Brandon Million, once an hourly wage worker in a casino, transformed his life through education. On a New Year’s Eve shift in 2009, he decided he was no longer content with his path, and intended to enroll at Ivy Tech to further his education.

Starting with a GED, he moved onto an associate’s and bachelor’s degree. Now, he is on the brink of completing his doctorate in higher education administration from Ball State. “Statistically, it’s accurate. You know, being poor, being a non-traditional student, being first-generation, having different cognitive disabilities, being neurodivergent… being openly queer. Those are all things that are statistically telling me I shouldn’t be at the spot that I am at now. “So yeah, it is kind of like being one in a million.

During his journey, Million worked in several roles at Ball State. He finished his master’s degree in sociology, commenced his doctoral work, and got a position as the assistant director of the Office of Inclusive Excellence. In this role, he was part of a team that crafted the university’s first Inclusive Excellence Plan.

He played an integral role in conceptualizing strategies for this plan by researching over two dozen different models from all around the country. His unique personal life experiences and journey were instrumental in the work undertaken by the committee. His lived experiences helped the committee in formulating the right strategies for ensuring inclusivity at the university.

Million attributes his success to the mentors and guides who supported him throughout his journey, and he is now sharing his journey with others to inspire and motivate them. His story has become particularly essential in his work with students, where he aims to shed light on the possibilities of education and perseverance in overcoming life’s challenges.