University Spotlight
Purdue Global Learning Assistant coming January 31
After successfully completing a rigorous twelve-week testing period that included both course-specific components and safety considerations, the Purdue Global Learning Assistant (PGLA) version 1.0 will officially debut on January 31, 2024. Students in specific sections of CM107, MT140, CJ100, and ED720 in the 2401C term will be the first to access the Purdue Global Learning Assistant.
The Purdue Global Learning Assistant is one of the first-ever AI-powered conversational interfaces embedded in a higher education learning environment. It’s a 24/7 virtual assistant that will supplement classroom learning, provide real-time feedback, and provide a connection to Purdue Global services. It can assist students with questions about the syllabus, grading, course policies, course navigation, and discussion board requirements.
Purdue Global is collaborating with its initial group of student users to act as development partners by sharing their real-time feedback on the messages generated by the PGLA tool. New features, including citation assistance, are already being planned for version 1.1 and beyond. Feedback from students and users will help Purdue Global prioritize future improvements to the PGLA.
For more information about using the Purdue Global Learning Assistant, please visit the Brightspace Student Guide.
PG News and Updates
Reminder: Final Week for General Education Conference Proposals
This is the FINAL WEEK to submit a proposal for the 2024 Virtual General Education Conference. Click here for more details and to officially submit a proposal. All proposals must be submitted by Thursday, February 1, 2024. Email gvirtualconference@purdueglobal.edu with questions.
All Purdue Global faculty, administration, and support staff are invited to collaborate with colleagues to demonstrate innovations that help us grow, share ways that you motivate students to propel them toward graduation, or showcase how your research supports academic reputation!
Next Purdue Board of Trustees Meeting is February 2
The next Purdue Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Friday, February 2. The purpose of these meetings is to allow the Board and its committees to deliberate and take action on university business and to receive reports from university leaders who have been scheduled on the agenda. If you wish to attend the meeting virtually, please visit the Board of Trustees page on the Purdue website to access the livestream.
Across the University
Black History Month Guest Speaker - Adam Harris
OCIE is thrilled to introduce Adam Harris, staff writer for The Atlantic magazine and author of The State Must Provide, as the keynote speaker for Black History Month 2024. Mr. Harris’ book details the history of black higher education in America and sets out a path toward a more equitable system for all. Reading the book prior to the presentation is suggested but not required.
Mr. Harris will speak on Thursday, February 29, at 1:00 pm ET. Zoom registration is required for the event.
Additional information about Adam Harris, as well as more Black History Month events and resources can be found on the OCIE website.
Purdue Global, Ivy Tech Expand Collaboration Efforts to Strengthen Partnership
Creating a supportive adult student experience and continuing to build on the success of an updated Pathways Partnership with the goal of a stronger Indiana workforce were the themes of an Oct. 27 summit hosted by Purdue Global and Ivy Tech Community College.
During the sessions, Purdue Global Chancellor Frank Dooley and Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann highlighted the “transfer of trust” that exists throughout this collective effort to serve the 2 million adult learners in Indiana working their way toward completing a degree.
“You get the best work when you trust the other person, and there’s a richness to our partnership,” said Dooley. “President Ellspermann and I work together to bring other groups to share ideas and build on that collaboration and move them forward.” Read more about the Pathways Partnership.
Minaise Sisters on the Journey of a Lifetime, Together at Purdue Global
“There’s 12 of us. We have three older siblings and five younger ones.”
Those are the words of sisters Cynthia, Jessica, MargaretEllen and Mary Minaise as they talk about living, working and taking college courses through Purdue Global together from their home in Oregon.
The decision by Cynthia, Jessica, MargaretEllen and Mary to attend Purdue Global together is a way to not only grow the family business but also support each other through the adventure of college studies. Read more about the Minaise sisters.
Student Success Coaching Caregiver Group Presentation
The webinar aims to help us improve outcomes and reduce equity gaps for student parents, bring about lasting and positive changes in the education system, support student parents in their academic journey, and learn practical tips for staff and faculty on assisting student parents. During the webinar, Jennifer Pocai, Program Manager from Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Postsecondary Success for Parents Initiative, will share data on who student parents are and why better supporting them will increase postsecondary outcomes and decrease equity gaps. Learn more and register to attend.
Join the Purdue Global Ambassadors in The Challenge 5K: #HammerDownCancer
The Purdue University Office of Special Events invites us to take our next giant leap by participating in The Challenge 5K to support the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. The Purdue Global Ambassadors have created a virtual team, so Purdue Global employees can participate from anywhere and support the cause together. This activity will continue now and throughout the month of April.
How to participate:
Register and join the Purdue Global Ambassadors Team; the cost is $35
Complete 5K (YOUR way: walk, run, or other exercise), and this form
Post a picture on the 5K Padlet
Registration includes a 2024 Challenge 5K T-shirt. *Cancer survivors may receive a 'SURVIVOR' T-shirt by selecting the corresponding option upon registration. In order to be sent a T-shirt, you must register by April 1, 2024.
More details about joining the Purdue Global Ambassadors’ 5K team can be found on the Purdue Global Ambassadors site. Information about the 2024 Challenge 5K on April 13 event can be found here. Send questions about joining the Ambassadors’ 5K team to pgambassadors@purdueglobal.edu.
From Scratch to Short Film: Applying LinkedIn Learning to Personal and Professional Goals
Join us for a movie screening! Paige Erickson, a full-time faculty in Humanities and Social Sciences, will show her first short film, “Trades.” After the film, Paige will discuss how a LinkedIn Learning Course helped her tackle this creative project, explore the use of video in her classroom, and build camaraderie with students over lifelong learning. The event will offer faculty ways to use LinkedIn Learning resources to unite personal and professional goals.
Join the session here on Monday, January 29, at 12:00 pm ET.
Ambassadors - Birthday Celebration Team
Do you like to celebrate your birthday? The Purdue Global Ambassadors want to celebrate with you! Sign up by completing the birthday form to receive a birthday email for the month of your birthday. A random monthly winner will be drawn live at each Live Monthly Birthday Drawing. For example, September birthdays will be entered in the September prize drawing. Birthday celebrations are brought to you by the Birthday Celebration team: Beth Lee, Carol Edwards-Walcott, and Laurie Hansen. All are welcome to join and celebrate! Check the Purdue Global calendar for details. All are welcome!
The Right School at the Right Time - A Note From GetSet
Check out this week's post from GetSet, a student-facing virtual community where our students can network, interact, and support one another. This is a great example of our students' hopes, dreams, and a reminder of why we do what we do.
Upcoming Events
Check out more information about upcoming events on the Purdue Global Calendar.
Monday, January 29
11:00 am ET
Join this Purdue Global-wide meditation session to help foster self-care to better serve your family, students, and colleagues. Meditation sessions are open to all at Purdue Global; experience is not required. Students may access the link to enter via announcements in PG411 Help! Student Success Connection.
12:00 pm ET
From Scratch to Short Film: Applying LinkedIn Learning to Personal and Professional Goals
Join us for a movie screening! Paige Erickson, full-time faculty in Humanities and Social Sciences, will show her first short film, “Trades.” After the film, Paige will discuss how a LinkedIn Learning Course helped her tackle this creative project, explore the use of video in her classroom, and build camaraderie with students over lifelong learning. The event will offer faculty ways to use LinkedIn Learning resources to unite personal and professional goals.
Tuesday, January 30
12:00 pm ET
Efficiency Unleashed: The Benefits of Automated Messaging using Intelligent Agents
Intelligent Agents (IAs) is a productivity tool available within Brightspace. IAs help to automate communication, including notifications and feedback to students. We will walk through the types of IAs available, demonstrate setup, and answer questions.
8:00 pm ET
Quarterly Connect & Discover is open to all Purdue Global employees across the university. These informal meetings, hosted by the Purdue Global Ambassadors*, will connect employees to each other and resources, activities, and areas of engagement. Registration is required; the deadline is noon ET the day before the meeting. A link to the meeting will be shared after registration.
Wednesday, January 31
12:00 pm ET
Verse & Vision: Nurturing Creativity in Teaching & Well-being
Verse & Vision is a transformative professional development series inviting faculty and staff to explore the profound impact of creativity on teaching strategies and personal well-being. Each session offers a blend of collaborative workshops and dedicated writing time, empowering participants to harness their inner storytellers while nurturing teaching methods and fostering a balanced, creative life in education.
12:45 pm ET
Creating a Caring Campus: Strategies for Supporting Student Caregivers
The webinar aims to help us improve outcomes and reduce equity gaps for student parents, bring about lasting and positive changes in the education system, support student parents in their academic journey, and learn practical tips for staff and faculty on assisting student parents. During the webinar, Jennifer Pocai, Program Manager from Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Postsecondary Success for Parents Initiative, will share data on who student parents are and why better supporting them will increase postsecondary outcomes and decrease equity gaps. Learn more and register to attend.