Ball State College Mentors for Kids Chapter Marks 25 Years of Mentoring
Aubrey Trittipo, a sophomore elementary education major, leads a hands-on activity.
Ball State’s College Mentors for Kids chapter celebrates 25 years of connecting student mentors with Muncie children through weekly campus visits, service, and career exploration.
College Mentors for Kids (CMFK) is marking its 30th anniversary, and Ball State University’s chapter has now been part of that story for 25 years.
Dixie Denton, senior lecturer in the Department of Elementary Education, was tapped to help launch the University’s chapter in 2001. She has served as site manager ever since, supporting the student leaders who run the organization.
Zora Miller, a sophomore social work major, mentors a Little Buddy.
“Lives have been changed through this program—for children, their families, our college students, and the community,” Ms. Denton said. “I know it’s working because I’ve seen it firsthand.”
Headquartered in Indianapolis, CMFK pairs elementary students with Ball State student mentors for weekly campus visits where children participate in themed activities, collaborate with student organizations, complete service projects, and explore campus while learning about higher education, career pathways, and community engagement. The program also encourages confidence and an understanding of the importance of education and mentorship.
Rebecca Alexander, ’19, senior associate director of growth and expansion for CMFK, works closely with student leaders at Ball State and said that impact is deliberate.
“Our program is intentionally dual impact,” Ms. Alexander said. “While we strive to make a difference in the lives of our Little Buddies, we are equally committed to the growth and development of our college student mentors.”
In its 25-year history, the Ball State chapter has served more than 6,000 Little Buddies and mentors, contributing to an organization-wide impact that now exceeds 30,000 participants.
For some college mentors, that impact extends beyond their time on campus, shaping who they become and the work they pursue.
Little Buddy Layna and her mom supported Lexi Evers, ’17, at graduation.
Full-circle moments
When Lexi Evers, ’17, was paired with a Little Buddy named Layna, she found it was an experience she looked forward to week after week.
“Spending time with Layna reminded me to slow down and have fun,” Ms. Evers said. “I found a meaningful connection and a sense of belonging on campus that made me feel more at home.”
After graduating with a degree in social work, Ms. Evers worked for the Department of Child Services before returning to CMFK, where she has spent the past eight years growing within the organization. She now serves as national director of programming.
“I am so grateful to Ball State for opening that door,” Ms. Evers said. “What started with one Little Buddy turned into a career I never saw coming.”
Ms. Denton said the program’s impact is often seen in full-circle moments. A few years ago, she recognized a student in her classroom who had once been a Little Buddy.
“I had to hold back a few tears,” Ms. Denton said. “The student couldn’t wait for me to recognize her. In that moment, I understood just how much those relationships between our students and their Little Buddies can make a difference.”
