Hello everyone!  My name is Charity Coffman and I am the Assistant Director of Organizational Development and Learning here at Ball State.  My role sits inside the Office of Engagement, Wellbeing, and Culture which is a part of the Office for People and Culture (formerly Human Resources.)

What is the purpose of the work performed in your area and how does it tie into the larger work of the University?

My work is focused on helping our employees on campus connect with our learning and development resources.  This is accomplished in a variety of ways.  We have some amazing partnerships here at Ball State that I try to highlight and connect folks with (like Academic Impressions, Shafer Leadership Academy, and Udemy). We also offer our own Ball State-specific learning opportunities throughout the year.  I curate, promote, and help guide this content for the University.

What are some new or existing initiatives in your area?

Some of the programs provided through the Learning and Development office include our LEAD and SEED programs.  LEAD is a cohort-based, leadership development program that is held once per year. Participants are nominated for the program by their Vice Presidents. The next cohort will be in the Spring of 2025.  SEED is our supervisor training program.  This program just started in May 2024 and is designed to help newly hired and promoted supervisors transition into their roles at Ball State. Additionally, we offer a variety of courses working with campus partners throughout the year.

What’s your favorite part about the work performed in your area?

One of the things I truly love about the work I do here is the dedication that Ball State has to its people.  Ball State cares about its employees’ learning and growth.

What’s a fun fact about you related to your work?

Before coming to Ball State, I was a teacher and administrator for Muncie Community Schools for fourteen years.  I also love Disney and my dream job (besides working for Ball State of course) would be working for the Disney Institute.

Share any additional information that you feel is important to communicate.

As an employee, I encourage you to think about what professional development and growth looks like for you.  Have conversations with your supervisor about things you might like to explore or learn more about. They can help connect you with learning resources for your professional development. If you or your supervisor need help with this process, I am always here to provide guidance. If you have an idea for a session or topic you would like to see Learning and Development offer, please feel free to reach out to me directly at ccoffman@bsu.edu or learndev@bsu.edu.