Residential & Student Affairs

Paul is beginning his 19th year as a proud member of the Academy Community, but this will be his third year as Director of Residential and Student Affairs. He is looking forward to the unique year ahead. Paul is originally from Muncie, Indiana and graduated from the University of Evansville with a B.A. in English and several minors. After graduating in 2000, Paul applied and was selected to participate in the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program in San Diego, California. There, he traveled the Western Region states as a National Service Volunteer. Paul has done several projects in the fields of the Environment, Unmet Human Needs, Public Safety, and Education. Whether assisting retired military in daily living, helping homeless street kids in San Diego, revitalizing a small town in Washington State, building homes with Habitat for Humanity in San Francisco, constructing a skate park for the youth of Virginia City, Nevada, or planning and implementing education programs throughout the Western Region, Paul has welcomed each new experience and embraces the opportunity and role of Director here at the Academy.

Paul has worked with almost every special event and committee at some point while on staff at the Academy. Paul received his Master of Arts degree in Executive Development for Public Service from Ball State University in 2006. Paul enjoys many diverse forms of music and writing, reading, volunteering, and almost anything related to sports. Paul and his wife, Sabra, celebrate the joys of their two daughters (Lynley and Myla) and enjoy re-experiencing the world once again through their daughters’ eyes. Paul’s passion and commitment to the Academy has grown stronger with each passing year and he looks forward to faithfully serving the students, parents, and fellow staff members of the Indiana Academy. He is proud to be a part of such a great school and amazing student experience.

Bridger is excited to begin his second full school year as Associate Director of Residential and Student Affairs. He loves working in an office directly across the courtyard from the apartment he lived in as a 1st floor SLC from 2013-2016.

Bridger was born in Hong Kong and lived in Macau through his childhood. His family moved to Huntington, Indiana when he was in fifth grade. He attended Huntington North High School and Huntington University (BA English ’09). During his time at HU, he was employed part-time as a local sportswriter and radio broadcaster. Bridger has returned to Southeast Asia many times since moving to Indiana, including seven trips as a volunteer with English camps in China and a two-year stint as an English instructor in Macau after college.

Bridger lives in Muncie with his wife Shannon (3rd floor SLC, 2012-2015), son Ben (age two), and baby daughter Hazel. Ben and Hazel are the only grandchildren on both sides of the family, so most of Bridger and Shannon’s free time is spent visiting with family around Indiana. Bridger is an avid sports fan (Go Cubs!), loves learning about other cultures, and is always eager to try new types of food—the spicier, the better!

Ms. Huggins attended Indiana Business College. Before coming to Ball State, she spent 13 years as a secretary at the Marsh Supermarkets Corporate Headquarters. Ms. Huggins has been with the Indiana Academy in the Office of Residential and Student Affairs for the past five years as Assistant to the Director of Residential and Student Affairs.

Ms. Johnson is the Night Office Supervisor for the Indiana Academy. She holds an Associates Degree in Electronics from Indiana Vocational Technical College and has additional hours toward the completion of a second Associates Degree in Design Technology. Before coming to the Academy, Ms. Johnson worked for a small Muncie business as a purchasing agent. Prior to that, Ms. Johnson worked for a local plastics company for eleven years and then opened her own daycare center.