For over thirty years, the Black Alumni Council at Ball State University (formerly the Black Alumni Constituent Society) has fostered engagement, networking, and mentorship while supporting students through scholarships and conferences. Committed to advancing the educational, professional, and social interests of students both individually and collectively, the council continues to be a vital resource for the university community.

Corey Williamson, the newly elected president, received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication production in 1993 and his master’s in 1996, studying information and communication science. He juggles his work as a TCAT professor with family life as a father of four, grandfather of one, and husband of almost 30 years. 

After humbly accepting these new responsibilities, Corey got to work. His efforts are centered on a new mentoring program, which serves as the cornerstone of his initiative to strengthen alumni engagement.

“My vision is to establish a mentoring program in which the alumni community reaches out to Ball State students. We want to make sure that they have someone to speak to and help them when they make that transition into the real world,” Williamson said. 

This new project’s end goal is to bridge the gap between students and alumni. It will help current students network with successful alumni to establish relationships, jobs, internships, connections, and mentorship. They are hoping to establish plans to launch it by the end of this year. 

Above these new strategies and plans, the Black Alumni Council has established a tradition of granting students scholarships each semester from the funds raised during One Ball State Day.

One of their recipients is a recent graduate, Zuri Jackson, who has earned 10 scholarships, three of which were the Black Alumni Council Book Scholarship. Scholarships and involvement on campus were her only way to pay for a college education, so she put in the work. 

Zuri served as president for Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, served as the community service and sisterhood chair for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority INC, was a teacher’s assistant (TA) for an english course at Ball State University, was associated with the Black Student Association (BSA), was part of NRHH, and became a resident assistant (RA) in Woodworth all while tending to her degree, Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts. 

“I came from a place where everything we got we had to put the work in for it. I did come from poverty, so my household doesn’t have the funds to pay for school, so I had to look for other ways, leading me to look for scholarships and within that I found the Black Alumni Council. As a freshman I was told to go to a bunch of events and I actually listened. I found myself at the Alumni Center just roaming around and going to events. I met an alum who is still a good friend and mentor, who eventually introduced me to more people. Through these interactions I put my name out there and learned about these scholarship opportunities,” Zuri said. 

Zuri remembers when she received notice of her recognition through scholarship: “it didn’t feel real.” The application process was straightforward and simple. However, what set her apart was something many overlooked—networking. Attending events hosted by the Black Alumni Council, she naturally connected with members who would later become valuable mentors and friends.

Zuri started to find meaning in the idea of, “personality over principal,” and carries it with her as she embarks on her professional career with gratitude to those who have and continue to help her.