Cindy Cooper is our new curriculum specialist in the School of General Education! Prior to joining Purdue Global, she was an instructional designer at Eastern Kentucky University, where she focused on new course developments, redevelopments, course maintenance, and course quality. 

Cindy's background includes leading student recruitment, success, and retention efforts, including the development of non-credit student success programs for Western Kentucky University Online, course quality initiatives (Columbia College Online), and the development and maintenance of professional and non-credit programs (Colorado State University Online). Cindy holds an M.A.E. in Adult Education and a bachelor's in sociology from WKU.

She states "My lifelong passion has been helping adult learners succeed by providing pathways for an improved quality of life and new employment opportunities. After spending several years working in success and retention, which involved the development of non-credit courses, I decided to transition to instructional design. I enjoy the evolving landscape of the ID field, as it challenges me to learn new things daily. I also know that the work we do has a direct impact on the learning experience, which I find very rewarding.

On a more personal note, I grew up near Mammoth Cave National Park where I learned to love hiking and all things outdoors. In my spare time, I like taking my dogs with me on hikes, cooking out, playing trivia, and taking weekend road trips!" 

Several SoGE professors met in Anaheim, CA, for PG's 2023 February commencement. Mark Burlingame (Past Faculty Senate President and FT English and Rhetoric Faculty), Beth Lee (FT English and Rhetoric), Paige Erickson (FT Humanities), and Jani Pearson (FT English and Rhetoric) were thrilled to meet in person after working together remotely for close to (and in some cases well over) a decade. The experience of connecting on myriad literary and academic themes was shared by dozens of other professors and leaders from Purdue Global and Concord Law. The two-day event began with a series of discussions between faculty and deans, was punctuated by nearly 1,000 Purdue Global students turning their tassels to the left, and closed with inspiring words from the professors who founded Concord–the world’s first fully online law school–25 years ago. 

To begin the event on Friday, Faculty Focus Groups connected professors from across the university to learn about departmental differences and address common concerns. Faculty were asked to weigh in on policy changes and university innovations that could boost their efforts in student success; the effectiveness of faculty and advisor collaboration; the value of LinkedIn Learning, availability of discipline-specific GOK programs and other means of professional development; and ways in which PG could improve the faculty experience.

After the forums, the SoGe group headed to the City National Grove of Anaheim for the festive Black and Gold event where faculty chatted with graduates, many of whom were dressed in black-and-gold themed attire. PG sponsored a signature margarita, tasty finger foods, and a gold-and-black adorned photo booth. SoGe faculty engaged their graduates in lively conversations on the work they had put into their studies and their plans for the future. Hearing the stories of these determined students who work full-time, serve in the military, and care for young children was inspiring. 

Friday night ended with a formal, cordial dinner to honor our more than 9,000 active and veteran military students. Faculty, administrators, students, and their families were seated together and treated to a lovely national anthem from Alina Smith, Master of Health Information Management. Mike Pouraryan, Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and IT and a Sergeant (E-5) in the California State Guard, opened with a solemn dedication to our service members. Eileen Cabale, Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology, spoke with humor and gratitude for her father’s service in the U.S. Navy. The first event of its kind at PG, the dinner was a great chance for guests to share different perspectives from their military, academic, and family lives.

On Saturday, two graduation ceremonies highlighted the discipline, effort, and sacrifice of our students. The ceremonies were kicked off by Concord graduate Dolan M. Williams, founder of a respected San Diego law office and a return speaker for Purdue Global. His story of finding success in helping others affirms the top answer our students give when asked why they travel to attend graduation: to meet their classmates and professors in person. For the SoGe faculty who were attending for the first time, seeing their students light up as they shook hands with Chancellor Dooley and were cheered on by their families and friends was beyond encouraging. Meeting their family and friends and hearing student stories of persistence renews one’s sense of purpose as an instructor. We hope you can make it to the next university function! 

 Read about how Concord celebrated its anniversary.

Nikki Williams, Assistant Department Chair for the School of General Education, was awarded the William G. White Graduate Scholarship from the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS). This award is given to a NOSS member who is pursuing a doctoral degree, and promotes graduate study in developmental education in order to advance research and practice in the field. This award was presented at the 47th Annual Conference for the National Organization for Student Success, and the Purdue Global community celebrates Nikki’s incredible achievement and distinction. 

Do you have a best practice or tip you'd like to share?  Feel free to email your department chair or fill out the GenEd Digest Spotlight Form found on the homepage!