Connecting Muncie Neighborhood partners and resources
Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Eliana Heimlich, Sam Atlas McCollum (Jasmine Taylor not in photo)
Photo by Shantanu Suman
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.
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.
The scholars: Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Eliana Heimlich, and Sam Atlas McCollum. Not pictured: Jasmine Taylor
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.)
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.
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).
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.
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.)
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
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.