University Spotlight
Family, College, and Opportunity: Samantha’s Purdue Global Comeback
In her final term at Purdue Global, Samantha Tatman looks back on the past few years and says it’s an era she never saw coming. But knowing she’s created opportunities for her family has been everything to her.
Tatman went to community college after high school, but since she and her husband were starting a family, it was clear early on that she’d have to make some sacrifices. She decided she needed to take a break from higher education. “My husband was in an apprenticeship, and we just couldn’t do both at the same time,” she says.
As a young parent, she knew it was best for her family that she went straight into the workforce while her husband finished his apprenticeship. She thought that was the end of her educational journey.
But she was wrong. Read more about Samantha's comeback.
PG News and Updates
GEC Registration Now Open
Registration for the Purdue Global School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies General Education Conference (GEC) is now open. We eagerly anticipate your participation as our guest.
This event will take place from April 23 - 25, featuring special Earth Day presentations on Monday, April 22nd. Join us to exchange insights, foster collaboration, and build connections across institutions through stimulating sessions.
Click here to visit our conference site for additional details.
Featured Keynote Speaker:
John Elder Robison
Author of "Look Me in The Eye" & "Switched On"
John Elder Robison, who lived with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome until the age of 40, shares his remarkable journey in his new book, "Switched On." He recounts how a groundbreaking brain therapy unlocked his ability to empathize and understand others’ emotions, bringing to light his newfound emotional intelligence. As a prominent figure in the autism community, Robison encourages finding strengths in perceived weaknesses and has become a beacon of hope for many.
Currently serving as the Neurodiversity Scholar in Residence at the College of William and Mary, Robison is a pioneer in neurodiversity education and one of the initiators of the college's Neurodiversity Program, one of the first in a major American university. His work extends beyond teaching, as he is deeply engaged in discussions about the ethical and legal facets of autism therapy, aiming to enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families through education and advocacy.
Featured Presentations:
Stuart Collins, Kristin Early, Russell Fail, Julia Nyberg, Sean Doyle, Jahna Kahroff, and Ashley Williams: Purdue Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force: A Year in Review
Leslie Johnson, Tyra Hall-Pogar, Mya Fields, and Deb Page: Preparing for Transitions with the Chair Academy
Sam Weber and Kristen Early: PGLA Feature Design Process
Lightning sessions – A fast-paced series of images designed to engage and ignite new thinking from the audience
Sam Weber, Justin Dammeier, and Itzamar Reyes: Unveiling the AI Classroom: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities, and Bridging Equity Gaps in Higher Education
Tiffany Townsend: From Exclusion to Inclusion: Revolutionizing Higher Education
Men's Basketball Advance to National Championship
Purdue improved to 34 - 4 overall with a 63 - 50 win over eleventh-seed North Carolina State in the Final Four on Saturday. The Boilermakers will face one-seed UConn in the National Championship game on Monday, April 8, at 9:20 pm ET. Boiler up!
PGLA Fast Facts as of April 5, 2024
Weekly update regarding the usage and engagement of the Purdue Global Learning Assistant (PGLA).
Across the University
Purdue Global Presented at ACJS Conference
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) held its annual conference in Chicago, Illinois from March 19 - 23, 2024. Graduate professors Dr. Holli Vah Seliskar, Dr. Mary Lannon, and Dr. David White from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences represented Purdue University Global there, presenting on Friday and Saturday of the conference. Dr. Holli Vah Seliskar presented a session titled Writing an Edited Book? Lessons Learned as a Book Editor: Challenges and Opportunities, and Dr. Mary Lannon, Dr. Holli Vah Seliskar, and Dr. David White presented a session titled Fostering Resiliency and Independence in Students.
Deadline To Register for Rainbow Recognition Ceremony Extended
The deadline for registration and nominations for the Inaugural Rainbow Recognition Ceremony 2024 has been extended to Friday, April 26th.
The Pride@ Purdue Global Employee Resource Group is pleased to be hosting our first-ever Rainbow Recognition Ceremony. Register to join us for a celebration recognizing the achievements of graduating LGBTQIA2S+ students (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit) at Purdue Global on Monday, April 29th, from 7:00 - 7:45 pm ET. We invite all graduating students, faculty, staff, family, and friends to attend this momentous event. Please register in advance.
Additionally, we acknowledge contributions made by Purdue Global graduates, faculty, and staff to the LGBTQIA2S+ community. To achieve this goal, we need your nominations. Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 26th at 5:00 pm ET.
If you want to attend and make nominations, please use the Registration & Nomination Form.
If you cannot attend but would like to make a nomination, please use the Nominations Only Form.
If you have any questions or need to follow up with any information, please email us at SVelky@purdueglobal.edu.
Global Indigenous ERG April Meeting
Please join us for the Global Indigenous ERG (Employee Resource Group) April Meeting. We will discuss upcoming events, including the GEC, and engage in open discussions about allyship and inclusion. The meeting is April 9th at 3:30 pm ET.
Remembering Dr. Kalpana Chawla: A Tribute to Her Life and Legacy
On February 1, 2003, the world mourned the loss of Dr. Kalpana Chawla, an extraordinary Indian astronaut whose life was tragically cut short in the Columbia space shuttle disaster. Join us as Dr. Ritu Sharma pays tribute to Dr. Chawla's remarkable achievements, her contributions to space exploration, and the enduring legacy she leaves behind. This presentation is a heartfelt celebration of Dr. Chawla's indomitable spirit and dedication to pushing the boundaries of human exploration.
Presenter: Dr. Ritu Sharma
Date: Friday, April 12
Time: 3:00 PM EST
Meeting Link: meet.google.com/qtb-whnq-etm
Faculty Senate Meeting Recap
The Faculty Senate met on March 6, 2024, and the following items were discussed:
University Updates with Interim Provost Carolyn Nordstrom
Faculty Orientation
Curriculum Questions
2024 Faculty Feedback
Bylaws
The meeting minutes and more information about the senate can be found on the Faculty Senate Website.
New to Purdue Global - 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, April 8
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
Unpacking Microaggressions: A Conversation with Dr. Jitana Benton-Lee
Please join us for a special event hosted by the School of Nursing DEIB committee, a conversation with Dr. Jitana Benton-Lee, co-author of the insightful study "Microaggressions: Experiences of Diverse Graduate Nursing Students in Online Education."
Dr. Benton-Lee, Assistant Professor at Northern Kentucky University and Sigma Liaison to the United Nations, will join us for an engaging discussion on her research about the experiences of diverse online nursing students and microaggressions. We are deeply appreciative of Dr. Benton-Lee for sharing her time and insights, which have the potential to positively influence all our interactions with students and colleagues.
Faculty and staff members attending this event will have professional development time recorded through the CTL.