Top 10

Katelyn Harris stays busy.

The 2019 Jay County High School graduate and Ball State University senior was recently named one of the Top 10 Students at Ball State University.

Harris had been named one of the college’s top 50 seniors in Feburary.

The top-10 award, which is new this year, acknowledges junior and senior undergraduate students who represent the “spirit of Beneficence,” Ball State’s icon symbolizing generosity and other values. This is Harris’ second time she has been named as one of the Top 100 Students at her college.

“I know that I try my best, but when I get awards or acknowledgment, it’s kind of academic shock,” said Harris.

Although she’s pleasantly surprised by the recognition, her jam-packed resume speaks for itself.

A Portland native, she studies pre-medical preparation and biology. Harris works as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Bethel Pointe Health and Rehabilitation and balances three other jobs, providing supplemental instruction for a first-level biology course, tutoring at Ball State Learning Center and interning with Ball State Health Humanities Department, which offers up to a minor in its field of study.

Harris helps develop curriculum and present the health humanities program to high schools students in Muncie. When she graduates in May, she’ll be the first student to receive a health humanities minor at Ball State University. (She noted that the school is hoping to bump it to a full-fledged program students can major in next academic year.)

“The health humanities is essentially the study of being a humane person, which is very needed in any kind of health care, but also in life,” she said. “You don’t have to be a biology or a medical major, you can be in any major and you’ll be able to investigate things that are going on culturally or socially.”

She referenced organ procurement, women in health and bioethics as examples, advocating for patient holistic care.

Harris divides her time between a variety of clubs and organizations. She’s a member of the pre-medical club, chemistry society, pre-health professionals, honor society, wildlife society and Student Affiliates of the American Chemistry Association. (She was also recently named this year’s Outstanding Student in Biology.) Harris stays active in her dance club, Operation Blackout, and has volunteered with IU Health hospitals, Feed My Starving Children, Action for Animals, American Red Cross and Read United.

She also researched maternal addictions through the Addictions Coalition of Delaware County, interviewing women struggling with addiction while wanting to have children, being pregnant or living postpartum. As a student who plans to go into family medicine with a specialty in pediatrics, Harris said the issue jumped out to her.

“I want to be able to help not only the child but also make sure the child’s parents are in a good standing,” she said.

She has visited Maine twice to work with The Root Cellar, a nonprofit organization offering programs for kids and adults. She worked with refugees from all over the world, helping place them in semi-permanent homes, get jobs, learn English and understand American cultural norms.

“It can be a really big culture shock, especially to some,” she explained. “For those that are coming from Africa … our table manners to them (are) kind of insulting to their culture.”

Harris has contributed to a variety of other outreach programs and events. She helped organize Day of Dance — all of Ball State University’s dance clubs performing together — on March 25. A former drum major for Jay County High School Marching Patriots, she has also been a summer band instructor for her alma mater’s woodwind section.

Jim Mills, assistant director of the learning center, praised Harris for her hard work in a letter nominating her for the award.

“During the time that we’ve worked together, Katelyn consistently demonstrates the characteristics of a dedicated and passionate professional,” he said. “Katelyn has been consistently praised for her ability to put students at ease and help build a long-lasting confidence with the material … I have no doubt that Katelyn will one day be an excellent, inclusive, and accessible professional!”

She will be honored during an awards reception at 3 p.m. Wednesday, which falls on One Ball State Day, a 24-hour online fundraising event held each year in April.

Harris plans to take a gap year after graduating May 6, during which time she’ll apply for medical school and study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

While she takes some time away from school, she’ll continue her internship with the Ball State Health Humanities Department and helping the high school band, as well as providing care as a CNA. She’s looking forward to having some time to herself to travel for volunteer work and family.

Harris expressed her gratitude for the award, which she said has encouraged her to continue investing in her future.

“I guess some days I don’t believe it,” she said. “I definitely understand that I work hard and I do a lot of things, but to get acknowledgement of that feels very nice. It’s kind of like the needed pat on the back to know that I’ve done the right things and knowing that I’m going in the right direction.”