Partnerships & National Networks

The Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) strengthens economic and civic learning through sustained partnerships that connect research, teacher development, public scholarship, and statewide civic infrastructure.

Leadership


David J. Roof, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) and Campus Director, American Democracy Project.
Dr. Roof leads CECL’s statewide and national civic learning portfolio, including educator professional learning, research-to-policy contributions, and campus-to-community democratic engagement.


Trygve Throntveit, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL).
Trained as a historian of American political thought and democratic development, Dr. Throntveit’s work connects civic learning to commons-building across differences and public problem-solving. His scholarship and civic practice strengthen CECL’s national partnership
strategy and its Third Way Civics alignment.

Objectives

  • Develop relationships with collaborators inside and outside the University.
  • Build peer networks that share knowledge, strategies, and resources for economic and civic learning.
  • Respond to civic needs with projects, professional learning, and public-facing work.
  • Contribute to national organizations that strengthen democratic learning and civic capacity.

Key Partnerships

Indiana Bar Foundation & the Indiana Civic Health Index

CECL contributed research leadership to the
2025 Indiana Civic Health Index,
supporting statewide analysis of voting and voter registration and translating civic data into policy-relevant insights for Indiana. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

American Democracy Project (ADP)

Ball State formally joined the American Democracy Project in 2025, and CECL serves as the coordinating home for ADP at Ball State. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) — Midwest Region

CECL’s primary-source professional learning connects to the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) ecosystem, including regional supports for educator inquiry and document-based civic learning. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Wake Forest University — Educating Character Initiative (ECI)

CECL’s civic character work aligns with national efforts supported by Wake Forest University’s
Educating Character Initiative (ECI).

Affiliated Faculty


Anand R. Marri, Ph.D.

Provost of Ball State University and an affiliated faculty partner supporting CECL’s institutional integration, cross-campus collaboration, and statewide civic learning initiatives.

[Add another affiliated faculty member here]

Copy this block, paste below, and replace: name, role, and profile link.