Ryan Family Scholars, Navigators Program Making Quick, Lasting Impression

When Michelle (Asby), ’81, and Jim Ryan made a $1.45 million commitment to establish the Ryan Family Scholars and Navigators Program, they weren’t just dropping off a check—they were creating a legacy.

The Ryans had a clear goal: to assist students from diverse and economically challenged backgrounds by providing them with financial assistance and comprehensive student support services.

The Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship is covering all costs for approximately 16 Ryan Scholars during a seven-year period. The first cohort of six Ryan Scholars successfully completed Year 1 of the program this past Spring.

Just as important to Dr. John Anderson, MA ’16 EdD ’21, however, are the services offered through the new Ryan Family Navigator Program. This amenity serves as a hub for student support and provides comprehensive student services to all teaching majors, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college and/or have financially challenging backgrounds.

Dr. Anderson, the program’s director, said the goal is to provide these new services to as many as 300 Education majors at Ball State within three years.