across East Central Indiana that support the community in meeting urgent needs, ensure that children are reading at grade level, and give individuals the tools to build stronger financial futures. Read more online.
The 2025 campaign marked 100 years of impact for Heart of Indiana United Way, and the Ball State community’s generous participation has helped set the foundation on which to build the next generation of change.
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Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs |
Rinker Center for Global Affairs Announces Winter Clothing Distribution
For many Ball State students, especially some international students, this semester has included a significant milestone: their first Indiana Winter. To help students navigate the cold weather, the Rinker Center for Global Affairs hosted a successful winter coat distribution event on Nov. 11—and still has coats available for students who need one.
Through a generous partnership with Riverside Avenue Baptist Church and the student ministry group Charis, 41 winter coats were distributed to international students. Additionally, Chris Poland at Ball State Financial generously donated hats and gloves.
International Student Success Advisor Jonathan Hooker organizes these vital donation drives to foster a culture of care and hospitality on campus. The need for winter gear and household essentials is ongoing as new students arrive throughout the year.
Anyone who would like to donate gently used items—or students who need a coat, hats, or gloves—can contact the Rinker Center at intlstsuccess@bsu.edu.
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Division of Student Affairs |
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Exploring and Shopping: Inaugural Thrift Bus Tour Takes Students around Muncie
The Office of Housing and Residence Life, in partnership with the Office of Community Engagement, welcomed students on the inaugural Thrift Bus Tour around Muncie on Feb. 14. The bus trip included opportunities to shop at and explore thrift stores around the city. Students had 30 minutes to spend at each thrift store. Locations included Frankie D's Flea Market, Attic Window Thrift Store, The Daily Deal Thrift Store, ReNewed Designs, and Well Made Vintage.
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Division of Online and Strategic Learning |
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Series Offers Programs Supporting Instructors With Artificial Intelligence
The Empowering Pedagogy With AI: Cross-College Conversations, Tools, and Teaching series concludes with “Understanding Students’ Perspectives in the AI Era” from 2–3 p.m. on March 18, and “AI-Assisted Assessment and Feedback” from 11 a.m.–noon on April 14.
Faculty are invited to join colleagues at these events in Bracken Library, Room 104, to discuss best practices and develop guidelines to ensure the responsible and equitable use of artificial intelligence in teaching. Register online.
For more information on programs and resources available to instructors across all modalities, visit the Faculty Development Offerings webpage. The Teaching Innovation Team offers certificate courses, learning communities, and self-paced options, including “Make Your Canvas Course Accessible,” which supports effective teaching practices.
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IRDS Analysis Offers Insights on Whether Transfer Credits Help Students Graduate Faster
Does transferring more credits ultimately help students graduate faster? A recent analysis from Ball State’s Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support (IRDS), an extension of a Data Literacy Institute (DLI) project, tackled this question by examining 7,461 full-time undergraduates who graduated between Fall 2020 and Summer 2024. The findings may be surprising: factors such as financial need and first-term performance were more powerful influences on time-to-degree than the sheer number of credits transferred.
Using institutional data, the analysis looks at patterns related to enrollment behavior, course load decisions, and other academic indicators that can affect students’ paths to graduation. The findings offer valuable context for understanding how different experiences shape time-to-degree and where opportunities may exist to better support students along the way.
This research is especially relevant for faculty, advisors, and staff involved in academic planning, student support, and program development. Additionally, institutional research can inform conversations about student success and long-term outcomes at Ball State.
Learn more about the research in this IRDS blog post.
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Ball State University Foundation |
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Ball State University Foundation Announces 2026 ‘Top 100 Student Awards’ Recipients
On Feb. 16, the Ball State University Foundation revealed the recipients of the University’s annual “Top 100 Student Awards,” now in its fifth year of recognizing outstanding undergraduate student achievement. This awards program honors 100 exceptional junior and senior undergraduates who represent beneficence in three areas: academic excellence, campus leadership, and community impact. All Top 100 recipients and their families will be recognized at the Top 100 celebration on March 22. The full list of the University’s 2026 Top 100 Students is available on the Foundation’s website. Read more in this Ball State press release.
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Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning |
Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture Students Partner to Strengthen Campus and Town Ties
Ball State’s Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture students are partnering with Hanover College, through a Lilly Endowment-funded town–gown collaboration with the Town of Hanover, Ind., to strengthen connections between campus and town.
Across multiple courses, students are addressing housing, public space, and long-term community vitality through hands-on planning and design work. Landscape architecture students are developing concepts for an underutilized site between campus and downtown that integrates housing with a community garden and gathering space to support engagement and outdoor learning. Joe Blalock, associate professor of landscape architecture, is leading the students.
Also, urban planning students worked with Hanover’s town council on a redevelopment plan for that community’s town square—advancing strategies for walkability, economic activity, and a community garden—under the mentorship of professors Michael Burayidi and Catherine Reynolds.
Read more in this Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning blog post.
Upcoming 2026 ECAP Guest Lecturers
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Jorge Otero-Pailos
March 16 at 4 p.m.
Jorge Otero-Pailos is the director and professor of historic preservation at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. He specializes in experimental forms of preservation.
- Whitehead Guest Lecturer, Robert Adams
March 30 at 4 p.m.
Robert Adams is a principal landscape architect at Halvorson. He has more than 20 years of professional experience, including urban parks, plazas, and streetscapes; campus design; resilient waterfronts; large greenway master plans; and detailed garden design.
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Miller College of Business |
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Shaheen Borna, professor of marketing, was a coauthor on a manuscript accepted in the International Journal of Ethics and Systems. The study uses experiments to examine how egoism, altruism, and payment source influence employee decision-making in discretionary corporate spending. Read more online.
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Mehrdad Jalali Sepehr, assistant teaching professor of ISOM, coauthored an article in Critical Perspectives on International Business (Emerald Publishing, 2025) examining how Chinese multinational firms manage supply chain complexity in global markets. The study introduces a framework linking strategic market orientation and supply chain agility through digital transformation, innovation, and flexible sourcing. Read more online.
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Atul Singh and Ben Angelo, assistant professors in accounting, coauthored the article “Tone Distance: Managerial Tone Divergence and Market Reaction to Earnings Announcements,” which was accepted for publication in the Financial Review (2025). The study examines how differences in managerial tone during earnings calls affect market reactions, finding that greater tone divergence predicts higher stock volatility, information uncertainty, and operational risk. Read more online.
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Lu Wang, assistant professor of business analytics and ISOM, served as a coauthor on an article accepted for publication in the journal Bioinformatics. The article, “Predicting the Trend of SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Frequencies Using Historical Data,” develops a real-time forecasting model using U.S. mutation data, with applications beyond COVID-19 to other infectious diseases and forecasting contexts. Read more online.
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College of Communication, Information, and Media |
CCIM’s Department of Communication Studies to host annual ‘Big Talk’ event in March
The Department of Communication Studies’ annual “Big Talk” is scheduled for 6–8 p.m. on March 25 at Teachers College, Room 120. This event elevates the voices of Ball State’s best undergraduate public speakers as they discuss important topics through unforgettable presentations. This year, the topics include invisible disabilities, living within the adoption system, prioritizing self-care over social media, connecting through sport, and learning what forgiveness really means.
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Music Album Release and a Performance
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Scott Routenberg, associate professor of music performance (jazz piano), released his third trio album Jan. 16 on his own record label, Chroma Note Records. The album, “Scott Routenberg Trio Live at Merrimans’ Playhouse: Oscar Peterson Tribute, features fellow faculty members Michael Santos, instructor in the School of Music, on bass; and Cassius Goens III, instructor of jazz percussion (drum set), on drums. After two weeks on the JazzWeek national radio charts, it has already broken into the Top 100 and made the “Most Added” and “Increased Airplay” featured lists.
- Michael Seregow, associate teaching professor of music, recently returned from Costa Rica, where he took part in the 10th Encuentro de Pianistas Costa Rica—one of the largest gatherings of pianists in Central America. While there, he performed a solo piano recital and took part in a shared recital dedicated to the music of Manuel de Falla at Costa Rica's National Theatre, alongside pianists from around the world.
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Vital Health Screenings, Fitness Classes Offered by Healthy Lifestyle Center
The Healthy Lifestyle Center (HLC) offers vital health screenings and fitness classes throughout the Greater Muncie community. Among the many offerings are cardiorespiratory fitness with Zumba at the Harvest Christian Church, 1010 E Centennial Ave., at 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays; and Line Dancing at MadJax, 515 E. Main St., at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. To inquire about health screenings or learn more about HLC’s services, call 765-285-1293 or email hlc765@bsu.edu.
Symposium on Substance Use Disorders Slated for March 13
The seventh annual Delaware County Symposium on Substance Use Disorders is scheduled from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on March 13, at Ball State’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center. The symposium is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided to attendees. The theme for this year’s symposium is “Resilience, Creativity, and Thriving in Changing Times.” Register online. Questions can be emailed to Dr. Jonel Thaller, associate professor of social work, at jthaller@bsu.edu.
Learn More about COH’s Research Projects
The Synergy Series celebrating health research continues, from noon–1 p.m. on March 18, in the Health Professions Building, Room 205. The series highlights the work of the Social Work Department. This event is an opportunity to learn more about the College of Health’s research projects.
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College of Sciences and Humanities |
Research Highlights and Upcoming Academic Events
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Robert Denton of the Department of Biology is serving as principal investigator on a science-driven conservation project funded by an $876,730 award from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and the National Science Foundation, under Award No. (#2529192). Titled “Measuring the effects of outbreeding in Chiricahua Leopard Frogs to Shape Best Practices for Genetic Rescue,” the project brings together partners from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture to inform conservation strategies through applied genetic research.
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The Department of Women’s, Gender, and African American Studies (WGAS) invites the campus community to celebrate this year’s Women’s Week, March 23–27. The week will feature a keynote address by Dr. Aria Halliday of the University of Kentucky, titled “Where are Black Girls Safe?” at 2 p.m. on March 23 in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center’s ballroom. There will be additional events highlighting scholarship, advocacy, and community engagement.
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Students interested in legal careers are encouraged to attend the Law School Exploration Event hosted by the CSH Success Hub from 3:30–5 p.m. on March 19 in the North Quad Building, Room 160. Representatives from the IU McKinney School of Law and Ball State alumni will share insights into law school pathways and professional experiences. Learn more about the Law School Exploration Event and other College of Sciences and Humanities events online.
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History Professor Earns Prestigious Teaching Award
Sean Scott, associate teaching professor of history, has been named a Jack Miller Center (JMC) Teaching America250 Award recipient. Selected as one of 51 educators nationwide, one from each state and Washington, D.C., he received a $5,000 grant to create a course project tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Students will explore primary sources, such as Abraham Lincoln’s “Lyceum Address,” visit historic sites, and develop public oral history exhibits examining the Declaration of Independence’s influence on President Lincoln’s life. Learn more about JMC’s teaching award online.
Ball State Establishes STEM Education Center
Ball State University officially launched its new STEM Education Center during Ball State Day at the Statehouse, creating a hub to advance STEM teaching and learning across Indiana. Developed through collaboration between the College of Sciences and Humanities and Teachers College, the center will support youth programs, educator development, partnerships, and research while helping address the statewide shortage of STEM teachers. Read more in this Ball State press release.
Ball State Online Earns Six Top 25 Rankings in U.S. News’ 2026 ‘Best Online Programs’
Teachers College earned national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Online Programs,” with four Teachers College programs ranked in the top 25: No. 11 Master’s in Special Education, No. 13 Educational Administration and Supervision, No. 15 Curriculum and Educational Technology, and No. 25 Bachelor’s in Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis). The rankings highlight Ball State Online’s flexible design, strong advising, and commitment to accessible, high-quality learning.
Other Ball State colleges earned recognition in the top 25 portion and elsewhere in this ranking list, including: No. 8 Business analytics (MBA concentration), and No. 14 - Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Read more in this Ball State press release.
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- March 10 | 6–8 p.m. at Bracken Library, Room 104
Hidden History: Women’s Stories and the Built Environment at Ball State University
This program will explore the architecture of Ball State University, spanning from the first structure in the late 19th century to the Alexander M. Bracken Library in the 1970s. Also, the program will bring to light the stories of the seldom-known, history-making women who lived, worked, learned, and played within the walls of these iconic buildings. Those stories will be shared through original architectural drawings, maps, photographs, and other one-of-a-kind resources of the Ball State University Libraries. Refreshments will be served.
- April 28 | 6–8 p.m. at L.A. Pittenger Student Center’s Cardinal Halls
Annual Friends of the Alexander M. Bracken Library Dinner and Kirkham Lecture
This event will feature some of University Libraries’ many treasures, including mini-exhibits showcasing historical artifacts, current University Libraries projects, and more. Additionally, the Kirkham lecture will feature historian Andy Olsen discussing The Kilgore Pact Legend and the 1818 St. Mary’s Treaties. This event is also an opportunity to get to know the Libraries’ staff and students. There will be a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, and live music. Reserve a seat online.
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Fall 2025 Progress Reports Highlight Impact of Timely Feedback and Support
This Fall, Ball State’s midterm progress reporting and early feedback efforts demonstrated meaningful impact on student outcomes. Across more than 10,000 progress reports expressing academic concern, 75 percent of students either improved their grades or maintained their academic standing by the end of the term. These results reflect the importance of timely communication, coordinated outreach, and the shared commitment of faculty and staff to student success.
Even more encouraging, students who showed improvement experienced an average GPA increase of nearly half a letter grade (0.43 GPA points)—signaling substantive academic progress rather than incremental change. This momentum highlights how early feedback and supportive intervention help students recalibrate, re-engage, and finish the semester stronger.
Progress reports do more than flag challenges. They create opportunities for connection, reflection, and problem-solving, helping students better understand expectations, access resources, and make informed academic decisions.
The Spring midterm progress reporting period is underway. Faculty are encouraged to submit timely feedback. Advisors and staff are encouraged to continue proactive outreach. This can build on the momentum and ensure students receive the support they need to succeed—strengthening our culture of student support and academic excellence.
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