Ball State University is a public research university in Muncie, Indiana, serving undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students across a broad range of academic fields. Founded in 1918, the university has grown into a comprehensive institution with seven academic colleges, a Graduate School, and an Honors College. Its academic portfolio includes nationally distinctive programs such as architecture, telecommunications, teacher education, business, health professions, and the arts, alongside research and community-engaged learning. The university’s work centers on student success, immersive learning, and public service. Ball State organizes many of its educational experiences around hands-on projects that connect students with employers, schools, health systems, arts organizations, and local governments. It also operates major public-facing resources in Indiana, including the David Owsley Museum of Art and Indiana Public Radio. Ball State’s Teachers College and other educator-preparation programs have long tied the institution to K-12 education in Indiana, while its health, counseling, and community programs extend services beyond campus. Ball State is classified among research universities and supports scholarly activity through institutes, centers, and graduate study. The university also maintains a statewide and regional role through online education, outreach, and partnerships that serve learners and communities beyond Muncie. As an Indiana public university, Ball State combines residential campus life with professional preparation, research, creative work, and civic engagement. Its scale, academic breadth, and emphasis on applied learning make it a significant higher education institution for east-central Indiana and the wider state.