Loren Dent set a career goal to be a Director of Communications in the world of nonprofit work. Having already accomplished this at age 27, she is learning what it means to dream bigger and imagine more. Loren (’19, ’21) spent her time at Ball State discovering herself and her passions and making connections that would help set her up for success in her career and personal life. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Johnson, Gross Nickle and Associates, a nonprofit consulting firm in Greenwood, Indiana. Ball State has played a huge role in uncovering Loren’s passion for nonprofit and philanthropy work and creating a vision for her career.

Ball State Experience

Ball State was not originally on Loren’s radar when she began to search for which college she would attend. None of her family members had attended BSU and her only connection to Ball State was that a friend of her mother was an alumnus. Loren had always imagined herself completing her studies at a larger university. However, her parents encouraged her to check out all of the Indiana schools. When she stepped foot on the Ball State campus, everything changed.

“I got on campus, and I saw McKinley Avenue; the beautiful flowers, landscaping, and new state-of-the-art dorms. I was immediately bought in. Ball State is so cutting edge in so many different ways and continues to be cutting edge.”

If there were a theme to Loren’s college experience, philanthropy would be at the forefront. Upon starting her Ball State career, Loren joined the historically black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Loren was able to find an amazing community there and had a lot of her time shaped by volunteering any and everywhere she could. She worked to obtain a leadership study certificate and fell in love with it. It wasn’t until looking back and reflecting that Loren was able to realize that these experiences were shaping and preparing her for a career in nonprofit work.

Originally a journalism major, Loren quickly realized that she did not have a strong desire to be a journalist, leaving her at a crossroads towards the end of her sophomore year. Had it not been for her faculty advisor Professor Terry Heifetz, Loren’s trajectory may have looked very different.

“I remember telling him that I didn’t want to be a journalist. I did not feel called to it or enjoy it. But I loved the writing, and I loved the program. He sat down and told me that it was okay and that I was not the only one. He then gave me options.”

Professor Heifetz explained that as long as she can write and communicate, she will be set. He encouraged her to fine-tune those things and also to think about graduate school. He explained the logistics, both financial and otherwise, of changing majors, which was helpful for Loren. From this conversation, Loren decided to double major in journalism and telecommunications while deciding to pursue a graduate degree in public relations at Ball State. This allowed her to enjoy the journalism program for what it was while also chasing the things that she was passionate about. “The biggest lesson that I learned at Ball State was that nothing is linear. No path is the only path; it is okay to weave and turn a little bit.

When prompted to recall her favorite Ball State memory, Loren had to take time to reflect. Ultimately, Homecoming her senior year stood out above the rest. With herself established and a majority of her college experience behind her, this week saw Loren fully enjoying the moment and leaning into the festivities. “In the falls previously, I was always coming up on midterms, stressed, but this was one of the few times in my college experience where I was so comfortable with what had happened and so excited about my future that I was able to fully enjoy homecoming for what it was. I had an absolute ball.”

 

Career Path

After completing her graduate program, equipped with a clear vision of where she wanted her career to go, Loren began working in a managerial role at Teach for America, a national education nonprofit. She managed communications there for the Indianapolis area for two years before transitioning to their national team. From there, she managed communications for three states while being fully remote.

Loren recently transitioned to her role as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Johnson, Gross Nickle & Associates after hearing of it through the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, of which she is completing a Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Fundraising. Loren is taking this opportunity to learn more about her passion and to discern whether she would like to pursue a doctorate degree.

For Loren, this next chapter for her is all about reimagining her goals and continuing to grow. Having accomplished her goal of becoming a Director of Communications, she has her sights set on Nonprofit Leadership. Loren would love to lead a national organization and understands that she has work to do to get there.

“I have to understand development. I have to understand fundraising and how to network with people…I feel that I am being equipped with all of the tools that I need to do that. I know that this career is setting me up to be a phenomenal communicator as an organizational leader”

 

Hope for Future Cardinals

Loren’s wish for this generation of Cardinals is that they are able to find comfort, while also being empowered to discover themselves and enjoy the journey that is college.

“I feel like often during collegiate experiences it is an either or, instead of both. Being super stressed out striving for a 4.0, or struggling to stay afloat academically with a thriving social life. There is a way to do both, to excel while getting the tools that you need.”

Loren’s passion and hope for the next generation of students in noticeable in both the way she speaks and her actions. One way that Loren has been able to work to pave the way for future students is through her involvement as a Board Member of the Ball State Black Alumni Council, Loren stated, “the impact that we have on black students when it comes to scholarship opportunities is great, and the impact that we seek to have of providing more resources for them is an amazing opportunity to be able to contribute towards.”

Nearly a member for two years, Loren has loved her experience on the Black Alumni Council. She specifically has found a lot of insight in observing how other members have navigated the workforce and family life. As a newer member to the workforce, it is clear that Loren values the experience and knowledge of those who have come before her, and will continue to lean on others to learn and grow.