CCIM Jump Start

Move in early. Make new friends. Imagine the possibilities.

August 10-13, 2025

CCIM Jump Start Program Overview

CCIM Jump Start is a transitional program for incoming first-year CCIM students helping them acclimate to all the changes and challenges college life presents. CCIM Jump Start participants will move directly into their assigned residence hall room (early!), engage with key college faculty, meet other first-year students, and become familiar with Ball State’s beautiful campus. Additionally, CCIM Jump Start participants will be introduced to a variety of clubs, majors, organizations and career opportunities that are sure to help them find their “nest” and flourish in the years to come.

FAQs

  • CCIM Jump Start is a 3-Day transition-to-college program for incoming first-year freshmen, hosted by the College of Communication, Information, and Media.

  • Participants in the CCIM Jump Start program will meet and interact with key college faculty, get to know other first-year students, and be exposed to a plethora of clubs, organizations and activities within the college and across campus.

  • Of course! During CCIM Jump Start, we will board a Ball State charter bus and head to downtown Indianapolis for a day to tour a variety of professional media and communications companies. We may even make a quick stop someplace special for some food and fun before heading back to Ball State!

  • CCIM Jump Start is a competitive application-based program for first-time, on-campus students starting Fall 2024. Students must be a major within the College of Communication, Information, and Media and apply during the application period to be considered. All incoming CCIM majors are encouraged to apply. Priority consideration will be given to first-generation students who apply by July 14!

  • CICS:

    • Applied Cybersecurity

    • Computer and Information Technology

    Communication Studies:

    • Interpersonal Communication

    • Organizational Communication

    • Public Communication

    • Entertainment and Sports Communication

    Journalism and Strategic Communication:

    • Journalism (News, Magazine, Photojournalism, Mass Media, Sports Writing & Multimedia Storytelling)

    • Journalism Education

    • Media Design and Development

    • Strategic Communication (Advertising, Public Relations)

    Media:

    • Film & Media Studies

    • Media Promotion and Management

    • News

    • Production

    • Sports Reporting

  • Applicants will be notified via email or phone regarding their application status by no later than July 24 (or sooner).

 Meet the Instructors

 Brian Hayes

Brian Hayes is a Senior Lecturer and Assistant Dean for Student Outreach and Engagement within the College of Communication, Information, and Media. Prior to joining the faculty at Ball State, he taught high school journalism and worked as a professional news designer and graphics editor at several newspapers across the Midwest and Southeast.

At Ball State, Hayes serves on multiple college and university-level committees and is a past-president and member of Ball State’s Journalism Alumni Society. In his role as assistant dean for student outreach and engagement, Hayes coordinates workshops, conferences and events for secondary students and teachers to learn, grow and develop as communicators, storytellers, and multimedia specialists. His contributions to scholastic journalism education have been recognized at both the state and national levels, most prominently through working with the Indiana High School Press Association, the Indiana Department of Education and the Journalism Education Association, a national organization for journalism educators.