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Ball State University's College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) is committed to assisting Indiana communities in their quests to improve their physical environment and quality of life. Conceived as the Urban Design Studio (1969-1976) then rebranded as Community-Based Projects (CBP), our College's immersion programs have engaged more than 200 projects through over four decades of work. As a survey of our efforts, this publication invites students, faculty, citizens, and civic leaders to review sample projects related to community design and planning. Dedicated teams of students and faculty have volunteered their time and talent in public service of our state, promoting a well-considered process of public participatory engagement. But our programs only engage when communities invite us to join hands with local efforts to raise awareness and enhance the quality of urban design and planning for the good of society. To facilitate constructive public envisioning in open, collaborative discussions involving all segments of society, our CBP programs have developed special communication techniques and strategies. Case studies in this book display our process of inclusive planning for experts and laymen alike to view and explore. By offering insight into Ball State University's continuing tradition of public engagement, we hope that these examples will help citizens become better informed and interested in universities as neutral brokers, peace makers, and expert hands to join their efforts to develop a better environment for their families. Informed community leaders can safely search for direction to envision ideas and strategies for successful master planning. Such engagement through university service programs gives students real opportunities to learn and appreciate the leadership and social responsibility required of today's architects, landscape architects, and urban planners. In turn, these experiences sharpen students' purpose and calling to play a major role in the future economic development and forward progress of their home communities. This is the true benefit of immersive education.