Meet Raigan Balmer '29

05/15/2026

President’s Ambassadors provide campus tours to prospective students, sit on student panels at admissions events, greet special campus guests, and engage with alumni and donors at special events.

Raigan Balmer

Major: P-5 education and K-12 intervention specialist
Hometown: Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.
Graduation year: 2029

Why did you choose Bluffton?

I chose Bluffton because ever since I stepped foot on this campus when I was 10 years old for a cheer camp, I knew this is where I was going to end up. The campus felt like home instantly. Everything about this campus felt right. There are so many opportunities for me not to only get my degree to achieve my goals, but also to grow into the person I want to become for my future.

Why did you choose your major? Are your classes helpful?

I chose my major because helping kids has always come naturally to me. I have two sisters: one older and one younger. Being a leader has always came naturally for me because my little siter looked up to me like no one else in this world. I’ve always been surrounded by kids so I knew my career would have something to do with kids. I also know how certain teachers affected me growing up and I wanted to be like them. I want to create a safe place for kids who don’t have that and I also want to be a part of the change the future generations deserve.

My classes here at Bluffton have done nothing but be helpful. I was immediately put into the field first semester, and I very strongly believe that opportunity should be given to all first-year education majors. By the second day of going, I knew right then that I was in the right place going down the right path. My other classes have also really helped me open my eyes to how much a future educator needs to know in order to set their students up for success.

What type of job do you want following graduation? What are your career goals?

I would absolutely love to become an elementary school teacher in a school that isn’t too far from my family, is in a good community, has good academics, and is safe for my future kids to possibly go to as well. I want to teach early elementary students and becoming a high school cheer coach has always been a thought. I would also love to further my education by getting my master’s degree in teaching through Bluffton’s graduate program.

Tell us about Bluffton’s faculty, staff, and coaches. Are they helping you reach your goals?

The teachers at Bluffton have all made me feel supported, seen, and heard even when I am really struggling with things inside or outside of the classroom. The end of first semester and beginning of second semester have been really hard on me due to some family stuff going on and all of my teachers have made sure that I know I’m not alone and I can talk to them always. Evan Skilliter always goes out of his way to say “Hi Raigan” or just check in on me in general. They are all super willing to work with us students because they want to see us not just succeed but succeed with flying colors. The teachers here all try to get to know their students on a personal bases and I really think that helps us feel like we are capable of being good students and people do want to see us succeed even if we are struggling right now.

What student organizations are you part of? Why is it important for you to be active on campus?

Right now, I am not in any organizations except for BEO. I didn’t want to overload my plate as a freshman during first semester, but I am trying to get more involved around campus. I will also be an RA next year, so I am excited to have the opportunity to have floor events, different bulletin boards, and get the opportunity to create a safe place for the people that live on my floor. Along with being an RA, I plan on becoming a mentor for the freshman BaS classes because that class served a really big purpose during my first semester and I would like to be able to do the same for incoming students. I am also hoping that I can get more involved around campus because I strongly believe you get out what you put in. I love Bluffton and I want to be able to make an impact here for myself and other students. Staying involved helps to keep my mind going and not slip into a place of hating my life because of how bored I am. Staying involved also helps other people get involved because they will see that they aren’t alone and it’s okay to branch out.

Have you completed an internship or other hands-on learning experience? Tell us about it and what you learned from that experience.

I currently work at a church in Bluffton watching two special needs boys while their parents are at Bible study. Working with them I have learned to take a step back and think about how to better handle situations at a level that they understand. I also did my early field experience at Elida Elementary School. There I learned things about classroom management, how curriculum works, how to help other teachers, and how to deal with their emotions when they don’t even know how to handle them themselves.

Is there anything else about being a student at Bluffton that you would like to share?

Bluffton isn’t just about academics. Bluffton gives you the opportunity to grow into someone you can be proud of. There are so many resources given to you the second you step foot on this campus that you are never alone. Get involved in things, say hi to everyone, make new friends, do things that maybe make you uncomfortable. The biggest thing I have learned over the course of my freshman year is the fact that being uncomfortable means you are giving yourself the opportunity to grow. Growing isn’t easy, but here at Bluffton, you have a village surrounding your growth.