University Spotlight
Registration for 16th Annual Virtual GEC is Now Open
The General Education Conference (GEC) offers Purdue University Global faculty, staff, and administrators the opportunity to discuss and learn about the importance of General Education topics for students across the University. The conference is designed to draw in faculty, staff, and administrators from across the University to develop a conference focused on the School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies mission: to support areas of knowledge that comprise students' educational foundation.
This year’s conference takes place April 23rd - 25th, with bonus Earth Day presentations on April 22nd. This year's theme, Transitions, supports our transition from the School of General Education (SOGE) to the School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies (MaPS) while acknowledging the consistently transitional landscape of education. By embracing adaptability and growth, fundamental elements of Purdue University Global's philosophy, this theme aligns perfectly with our mission, vision, and purpose. It underscores our commitment to offering personalized, flexible education tailored to the unique needs of adult learners, showcasing our dedication to their continuous development and success.
Faculty, staff, and administrators are all invited to join us for an enriching experience of learning and dialogue. Together, we'll explore the significance of general education topics, delving into how they intersect with our students' needs and our overarching mission. This is a unique opportunity for everyone in our community to come together and engage in meaningful discussions that highlight the value of general education in shaping well-rounded, informed individuals.
Questions? Email gvirtualconference@purdueglobal.edu.
We recommend registering early and placing the dates on your calendar. There are some fantastic presentations you will want to attend. Your attendance is an important part of the conference experience.
Remember, you can also attend via phone or tablet. Watch our conference site for an updated schedule.
We look forward to seeing you there!
PG News and Updates
In Memory of Dr. Dana Leland
It is with great sadness to share that Dr. Dana Leland passed away on March 12 due to injuries suffered in a February 22 car accident. Dana was a life-long Texan and a huge San Antonio Spurs fan. She gave many hours volunteering in her community. Most importantly, she was the mother of four children – a teenage son, twin boys, and a young daughter.
Dana joined our team June of 2022 as an adjunct professor and was promoted to full-time faculty in July 2023. In her short tenure with Purdue Global she made a huge impact on our department and with our finance students. Dana was always a bright light of energy and purpose who sought ways for our students to learn, grow, and succeed. Most recently she was working with the SBIT Newsletter with a segment focus on finance student success and professional goals.
Her positive, can-do attitude was contagious for all who knew her. She taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in finance. Her drive for lifelong learning propelled her to earn four certifications in the past six months: Private Equity Certification, Corporate Finance Certification, Principles of Sustainable Finance certificate, and Innovative Finance certificate. In addition, when she learned of the need for economics instructors, she enrolled in a Master of Economics program and had only three courses remaining.
Dana will be greatly missed at Purdue Global, but we are confident that her spirit will live on through the many students who learned from her during her time with us.
Across the University
Purdue Global Student Says ‘This Comeback Is For All Of Us'
Business administration major Alejandra Palma’s dream honors her family.
Alejandra Palma (BS Business Administration) says the part of her childhood in Chile that serves as her ultimate North Star is the evening walks she used to take with the love of her life — her dad. Every night, they used to catch the views of the city and talk.
“The first years of my life, it was just me and my father,” she says. “He had to work a lot, so at night after dinner, he took my hand and we walked to a viewpoint where we could see the city. It was our ritual before going to sleep.” Read more about Alejandra's comeback.
Inaugural Rainbow Recognition Ceremony 2024
We are thrilled to announce the first-ever Rainbow Recognition Ceremony hosted by the Pride@Purdue Global Employee Resource Group.
Please join us in celebrating and providing recognition for the achievements of graduating LGBTQIA2S+ students (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two Spirit) at Purdue Global.
The virtual Rainbow Recognition Ceremony will occur on Monday, April 29th at 7:00 - 7:45 pm ET. Please register in advance.
We invite all graduating students, faculty, staff, family, and friends to join us for this momentous occasion. The ceremony will celebrate the successes and contributions of the LGBTQIA2S+ community at Purdue Global.
All members of the Purdue Global community are invited to nominate fellow graduates, faculty, and staff.
To register for the event and submit an award nomination, please complete the registration and awards form by Monday, April 1st, 2024. Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged! If you have any questions or need to follow up with any information, please email us at SVelky@purdueglobal.edu.
We look forward to seeing you there!
My Degree from Purdue Global Gave Me the Confidence I Needed
Desiré Hunter says her master’s degree in psychology showed her she was capable of so much more.
When Desiré Hunter (MS Industrial/Organizational Psychology, ’21) began entertaining the idea of going back to school, she was in a Target parking lot, waiting for her kids while they shopped. She pulled out her phone, Googled online psychology degrees and found a handful of options. She tapped the first phone number on the list. The person on the other end answered with something rather surprising. Learn more about Desiré's Purdue Global journey.
MaPS Pi Day Contest Winners
The School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies (MaPS) hosted their annual Pi Day contest. This year, they tried something new – a Pilish contest. Pilish is a constrained form of writing using the digits of Pi to determine how many letters are in each consecutive word. Several School of MaPS faculty and staff members let their creative juices flow! Read the winning submissions. Congrats to the winners! Each winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, and will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Gauge Literary Journal.
Don’t Miss the Deadline! Join the Purdue Global Ambassadors Challenge 5K Team
The deadline to join the Purdue Global Ambassadors Challenge 5K Team and receive a t-shirt is April 1, 2024.
Registration costs $35.00 plus a $4.44 processing fee ($39.44 total) and includes a CHALLENGE 5K cotton T-shirt.
Cancer 'SURVIVOR' T-shirts are available. The 5K is done on your own time and choice of exercise using the honor system. We will also share pictures on a Padlet.
How to participate:
Each participant can register and join the Purdue Global Ambassadors Team
Complete the 5K and this form
Post a picture on the 5K Padlet
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 to pgambassadors@purdueglobal.edu.
You Got This! - 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 18
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
Customize Your Brightspace Course
This training session will provide an overview of the instructor's create and edit permissions in Brightspace. The permissions provide faculty the ability to customize content modules/items and discussion forums/topics. The permissions are a part of the Classroom of the Future Purdue Global Move. The change will empower faculty with new ways to support student success in their Brightspace classrooms. Students will benefit from the added perspective of faculty expertise shared within unique content items and discussion topics in their classes.
Thursday, March 21
10:00 am ET
Join this informative session about the basics of using Zoom for course seminars at Purdue Global.