CenterPoint Scholars Class of 25-26

Meet the 2025-2026 SCHOLARS

The scholars: Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Eliana Heimlich, and Sam Atlas McCollum. Not pictured: Jasmine Taylor

THE PROGRAM

The 2025-2026 CenterPoint Scholars Program kicked off with a weekend retreat April. The retreat set the framework for the year-long program and built connections between participants.

Regular meetings were held monthly at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center (400 W. Minnetrista Blvd.)

2025-2026 SCHEDULE | DOWNLOAD (pdf)

IDEA Conference – March 8, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Understanding Local Government Structure & Finance
Code Enforcement Panel
Increasing Relationships and Resources and Decreasing Barriers

Muncie Retreat- April 11-12, 2025

Developing Your Personal Why
Project Management: Goal Setting
Project Management: Budgeting
Trust Building
Effective Leadership
Community Connections Panel
An Introduction to Advocacy

Tuesday, April 15, 5 – 7 p.m.

The Importance of Neighborhoods

Tuesday, May 20, 5 – 7 p.m.

Effective Communication – Listening with your Eyes

Tuesday, June 17, (5 – 7 p.m.

How to Fund Your Association’s Work (panel)

Tuesday, July 15, 7 – 9 p.m.

Neighborhood Pool Party @ Tuhey

Tuesday, August 19, 5 – 7 p.m.

Conflict Management

Tuesday, September 16, 5 – 7 p.m.

Resident Listening

Tuesday, October 14, 5 – 7 p.m.

Pitch 2026 Projects

Tuesday, November 18, 5 – 7 p.m.

Celebrating Lessons Learned

Tuesday, December 16, 5 – 7 p.m.

Project Work Day

Tuesday, January 20, 5 – 7 p.m.

Recruitment

Tuesday, February 17, 5 – 7 p.m.

Presentation to Neighborhood Leadership Council and Elected Officials

The program will culminate with a presentation by the Scholars at the 2026 IDEA Conference, Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Ball State University Student Center.

PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP

Muncie Action Plan Logo
BBN logo
Shafer Leadership Academy Logo

SUPPORTERS

Logo for the Muncie & Delaware County Community Foundation

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).

Learn more

Presenter, Partner, and Supporter logos

CenterPoint Scholars Class of 24-25

In 2024-2025 the CenterPoint Scholars Program trained ten neighborhood leaders, equipping them with essential skills for advocacy, resident engagement, and project management. Learn more or sign-up for the 2025-2026 CenterPoint Scholars Program.

2024-2025 SCHOLARS

THE PROGRAM

The CenterPoint Scholars Program kicked-off with a weekend retreat April 19-21 at Hueston Woods, OH. The retreat set the framework for the year-long program and built connections between participants.

Meetings are held monthly at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center (400 W. Minnetrista Blvd.)

SCHEDULE | DOWNLOAD (pdf)

2024

IDEA Conference – March 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Building Relationships with Elected Officials
How to Run a Meeting
Effective Communication for Neighborhood Leaders (part 1)

Tuesday, April 16, 5 – 7 p.m.

Effective Communication for Neighborhood Leaders (part 2)

Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21 Retreat at Hueston Woods | Schedule

Developing Your Personal Why
The Importance of Neighborhoods
Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
Active Listening
Effective Leadership
Community Connections
An Introduction to Advocacy

Tuesday, May 21, 5 – 7 p.m.

Project Management and Goal Setting

Tuesday, June 18, 5 – 7 p.m.

Project Management and Data Analysis / Financial Literacy

Tuesday, July 16 7 – 9 p.m. POOL PARTY @ Tuhey

Neighborhoods Pool Party @ Tuhey

Tuesday, August 20, 5 – 7 p.m.

Trust Building

Tuesday, September 17, 5 – 7 p.m.

Crowdbased Fundraising

Tuesday, October 15, 5 – 7 p.m.

Pitch 2025 Projects

Tuesday, November 19, 5 – 7 p.m.

Celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Tuesday, December 17, 5 – 7 p.m.

Project Work Day

2025

Tuesday, January 21, 5 – 7 p.m.

Delegation

Tuesday, February 18, 5 – 7 p.m.

Presentation to Neighborhood Leadership Council and Elected Officials

The program will culminate with a lunch keynote presentation by the Scholars at the 2025 IDEA Conference, Saturday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Ball State University Student Center.

PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP

Muncie Action Plan Logo
BBN logo
Shafer Leadership Academy Logo

SUPPORTERS

Logo for the Muncie & Delaware County Community Foundation