When I transferred to Ball State University, I didn’t know what to expect. It was a difficult decision to transfer in my third year. I decided to pursue a career in education and felt Ball State was the place for that. I was stepping into a completely new environment—a new campus, a new field, and with no real sense of belonging. Honestly, I was afraid. But I took a leap of faith.

I wanted to hit the ground running, do amazing in my classes, join organizations, make friends, and find my place at Ball State. Those things didn’t happen in the way I expected, or as quickly as I wanted. I was fearful and started to question everything. I learned to let go of expectations of what I wanted my college experience to be and embrace what it was. After a few weeks, I started to feel more like I was part of the campus community.

One of the first people who made me feel seen was Professor Jennifer Young. She didn’t just teach me—she took the time to understand where I was coming from. I was new to the field of education and unsure of myself. She helped me get acclimated, and we formed a bond that still means a lot to me. She even nominated me for a Top 100 Student Award. That was my “Aha!” moment. I realized I didn’t have to fit into a traditional mold to be successful. My character, my work ethic, and my willingness to connect with professors and peers—that’s what made opportunities like that possible.

Professor Young wasn’t the only one to positively impact my experience. Throughout my time at Ball State, I had professors who genuinely cared about me. They reminded me, often, that I had value and potential.

But even with that support, I still struggled with a sense of belonging. That changed in my final year when I took a practicum class taught by Ms. Stephanie Ries. Through that class, I learned about the Whitely Institute, which introduces future educators to Whitely—a beautiful community on the east side of Muncie. I got to train under Dr. Eva Zygmunt and Minister Wilisha Scaife.

We began our Whitely Institute experience by learning about the rich history of the Whitely neighborhood and the legacy of the community we would later serve during our practicum. One powerful moment was our introduction to a selection of books chosen by Whitely students and community members—stories that represented who they are, arguably for the first time. These books were incredibly diverse and deeply resonant. For many of us, especially minority students, it was emotional to see ourselves reflected in the characters and storylines. It was one of the first times we truly felt seen. What moved me even more was witnessing what the community calls its “Community Cultural Wealth”—a deep-rooted dedication, faith, and love that has carried through generations. This experience inspired me to become the kind of educator who takes the time to understand the community in which I teach because that context is an essential part of who my students are.

Working alongside other passionate educators and community members in Whitely helped me visualize my future and recognize my purpose as an educator. I can confidently say that it radically changed my life.

Ball State provided me with more than just an education. It instilled in me confidence, purpose, and the support I needed to evolve into the educator I’m becoming.