SOARing to Success
SOAR program Director Dr. Joel Whitesel (center) meets with MCOB students. SOAR provides students with immersive opportunities such as connecting with a mentor, community service, internships, and attending professional conferences, all steps that allow them to become well-rounded professionals ready for the next step in life.
Program transforms undergraduates, provides mentorships
Abby Miller entered Ball State University as a Business Administration major but was unsure of her choice.
That was until she took advantage of the Miller College of Business’s transformative program called SOAR (Success, Opportunity, Acumen, and Readiness).
“Because of SOAR, I’ve learned so much about myself, which was so helpful as an incoming student,” said Ms. Miller, who is now a junior. “Because of a speaker we had, I changed my major within the first two weeks of classes to Human Resources Management. There were so many things about Human Resources Management that lined up for me personally, and I don’t know if I would have had that interaction and lightbulb moment without SOAR.”
SOAR provides students with immersive opportunities such as connecting with a mentor, community service, internships, and attending professional conferences, all steps that allow them to become well-rounded professionals ready for the next step in life.
Offered as a required program to Miller College of Business (MCOB) undergraduates and overseen by an eight-member advisory board of business professionals, leaders, and mentors from Ball State and the Muncie community, SOAR consists of three one-semester courses intended to give students a competitive edge in the workforce. These courses—Introduction to Miller College and the World of Business, Job Search Skills, and Transition to the Professions—are taken during each of a student’s first three years of study.
Each year of this curriculum is designed to build on the previous year’s experiences, culminating in students developing a secure professional identity by their senior year. The program is consistently evaluated, ensuring alignment with industry needs.
SOAR connects students with campus life, encouraging them to join clubs and become involved within MCOB. The subsequent years shift the focus towards career exploration and professional development, preparing students for success in the job market. The program was initiated to boost student success and alumni engagement, emphasizing its role in offering valuable skills for students to become well-rounded professionals.
Dr. Joel Whitesel, ’89 MBA ’90, MCOB’s director of student retention and success, oversees the SOAR program and has seen a positive impact since its inception in Fall 2020.
“One of the hindrances we see in student retention is the sense of belonging,” Dr. Whitesel said. “SOAR addresses this with its efforts to increase student success and engagement. And we’re always looking for more real-world experiences and opportunities for students to learn.”
Throughout the program, students engage in various activities, including connecting with a mentor, participating in community service, securing internships, and attending professional conferences. These activities complement the skills learned in the classroom. The program also includes self- and career exploration activities, online assessments, guidance on time management, study skills, and topics on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As part of the Our Call to Beneficence campaign, the University aims to secure $2 million in funding to further enrich student programs like SOAR. Campaign funding will expand scholarship support through SOAR, ensuring that financial constraints do not restrict students from participating in the offerings provided in this transformative program. Funding will also enable the creation of additional opportunities and experiences through the SOAR program, such as student travel to visit alumni and business leaders on a broader national and international scope.
The involvement of Ball State graduate business mentors is another key aspect of SOAR—which received the inaugural Ball State University Foundation’s Mentoring Program of the Year Award in Fall 2023—providing students with valuable, life-changing immersive experiences.
“A distinguishing characteristic of a Miller College of Business education is that every student gets a mentor,” said Dr. Cathy DuBois, dean of MCOB. “This is not just any mentor. We match each student with a Miller College alum who is thriving in a job related to the student’s major. Through their interactions and conversations, a student not only develops professional skills but also gains insights into the career that awaits following graduation.
“Mentorship is typically not provided in undergraduate programs as large as ours,” Dean DuBois continued. “Our uniquely broad and deep alumni base makes this possible. Generous donor funding will allow us to expand the variety of mentorship interactions and professional development events, both in person and virtual.”
Feedback from students indicates that the SOAR program enhances their understanding of different majors and strengthens their connection to MCOB. Students appreciate the program’s experiential approach, which includes expert guest speakers, a business etiquette dinner, and assessment tests to align majors with their interests. The program aims to prevent students from reaching their senior year only to realize they have no interest in working in a job related to the major they chose.
The testimonials from students highlight the positive impact of the SOAR program on their academic and professional journeys and stand out as a comprehensive initiative that not only prepares them for the workforce but also fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment.
