Transformation by Collaboration
Ball State University has a long track record of making positive, transformative impacts on individuals and communities. When University leaders observed declining enrollment and financial challenges in the Muncie Community Schools (MCS) district toward the end of 2017, Ball State presented a bold and unique proposal to partner with MCS and collaboratively turn things around.
Making this partnership a reality required new state legislation. Going into the legislative process, the proposal had the support of many Muncie community leaders and residents. And Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb was confident that the partnership was the way forward for the school district.
Two months after the General Assembly adopted unprecedented legislation in May 2018, granting Ball State oversight of MCS, Ball State and MCS launched a historic partnership that continues to transform the district. Over the last six academic years, this partnership has led to significant improvements in MCS’ budget, enrollment, student and teacher retention, teacher pay, pre-K offerings, and academic programming.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks at MCS’ “State of the Schools” community meeting on May 8 at Southside Middle School in Muncie
In an exclusive interview, Gov. Holcomb shares his perspective on this successful partnership, from its initial proposal to the present.
What were your initial thoughts about the proposal for this partnership between Ball State University and Muncie Community Schools (MCS)?
“I was hopeful because I knew the caliber of committed professionals who would be involved. Knowing their experience and knowledge, I knew it would not be a risk to the hoped-for return on investment. When you see that many different kinds of community leaders across various sectors involved, the opportunity to realize something special is great.”
Why did you believe this collaboration would succeed and that Ball State was the right partner to help MCS?
“The stars aligned. My wife [Janet (Amos) Holcomb, ’92 MA ’96] has two degrees from Ball State, so I could hear the Cardinals chirping.
We had the right leaders at the right time, in the right place. Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns was the North Star in it all. His leadership was essential for this partnership to flourish. His confidence and passion for educating our future workforce spoke volumes to the community, telling them that real help was coming. He was willing to think outside the box, which was a key ingredient in this recipe for success. This was not just ‘trying something new.’ This was doing something new. It was Ball State bold.
President Mearns felt strongly that the futures of Ball State, Muncie, and Muncie Community Schools were tied together. He felt a personal responsibility to do all that he could to help Muncie Community Schools.”
Who else do you credit for the partnership’s success?
“President Mearns’ commitment attracted numerous key players, including Mark Ervin, ’81 MA ’85 (member of MCS’ Board of Trustees) and Dr. K (Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, former chief executive officer and director of public education of MCS). Throughout our work with MCS, local leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and foundations stepped up to provide their expertise and treasure.
Also, let’s not forget that Ball State voluntarily decided to appoint Muncie residents to the MCS Board of Trustees. Significant credit goes to Ball State for ensuring that there was community input every step of the way. We’ll forever be indebted to President Mearns, and to other leaders in that constellation of stars, for their leadership.”
How much did Ball State’s solid track record as a top “educator of educators” affect your decision to support the proposed partnership?
“Ball State, with its proven knowledge, expertise, and results in the public education sector, was key. When you look at the heritage and the pedigree that Ball State has established, you see that the University prepares students year after year to be trailblazers in the education field. I think that helped make MCS teachers and staff more comfortable throughout the leadership transition.”
What takeaways would you like people to glean from this successful collaboration?
“I’m so proud of the progress made at MCS. In the process, Ball State has transformed the way we as a state—and, I hope, a nation—think about lifelong learning with the understanding of how the success of higher education institutions and local school corporations are intertwined and connected in ways that may not have been thought about 20 to 30 years ago. We’ll continue to rely on Ball State as we take Indiana to the next level.”
