When Isaac Rogers discusses LaGrange County and Brooke Wagner talks about Wabash County, a common theme emerges from their different experiences: pride, curiosity and a growing sense of possibility.

Both represent their home counties as County Ambassadors in Ball State University’s County Ambassador Program. The student-to-student engagement program empowers students to share community pride and to encourage their friends and classmates to consider working or living there in the future. While the program is innovative, its impact is best understood through students like Isaac and Brooke, whose experiences show how a connection to place can shape confidence, career paths and future choices.

Isaac joined the County Ambassador Program when it launched in 2023. A marketing major from LaGrange County, he signed up because he cared deeply about his roots. He did not expect how much the role would change his perspective. Through conversations on campus, social media posts and visits back home, Isaac began highlighting local businesses, parks and gathering spots, discovering parts of his community he had overlooked while growing up.

“Being in the County Ambassador Program opened my eyes to the amazing things LaGrange County has that many other counties don’t,” Isaac said. “There are geographical benefits to having over 40 lakes, numerous rivers, woods and open land. That made me realize it’s so much more than ‘we don’t have a McDonald’s’ or ‘there’s nowhere to go-kart.’”

Isaac became one of the program’s most active ambassadors, volunteering to speak with campus visitors and represent his county at events. He also took advantage of opportunities like the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indianapolis, expanding his professional network and enhancing his communication skills. As he prepares to graduate, Isaac plans to stay in Indiana, carrying a renewed pride in his hometown and a clearer sense of direction.

Brooke joined the program later, but she gained momentum right away. A sophomore from Wabash County studying architecture and planning, Brooke became involved after interning with her local community foundation. She quickly embraced the ambassador role, sharing stories about her community on LinkedIn and connecting with peers who were still figuring out their paths after graduation.

Like Isaac, Brooke’s impact extends beyond storytelling. When a prospective student needed a last-minute tour of Ball State’s architecture and planning facilities, Brooke stepped in with confidence, creating an itinerary and leading the visit. The experience reflected what the program aims to build: leadership, professionalism and the ability to represent both community and university.

“As a student in the Urban Planning program at Ball State, developing communication strategies, speaking with community members and practicing placemaking are essential skills,” Brooke said. “The program has improved how I can apply these skills in various situations.”

Although Isaac and Brooke are at different stages in their college journeys, their stories highlight the same truth. When students are trusted to voice their communities, they grow. Ball State’s County Ambassador Program connects students with counties across Indiana through peer-to-peer storytelling, helping them develop skills that extend well beyond college.

Today, half of Indiana’s counties are engaged, with over 30 counties represented by a student ambassador and others working to identify a student. Its success is measured not only by participation but also by the students who leave college more confident, more connected and more intentional about where they want to build their futures.

For counties, employers and community leaders, the opportunity is clear. If your county is not yet involved or if you want to engage students already connected to your community, now is the time to act. By partnering with Ball State’s County Ambassador Program, communities can ensure their stories are told by those who know them best and help shape the next generation of Indiana’s talent.

To learn more about the County Ambassador Program, visit www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/governmental-relations/county-ambassador-program.