University Spotlight
Meet Professor Josef Vice: Why Your Success Matters
He’s devoted his life to providing students with the safety, support, and odds for success that he didn’t have.
Raised in rural Alabama, Purdue Global English and rhetoric professor Josef Vice says if he can make a comeback, so can other working adults.
I fully believe that writing is putting yourself on a page. It’s vulnerable. A lot of students don’t want to do it. But if they can see they have something worth sharing, they can see they have something worth hearing.
One of the things I do to help students build confidence is talk about challenges. Lately, I’ve been telling them about my doctoral degree. I completed all my coursework in 1987, but my dissertation never got off the ground. I wanted to write about something relevant to LGBTQ+ issues. I knew that wasn’t of much academic interest at the time, so I proposed writing about the concept of “the outsider” in medieval literature. I was looking at Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” — some characters have less binary gender and sexual identities, so maybe there was something there. I was shot down immediately.
At the same time, I was very involved in petitioning the university to allow us to create a student LGBTQ+ group. To rally support, I came out in a letter published in the school newspaper. I argued for equality: We’re your friends. Your family. Your teachers. Read more about Josef.
PG News and Updates
Register for the Next Global Chat with Chancellor Dooley
In these informal meetings, faculty and staff engage with the Chancellor or Provost in Google Meet. The Thursday, March 14, 1:00 pm ET Global Chat will be with Chancellor Dooley. Register here by Tuesday, March 12.
Global Chats were created in response to feedback from a Purdue Global Town Hall. They were primarily designed to allow employees to get to know the Chancellor and Provost, as well as each other, and they have welcomed more than 200 employees since October 2020.
These meetings are casual, interactive, and open to all Purdue Global employees. Topics vary; participants typically learn about new initiatives, exchange ideas, and connect with colleagues across the university. Participants may also have the opportunity to ask questions of the Chancellor and Provost. Bring your questions and ideas! Casual business attire and webcam capability are strongly encouraged—email comm@purdueglobal.edu with any questions.
PGLA Fast Facts as of March 8, 2024
Weekly update regarding the usage and engagement of the Purdue Global Learning Assistant (PGLA).
Purdue Global Attends CMTE Conference
As part of its commitment to helping active duty military, veterans, and military spouses achieve their educational and professional goals, Purdue Global attended the Council on Military Transition to Education (CMTE) conference on March 5 - 6, hosted by Purdue University and organized by Kelvin Gumbs, U.S. Navy veteran and Executive Director for Educational Partnerships in Purdue’s Office of Industry Partnerships.
The council is a consortium of select higher-education institutions that provides recommendations to the Department of Defense and other organizations on policies and practices related to military service members and veterans in higher education. Read more about the conference.
Across the University
Lindsey Engelken Receives DAISY Award
Purdue Global Nursing instructor Lindsey Engelken, BSN, RN, recently received The DAISY Foundation's Award for Extraordinary Nurses! The DAISY Award® is a special honor given to extraordinary nurses for the compassionate contributions they make every day going above and beyond expectations in science and sensitivity. Congratulations, Lindsey!
Celebrate National Nutrition Month March 2024
National Nutrition Month ® is an annual event sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The 2024 theme is “Beyond the Table.” This year’s celebration is looking at what and how we eat away from the traditional table and the farm-to-fork aspects of nutrition.
Are you interested in learning more about adaptogens and their impact on well-being? How technology and societal expectations have impacted family meals? Or the science behind nutrition and bodybuilding? Then join the Purdue Global ASC Science Center and MaPS Science Department for a variety of activities during the month of March, including presentations on these thought-provoking nutrition topics.
Check out the website for more information on these presentations and other nutrition resources.
Women in the Justice System Discussion
You are invited to attend a roundtable discussion about women in the justice system on Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 pm ET. The panel will feature six professionals currently employed in the field from a variety of backgrounds, sharing their experiences and wisdom with students, faculty, and staff. All are welcome! Registration is required for this special Zoom opportunity. Sponsored by Alpha Phi Sigma and partnering clubs.
Faculty Senate Meeting Recap
The Faculty Senate met on February 7, 2024, and the following items were discussed:
University Updates with Interim Provost Carolyn Nordstrom
Follow-up: Portfolio Assessment Response
Student Success Coaching & GetSet
2024 Faculty Credential Guide
Faculty Question: Seminar Schedule
All Faculty Meeting Summary
The meeting minutes and more information about the senate can be found on the Faculty Senate Website.
Global Indigenous ERG Monthly Meeting
Please join the Global Indigenous ERG on March 12th at 3:30 pm ET for their monthly meeting. Topics that will be discussed will be based on what it means to be an Indigenous person, explore allyship, and global Indigenous perspectives. There will be opportunities to share, learn, and discover opportunities for involvement. This session will be held via Google Meet.
Participate in March Madness 2024, Sponsored by Purdue Global Ambassadors
Join the Purdue Global Ambassadors for March Madness. Women’s and Men’s March Madness Brackets will be available this year in RunYourPool.
The NCAA March Madness Bracket is a single-elimination tournament played each spring. Each season, Purdue Global Ambassadors invite you to register to play and win!
How to Participate
If you have not previously participated
If you participated in 2023
Choose your brackets starting Sunday, March 17, at 8:00 pm ET for a chance to win prizes. The deadline to pick is Thursday, March 21, at 12:15 pm ET. Prizes for first, second, and third place will be awarded for women's and men's brackets.
Email pgambassadors@purdueglobal.edu for questions about March Madness and other engagement opportunities or to join the Purdue Global Ambassadors.
Student Spotlight - Dajae Ajayi
Dajae Ajayi graduated in May 2023 with her Associate of Applied Science in Human Services.
Dajae shares that she experienced a long and tough educational journey. She went to Illinois State University right out of high school and spent five years there. She shares that she struggled academically and emotionally. She always knew that she wanted to return to school for her degree but was afraid to start school again because she knew she would procrastinate and she had already spent so much time trying to get a degree. She heard about Purdue Global and decided to give it a try. Learn more about Dajae.
Feeling Overwhelmed - 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 and 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, March 11
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.
Wednesday, March 13
1:30 pm ET
Streamlining Grading with a Time-Saving Tool: Quick Eval in Brightspace
Quick Eval is a Brightspace tool that allows instructors to see a list of unevaluated learner submissions. Attend this session to learn more about the Quick Eval tool and how you can use it in your grading routine.