Vision

Build meaningful, lasting relationships and opportunities for learning that advance democracy, economic vitality, and the public good.

Values

• Inclusion: Respect for different people, backgrounds, and perspectives.
• Knowledge: Evidence, scholarship, and intellectually honest inquiry.
• Connections: Partnerships that translate research into practical civic and economic impact.

Purpose

Advance Ball State’s mission by engaging students and communities in learning, research, and public work that
supports fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.

University relations

Strengthen campus-wide connections by convening faculty, programs, and partners around shared civic and economic goals.

Research and scholarship

Produce and translate research that improves civic learning, civic health, and democratic participation in Indiana and beyond.

CREATE250 (America250 civic learning)

A statewide community of practice for Title I educators—scaling rigorous, evidence-based civic learning across
Indiana in preparation for America’s Semiquincentennial.

C4G: Cultivating Civic Character for the Common Good

A multi-year effort strengthening character-infused civic education through faculty development, curricular redesign,
and campus programming—grounded in civic virtues such as justice, responsibility, gratitude, and civic courage.

American Democracy Project (ADP)

Ball State joined ADP and CECL now serves as the coordinating home—connecting campus initiatives, student programs,
and public events into a clearer civic ecosystem.

Indiana Civic Health Index (research-to-policy)

CECL contributed statewide analysis of voting and voter registration—highlighting gains as well as persistent
participation gaps that require policy and practice solutions.

Teaching with Primary Sources: “With Compassion Toward One Another”

An inquiry-driven initiative using the civic and moral lessons of April 4, 1968—RFK’s remarks at Ball State and in
Indianapolis after Dr. King’s assassination—to help teachers develop classroom-ready civic inquiry.

STEM + Civics (Lumina-funded pilot)

“Clean Energy in My Community” links clean-energy literacy with civic decision-making—supporting students and teachers
in producing real civic artifacts (public comments, proposals, op-eds, presentations) tied to local policy choices.

I. Collaboration & Connections

Goal: Build a community across Ball State, Indiana, and the nation that recognizes, supports, and strengthens economic and civic learning.

1. Develop relationships with collaborators inside and outside the University.
2. Create peer networks to share evidence, strategies, and resources.
3. Identify community and state needs and design projects that address them.
4. Play an active role in state and national organizations supporting civic and economic learning.

II. Innovation & Leadership

Goal: Serve as a productive center for research and projects that measurably improve civic learning.

1. Map faculty expertise across civic learning and economic education.
2. Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and project design.
3. Build CECL capacity as a state and national research leader.
4. Support schools and universities with high-quality civic learning models and tools.

III. Reputation & Recognition

Goal: Earn national recognition for innovation in economic and civic learning.

1. Disseminate research through reports, publications, and public scholarship.
2. Maintain a clear, accessible web presence for projects and results.
3. Share CECL capabilities with faculty, districts, and community partners.
4. Support conferences and events that extend CECL’s mission.