Transforming Lives and Communities

“Building lasting relationships and opportunities for learning that advance democracy, economic vitality, and the public good.”

Ball State University’s Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) has a straightforward mission, yet its impact has been extraordinary.

Overseeing millions in external funding, CECL’s projects span continents, impacting lives in the United States, Asia, and Africa. With a team of seven and an Afghan fellow supported by the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund, CECL leads global economic and civic education, operating under the umbrella of the Teachers College’s Office of the Dean.

“Ball State is extremely proud of its work to advance economic and civic education locally, nationally, and globally,” said Dr. David J. Roof, CECL director and associate professor of educational studies. “If education is about passing on knowledge and skills, learning transforms experiences into knowledge, skills, and behaviors.”

Here are some of CECL’s key programs and initiatives:

Empowering Students Through Democracy

CECL’s initiatives inspire students to actively engage in democracy, including the Democracy Fellows program, which supports five Ball State undergraduate students.

Among them is Shaina Miller, a junior and Whitinger Scholar, recognized nationally by the 2024 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll for her civic engagement. This honor underscores CECL’s dedication to fostering democratic participation among students.

“We live in a diverse, ever-changing world, so building civic engagement habits among young people is more important than ever,” said Ms. Miller, a political science major with minors in history and sustainability. “As a Democracy Fellow, I work to break down barriers to civic engagement and activate my campus through classroom visits, voter registration, and peer-to-peer support. In just a year, I’ve seen students grow into more engaged, educated citizens. This gives me hope for the future of my campus and this program.”

Cardinals Vote! Campaign

A flagship project under CECL is the Cardinals Vote! Campaign. In collaboration with the Office of Student Life and the Office of Community Engagement, this initiative promotes student voter information and non-partisan civic engagement across the University and the surrounding community.

The campaign’s success was acknowledged by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, which awarded Ball State the Highly Established Action Plan Seal in 2024 for its outstanding nonpartisan democratic engagement action plan.

“CECL is dedicated to equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive in a global society,” Dr. Roof said. “The Cardinals Vote! partnership allows us to extend the reach of our current initiatives, creating a lasting impact on both our campus and the broader community.”

Civic Learning Symposium

CECL hosts significant events like the annual Civic Learning Symposium, which underscores the center’s role in fostering an environment of active civic engagement among students and faculty.

This event serves as a focal point for faculty, educators, and community members to come together, share insights, and explore innovative approaches to civic education and engagement.

The 2024 symposium, held Sept. 27-28, featured distinguished speakers Freeman A. Hrabowski III and Harry Boyte, who inspired dialogue on education and democracy.

CREATE Project

A standout CECL collaboration is the CREATE project, or Civic Renewal Through Education for Agency, Tolerance and Engagement—a partnership between Ball State and Muncie Community Schools that is funded by a $1.6 million U.S. Department of Education grant. The project enriches K-12 education with a civics curriculum targeting economically disadvantaged students.

CREATE has made significant strides in professional development for teachers and boosting student engagement, exemplifying Ball State’s dedication to community enhancement and educational excellence.

“Our CREATE team is focused on enhancing educators’ ability to foster civic learning in students,” said Dr. Anand Marri, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. “CREATE combines time-tested and innovative strategies, adapts evidence-based methods, and tracks outcomes to develop a scalable model for building civic capacity through K-12 schools.”

Legislative Advocacy and Impact

CECL’s influence extends beyond the campus and local community, reaching into the legislative arena. The center played a vital role in drafting and lobbying for Indiana Senate Bill (SB) 211, the Excellence in Civic Engagement Designation for Indiana Students.

This bill, signed into law by former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, LLD ’24, mandates the implementation of civic engagement recognition on transcripts for students graduating from 2029 onwards. This legislative success reflects CECL’s collaborative efforts to advance civic education across Indiana.

Global and Local Projects

CECL’s initiatives are not confined to local projects but span national and global contexts. By addressing unique needs in diverse environments, CECL enhances the economic and civic life of citizens worldwide.

“This alignment with Ball State’s mission of engaging students in educational research and creative endeavors demonstrates the University’s dedication to transformative learning experiences,” Dr. Roof said.

Afghan Fellow Initiative

A unique aspect of CECL is its hosting of an Afghan fellow through the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF).

This program—the only global initiative of its kind—arranges, funds, and supports scholars who are threatened and displaced.

“This fellowship not only supports the individual scholar, but also enriches the academic environment at Ball State, fostering a diverse and inclusive learning community,” Dr. Roof said.