Celebrating Heartland's Spring Graduates 2026

Flipping the Odds

Mandy walked across the stage this May with an Associate degree in Human Services and an acceptance letter to Ball State.

In Indiana, only 1.7% of single mothers ever get that far.

She was also the very first resident to move into Heartland Scholar House. Her graduation isn't just hers, it's the proof of concept for everything we do.

Across Marion, Muncie, and Anderson, these diplomas aren't pieces of paper. They're the exact moment the cycle breaks, and a new one begins.

Across the Region: Meet This Spring's Graduates

Mandy isn't walking alone. Eight more scholars crossed their own finish lines this spring, every one of them balancing late-night studying, parenting, and coursework. Behind every name below is a child watching their mom finish something hard.

Irene earned her Paralegal Certificate after navigating twelve months of housing displacement with her family of six. Next up: her Associate degree, then Ball State.

J'essence completed her LPN Certification, a high-demand credential. She's already studying for the NCLEX with a plan to become an RN over the next two years.

Shanta earned her high school diploma from The Excel Center just one year ago. Twelve months later, she received her Certificate in Addiction Studies. She's heading to Ivy Tech next for an Associate degree in Human Services.

Paris took an intentional break this semester to complete National Guard Basic Training and Advanced HR training. She returns to Ball State this fall as a junior with leadership and HR expertise she didn't have in December.

Ingrid earned her Master's Degree in Urban Planning from Ball State University, with Dean's List honors, an invitation to deliver the welcome speech at commencement, and a thesis so strong her professor is helping her pursue publication.

Breah earned her Associate degree in Business Management from Sinclair Community College in Dayton and moves into the next phase of her professional development this fall.

Uniqua stacked four credentials at Ivy Tech Community College Marion: a Certificate in Business Administration, a Technical Certificate in Business Administration, an Applied Associate in Business Administration, and a Global Studies Certificate.

Andrea earned Technical Certificates in both Accounting and Business Administration from Ivy Tech Community College Marion and graduated as a member of the Honors Society.

Why "Stackable" Matters

Uniqua earned four credentials this year. That's not a list that's a ladder.

For our scholars, a certificate or Associate degree isn't a stopping point. It's a paycheck now and a stepping stone toward the next degree later. It's how a mom keeps her household running while she keeps climbing.

That's only possible because no one is walking it alone. When housing is stable, childcare is handled, and someone is beside you for the hard parts, you can put your full energy into the work in front of you. You can stop surviving and start building.

A Two-Generation Win

Somewhere this May, a kid sat in the bleachers and watched their mom walk across a stage in a cap and gown.

That kid is never going to wonder if college is something their family does. They already know. They were there when it happened.

The Documentary Is Coming

The late nights, the small wins, the studying-in-the-in-between it's all in our upcoming documentary.

Mandy's story is one of the ones you'll see on screen. The first scholar to move in. The one who showed us this could work and then proved it by walking across the stage this May.

We're hosting a select-audience screening this August for close supporters, followed by a wider public release this fall.

If you want to see this film before everyone else does, this is the moment. Join our mailing list for behind-the-scenes content, trailer drops, and first notice when the film goes live.