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Civic learning, character, leadership, and public engagement across Ball State and Indiana<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Ball State University begins a new academic year, the Center for Economic and Civic Learning is building on a period of significant growth in teacher development, student leadership, faculty collaboration, research, and public engagement.<\/p>\n During the past year, CECL expanded its work across Ball State and throughout Indiana. Educators participated in sustained professional learning through CREATE250, including a Summer Institute, an Indiana Statehouse experience, and a civic immersion in Washington, D.C. Faculty from Ball State and institutions across Indiana explored how civic character, ethical judgment, and public purpose can become meaningful parts of courses across disciplines. Teachers developed new classroom experiences connecting history, constitutional principles, primary sources, science, energy, and local decision-making. CECL also continued building opportunities for students through the Civic Studies Minor, Democracy Fellows, and Cardinals Vote!<\/p>\n Although these initiatives serve different audiences, they share a common purpose: helping students and educators develop the knowledge, character, and agency needed to participate thoughtfully in civic and community life.<\/p>\n As the United States observes its 250th anniversary and Indiana prepares for the 2026 election, this work is especially timely. The year ahead offers new opportunities for students, educators, faculty, and community members to study American history and constitutional democracy, engage important public questions with evidence and respect, and contribute constructively to the life of their communities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CECL invites community members, faculty, educators, and students to participate in the programs and opportunities below. Additional project stories and resources appear later in this update.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ball State University will welcome Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a member of the historic Little Rock Nine, for a featured Constitution Week presentation on Tuesday, September 15.<\/p>\n As a teenager, Ms. Brown-Trickey helped integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957 under federal protection, placing her at the center of one of the defining struggles over constitutional rights, public education, and equal opportunity in American history. She has since devoted her life to education, youth leadership, human rights, and civic engagement.<\/p>\n Her Ball State presentation will explore a question that remains urgent today: What does the work of democracy require of students, educators, and citizens?<\/p>\n \nTuesday, September 15, 2026<\/strong> Register for the Minnijean Brown-Trickey Program<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n CECL brings together educators, students, faculty, civic organizations, and community partners through public programs, professional learning, research, and civic-engagement opportunities. Community members can receive future announcements, classroom resources, event information, and project updates by joining the CECL email list.<\/p>\n Join the CECL Email List<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n CECL is recruiting faculty for the next C4G Faculty Community of Practice. C4G\u2014Cultivating Civic Character for the Common Good\u2014is a multiyear initiative that helps faculty consider how courses across disciplines can cultivate civic responsibility, ethical judgment, intellectual humility, courage, collaboration, and engagement across differences.<\/p>\n The Community of Practice provides a collaborative setting in which faculty can examine the public purposes of their disciplines, discuss common teaching challenges, learn from colleagues, and develop practical ways to connect course content with character, civic agency, and public responsibility.<\/p>\n Faculty from all disciplines and instructional formats are welcome. Prior experience with civic or character education is not required.<\/p>\n Learn More or Join the C4G Community of Practice<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n CECL is also seeking C4G Faculty Fellows interested in developing a more substantial curricular, research, creative, or community-engaged project related to civic character and the public purposes of higher education.<\/p>\n Faculty Fellows receive support as they design and document work that can strengthen student learning while contributing useful models, resources, or scholarship for colleagues at Ball State and beyond.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Explore the C4G Faculty Fellows Opportunity<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n CREATE250 is recruiting educators for its 2026\u201327 Community of Practice and Mentor Teacher network. Supported by the U.S. Department of Education, CREATE250 connects educators across Indiana through professional learning focused on American history, constitutional democracy, primary-source inquiry, civil discourse, civic character, and student-centered civic learning.<\/p>\n Community of Practice participants<\/strong> engage in sustained professional learning, collaborate with educators statewide, and receive support as they develop and implement civic-learning experiences for their students.<\/p>\n Mentor Teachers<\/strong> provide leadership within the network by supporting participating educators, facilitating small-group collaboration, and helping translate professional learning into classroom practice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Apply for the CREATE250 Community of Practice or Mentor Network<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ball State\u2019s interdisciplinary Civic Studies Minor is open to students from every major. The program helps students connect their academic interests with democratic thought, ethical leadership, community engagement, and public problem-solving.<\/p>\n Students can shape the minor around interests such as civic leadership, law and justice, media and democracy, education and equal opportunity, environment and place, or pluralism and civic identity. Coursework is complemented by campus engagement, community-based experiences, and opportunities to reflect on how students can contribute to their professions and communities.<\/p>\n Explore the Civic Studies Minor<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n As Ball State prepares for the 2026 election, CECL and its campus partners are expanding nonpartisan student education and engagement through Cardinals Vote! and the Democracy Fellows program.<\/p>\n Democracy Fellows serve as peer leaders who help students find accurate election information, understand registration and voting procedures, participate in campus programs, and recognize the role students can play in civic and community life. Fellows also develop practical experience in communication, leadership, event planning, public education, and democratic engagement.<\/p>\n <!– If recruitment remains open, add:<\/p>\n Applications are now being accepted for the 2026\u201327 Democracy Fellows cohort.<\/p>\n –><\/p>\nA New Year of Civic Learning<\/h2>\n
\nCECL News and Opportunities<\/h2>\n
For Our Community<\/h3>\n
Minnijean Brown-Trickey: Education, Courage, and the Work of Democracy<\/h4>\n
\n7\u20138:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.
\nL.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom
\nFree and open to the public\n<\/p>\nStay Connected With CECL<\/h4>\n
\nFor Faculty and Educators<\/h3>\n
Join the C4G Faculty Community of Practice<\/h4>\n
Become a C4G Faculty Fellow<\/h4>\n
Join the CREATE250 Statewide Educator Network<\/h4>\n
\nFor Students<\/h3>\n
Explore the Civic Studies Minor<\/h4>\n
Democracy Fellows and Cardinals Vote!<\/h4>\n