National Recognition for Ball State
Ball State has been awarded the Highly Established Action Plan Seal by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its outstanding efforts in developing a nonpartisan democratic engagement action plan. The 2024-2025 Ball State University ALL IN 2023 Action Plan, based on the Strengthening American Democracy Action Planning Guide (SADG) Rubric, has earned recognition as one of the top initiatives in the nation for promoting civic learning, community engagement, and college student voter participation.
Ball State is one of only 93 campuses nationwide to receive this prestigious recognition for the 2024 election cycle. The university’s commitment to fostering democratic engagement has been acknowledged through the Highly Established Action Plan Seal, showcasing its dedication to empowering students and the broader community with the knowledge and resources necessary for active participation in the democratic process.
Behind the Initiative
Abby Haworth, Director of the Office of Student Life, and David J. Roof, Director of the Center for Economic and Civic Learning, spearheaded the development of Ball State’s action plan, which focuses on enhancing voter education, promoting civic responsibility, and cultivating an informed and engaged electorate. The plan includes initiatives such as the Cardinals Vote! campaign and the Democracy 
Fellows program, designed to empower students and promote citizenship on campus.
“Our voter engagement action plan reflects Ball State’s ongoing commitment to advancing open expression and democratic values,” said Dr. Roof. “We are honored to receive this recognition from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and remain dedicated to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to become active and responsible citizens.”
Ball State’s Action Plan is a collaborative effort between Student Athletics and the Office of Community Engagement. This initiative is not just a local effort but is intricately connected to the larger framework of the NCAA, showcasing a commitment to leveraging sports as a conduit for positive societal change and community engagement.
The connection of ALL IN to the NCAA underscores the broader commitment of the organization to student development and community engagement. The NCAA, governing intercollegiate athletics across numerous institutions, has increasingly emphasized the importance of holistic student-athlete development, which includes academic achievements, personal growth, and active participation in community life.
Commitment to Democracy
In addition to the Highly Established Action Plan Seal, Ball State has committed to celebrating national initiatives, including National Voter Registration Day, National Voter Education Week, and Constitution Day, to further promote voter education and civic engagement on campus.
Further Initiatives and Information
For more information about Ball State’s voter engagement initiatives visit the Cardinals Vote! and Democracy Fellows page.
Ball State’s ALL IN action plan aims to significantly elevate the campus voting data, as evidenced by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) reports. A crucial next step involves encouraging Indiana students to register to vote by April 7th, urging all eligible students to take the ALL IN pledge.
The short-term objectives focus on surpassing Indiana’s youth voting rate, engaging the entire student body with comprehensive voting information, and nurturing a culture of political participation among first-time and first-generation college voters.
About ALL IN
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge envisions a more engaged and inclusive democracy. Through institutional engagement, direct student engagement, and fostering a national higher education network, ALL IN strives for an electorate that mirrors our country’s makeup and in which college students are democratically engaged on an ongoing basis, during and between elections, and not just at the polls. ALL IN believes that a strong, vibrant, and more representative American democracy will result from the greater inclusion of informed college student voters.
Media Contact
Name: David J. Roof
Title: Director, Center for Economic and Civic Learning
Email: djroof@bsu.edu