Welcome to the new class of 2025 CenterPoint Scholars!

Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Eliana Heimlich, Sam Atlas McCollum (Jasmine Taylor not in photo) Photo by Shantanu Suman

Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Eliana Heimlich, Sam Atlas McCollum (Jasmine Taylor not in photo)
Photo by Shantanu Suman

Welcoming the Second Cohort of CenterPoint Scholars

Since 2010, Muncie Action Plan (MAP) has been supporting neighborhood leaders through its Neighborhood Leadership Council. In October 2023, MAP expanded this commitment by launching a new initiative—thanks to a generous grant from CenterPoint Energy—to train emerging leaders in grassroots advocacy. This initiative, the CenterPoint Scholars Program, offers a year-long leadership development experience focused on building skills that directly impact Muncie’s neighborhoods.

The program began with a competitive application process in January, and the second cohort of Scholars was officially introduced at the March 2025 IDEA Conference. In April, the Scholars participated in a weekend retreat at highlighted locations in Muncie to kick off the program. This retreat laid the groundwork for a year of learning, connection, and community impact.

We are excited to welcome our second cohort of CenterPoint Scholars:

This class of CenterPoint Scholars is exploring topics like project management, conflict resolution, and trust building, all while working on neighborhood-based projects designed to create lasting, positive change. They are joining our Neighborhood Leadership Council in monthly trainings from March 2025 through March 2026, and their efforts will culminate in a final presentation led by the Scholars at the 2026 IDEA Conference. MAP is proud to support these emerging leaders and excited to see the impact of their work across our community.

For more information about the CenterPoint Scholars Program, visit muncieneighborhoods.org/centerpoint-scholars.

Muncie Action Plan CenterPoint Scholars initiative update!

CenterPoint Scholar class of 2024 group photo

MAP has been providing neighborhood leadership skill development since 2010 through the Neighborhood Leadership Council. In October 2023, MAP received a generous grant from CenterPoint Energy to create a new program to train ten individuals in grassroots advocacy. The program began with a competitive application process in January 2024 and an announcement of Scholars at the March 2024 IDEA Conference.

The CenterPoint Scholars attended a weekend retreat at Hueston Woods in April to set the framework for the year-long program and to build connections between participants. Scholars are participating in monthly trainings (Mar. 2024 – Mar. 2025) on topics that include project management, conflict resolution, and trust building while working towards the completion of projects that will positively impact our city’s neighborhoods.

The 2024-2025 CenterPoint Scholars are Alexis Dishman (Western Woods), Bernice Graham (Whitely), Christah Brantley (McKinley), Gracie Scholl (Thomas Park/Avondale), Judah Smith (Halteman Village), Marquiese McClendon (Southside), Napoleon Price Jr. (South Central), Patricia Akins (Industry), Rheaunna Jones (Carlton), and William Thomas (Thomas Park/Avondale).

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