A Life Built on Gratitude and Purpose

Ball State Teachers College is proud to honor Ally Bright (’21) as the recipient of the 2025 Teachers College Young Alumni Award. The Young Alumni Award recognizes a recent graduate, age 40 or under, who has demonstrated outstanding early career achievement, and Ally’s career is a testament to just that.

A 2021 graduate with a degree in Social Studies Education, Ally has already made her mark in both education and philanthropy. Now serving as Donor Engagement Coordinator for Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, she continues to teach, inspire, and lead, just in a different kind of classroom.

“My current career is in the philanthropy field, but I see myself as an educator still every day,” she shared. “I now educate people on the amazing impact and work that Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity does in the community.”

Building a Foundation at Ball State

Ally’s Ball State journey was filled with opportunities that helped her grow as both an educator and a leader. Her favorite memory comes from her time participating in a Virginia Ball Center Immersive Learning Project focused on assessment literacy under the mentorship of Dr. Lynne Stallings.

“It was my favorite memory of Ball State, as I had the opportunity to work alongside other students to research, gather data, and delve deeply into the topic of Assessment Literacy,” Ally said. “It was a life-changing experience and gave me a lot of knowledge and skills that helped me in the classroom and now in my new career in philanthropy.”

That hands-on approach to learning, paired with leadership roles in College Mentors for Kids and Rotaract Club, helped her build a foundation of empathy and service that would guide her future. As president of Rotaract for two years, she led service projects that made a tangible difference in the Muncie community.

“We planned amazing events and volunteering opportunities,” she said. “We worked with Habitat for Humanity, helped build a home in the community, partnered with a Girl Scout troop, and even hosted an etiquette dinner. We could see the impact in our work, especially when talking with the leaders of the schools we worked with. They were grateful for the program and knew it was important for the kids to have a mentor in their lives.”

Mentors Who Made a Difference

Ally credits much of her success to the professors and mentors who guided her during her time at Ball State.

“Eric Shafer and Dustin Hunt were both pivotal to me growing my confidence as an educator,” she said. “They helped be my mentors. Lynne Stallings did the same and has been rooting for me ever since I graduated.”

Working at the Ball State Alumni Center also played a key role in shaping her career path. “While working in the Alumni Center, I really fell in love with the career of philanthropy,” she said. “It was amazing that my professors understood that I needed to work while being at BSU to pay for it, and so I never felt too overwhelmed while working and being a full-time student.”

Those evenings spent calling alumni created lasting connections. “My favorite alumni to talk to were fellow alumni of the Teachers College,” Ally recalled. “They always gave me advice, encouraged me about my future, and loved sharing about their time at Ball State University.”

Teaching Gratitude

When asked what advice she would offer to current students or future educators, Ally’s answer reflects the philosophy that has guided her life and career: gratitude.

“Gratitude is an important driver of my life,” she said. “No matter where I find myself, I can look back on anything I’ve been through and find something that I am grateful for. There can be tough days no matter where you work, but you will always have that one class, that one colleague, and that one mentor who you are grateful for. Then, you should tell them that you are grateful for.”

From Student Philanthropy to Lifelong Purpose

In 2021, Ally received Ball State’s Student Philanthropy Award, not realizing how closely it would align with her future. “At the time, I had no idea that I would eventually build a career in philanthropy, but looking back, it feels like a natural path,” she said.

She sees philanthropy as an extension of the same passion that drew her to education.

“Everything I’ve done and everything I value in life aligns with what philanthropy represents – compassion, community, and connection,” she said. “To me, this is what philanthropy is all about: giving, sharing gratitude, and helping others do the same in ways that matter most to them.”

At Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, Ally now helps families and individuals achieve the dream of affordable homeownership, an impact that ripples through generations. “I love being able to steward donors and show our gratitude for their generosity toward our mission,” she said. “I love being able to use my skills from the classroom to be a better fundraiser.”

Looking Back and Paying It Forward

Returning to Ball State in 2024 was a nostalgic experience for Ally. “It was amazing to walk around campus and have all of the nostalgia flood back in,” she said. “I loved getting to walk through the Scramble Light again, see the David Owsley Museum, and remember amazing times in the Teachers College.”

Whether she’s teaching, fundraising, or volunteering, Ally Bright continues to embody what it means to be a Ball State educator: passionate, purposeful, and filled with gratitude. Her journey from classroom to community perfectly captures the spirit of the Teachers College Young Alumni Award, honoring those who not only achieve early success but uplift others along the way.