University Spotlight
We Rally. Give Back During Purdue Day of Giving
Giving back has been a fundamental value for Purdue University since its founding in 1869. John Purdue—the university’s original philanthropist—donated land and thousands of dollars to help establish a land-grant institution that would educate the community, improve industries, and create world-changing leaders.
Purdue Global honors this legacy of philanthropy and considers it a responsibility to pay opportunities forward for generations to come. We are also proud of our tradition of excellence as we prepare current and future leaders and encourage our students’ persistent pursuits to build a better world.
We are incredibly grateful for the generous alumni, friends, and fans who make our giant leaps possible by supporting efforts like Purdue Day of Giving. Every donation creates opportunities, encourages innovation and explorations, and challenges Boilermakers to inspire those around us. That’s why we hope you rally behind all us here at Purdue Global with a gift this Purdue Day of Giving. Your support shows that you believe in us, our work, and our future.
PG News and Updates
Spring Clean Your Digital Space
Spring is upon us, and as we declutter our homes, we should also take time to declutter our digital space. A good digital spring cleaning can help keep your devices and information safe and secure year-round.
What is digital clutter?
Digital clutter is the accumulation of unnecessary or unused digital files, documents, emails, applications, and other digital assets that clutter up your digital devices and online accounts. Digital clutter causes or adds to the disorganization of your files, data, and digital devices. Some common examples of digital clutter include crowded email inboxes, devices using too much storage space for unused apps and pictures, and hundreds of files on your desktop. According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, we should declutter our digital workspace at least once a year.
Benefits of reducing digital clutter
Over time, your device becomes bogged down with unnecessary files and data, slowing its performance. Removing these unwanted files can optimize your devices and improve their speed and functionality.
Here are a few tips
Clean up your email inbox: Remove all spam, block junk emails, unsubscribe from outdated newsletters, and keep only the messages you need in your inbox. Additionally, delete all the old emails that you will never need again.
Clear your browser history and cache: Clearing your browser history and cache can help speed up your browser and free up storage space on your device.
Clean up your desktop: Your desktop can become a catchall for miscellaneous files, photos, and digital clutter. Avoid storing floating documents, downloads, or screenshots on your desktop. Consider adding a nightly or weekly cleanup to your routine if you have this tendency.
Clean up your download folder: Among all the folders on your computer, the Downloads folder likely takes the prize for being the most chaotic. Usually, anything you download or save from the internet gets automatically dumped into the Downloads folder.
Keeping your digital spaces clean and organized can make you more productive, help reduce stress, and keep your online stuff safe from hackers.
Be Aware and Be Alert. If you have any questions, email PGIT@purdueglobal.edu.
PGLA Continues in 2402C Term
We're pleased to announce that early access to the Purdue Global Learning Assistant (PGLA) is continuing in the 2402C term starting April 17. A strategic component of the future of learning at Purdue Global, the PGLA is an AI-powered conversational interface that students can engage with in selected sections of CJ100, CM107, ED720, and MT140. To interact with the PGLA, students in these sections can select the PGLA widget in their Brightspace class page.
Please read more about the PGLA in the Brightspace Student Guide. If you have any questions, please email Sam Weber at samuel.weber1@purdueglobal.edu or Carolyn Walsh carolyn.walsh@purdueglobal.edu.
Change to UMR Member Login Verification Process for Employees
UMR, UnitedHealthcare’s third-party administrator, is changing its HealthSafe ID login process for Purdue Global employees’ member portals and mobile apps by discontinuing the use of security questions to confirm the identity of registered users.
Effective April 10, members who currently use security questions for multifactor authentication will be prompted to switch to a phone-based method. This minor change will align the authentication process with common practice in user authentication for secure websites and provide the latest security protocols and digital user experiences. Learn more about this update.
Reminder: Register for 2024 GEC and Engage with Keynote
Don’t forget! Our 16th annual Purdue University Global School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies General Education Conference (GEC) begins soon. Registration remains open for the duration of the conference, which runs from April 23 - 25. Additionally, this year includes special Earth Day presentations on April 22nd. We would love for you to join us! This year, we have a special focus on our theme, Transitions.
Engage with Keynote Speaker
We are thrilled to announce a unique opportunity at The General Education Conference that you won't want to miss! This year, we are honored to welcome John Elder Robison as our Keynote Speaker. Mr. Robison, author of acclaimed works such as "Look Me in the Eye" and "Switched On," will be sharing insights from his life with undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome until the age of 40 and his transformative experiences with groundbreaking brain therapy.
As the Neurodiversity Scholar in Residence at the College of William and Mary, John Elder Robison has made significant contributions to neurodiversity education and is at the forefront of discussions on the ethical and legal aspects of autism therapy. His commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with autism through education and advocacy has made him a leading voice in the autism community.
As part of his keynote address, Mr. Robison invites questions from you, our attendees. This is your chance to engage directly with a pioneer in neurodiversity on topics you care about most. Given the anticipated volume of interest, we encourage you to submit your questions early through this question submission form.
Please note that due to the expected high volume of questions, we may be unable to address all submissions during the session. However, we are committed to ensuring a robust and enlightening dialogue, so we urge you to take advantage of this chance to participate.
Please join us for a series of thought-provoking sessions to share ideas, collaborate, and connect across institutions. We look forward to having you as our guest! Click here to visit our conference site for additional details.
Zoom Application Updates
On April 15, 2024, the Zoom desktop app will have an update. The update includes a visual refresh, changes to the in-meeting toolbar, multi-speaker view, and multi-share. Purdue Global Zoom users will need to update the app for the changes to take effect.
Faculty and Staff Can Now Book Flights From Purdue Airport to Chicago O’Hare
Commercial air service is returning to the West Lafayette/Purdue University Airport for the first time since 2004, and ticket sales recently opened for flights starting May 15.
Faculty and staff who will be traveling for Purdue business should book through Concur or AAA Corporate Travel, the university’s travel agent. A quick reference guide is available to assist with booking.
As the local connection to the world, 24 weekly round-trip flights from West Lafayette (LAF) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and over 240 connecting destinations are available. Learn more about these options.
Across the University
Stanley Self Honored with 2024 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award
Stanley Self, Professor of Accounting at Purdue Global, has been recognized as a distinguished recipient of the 2024 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon educators who demonstrate outstanding teaching prowess within the academic realm. Read more about this honor. Congratulations, Stanley!
Faculty Election Nomination Survey
The 2024 Faculty Governance Nomination Survey is now available. It will be open through Friday, April 19. If you are interested in serving on a governance committee, please take a moment to nominate yourself. You may also nominate a peer who you feel would be a good representative for your school. More information can be found on the Academic Governance Website. Questions can be sent to Jackie Ward at governance@purdueglobal.edu.
Purdue Global Ambassadors March Madness Winners
WOW! That was exciting! Thanks to all who joined the Purdue Global Ambassadors for Women’s and Men’s March Madness Brackets! Congratulations to all our winners who will receive gift cards – $25 for first place, $15 for second place, and $10 for third place. Congratulations, winners!
Each spring, the Purdue Global Ambassadors invite you to register for March Madness brackets for a chance to win! Visit the Purdue Global Ambassadors site or email pgambassaors@purdueglobal.edu with questions. We hope you join us next year!
Women’s Bracket
1st: Jessica Manning, Sr. Manager, Immersive Learning
2nd: Adam Bartels, External Communications Specialist
3rd: Barry Regan, MaPS Faculty
Men’s Bracket
1st: Peter Lombardo, Curriculum Specialist
2nd: Steve Bracci, Professor of Law
3rd: Alexis Somers, SBS Graduate Psychology Faculty
Meet Professor Ginger Cameron: ‘Why I Teach Public Health’
I’ve wanted to be a teacher my whole life. I grew up in poverty, and my parents taught me from the day I was born that education is the way out. I knew the magic of education, and I wanted to be a part of it.
I also liked to read, so for the longest time I thought I’d teach English literature. But I loved medicine and public health, too. I especially love disease. I could completely geek out on this. I know that’s a weird thing to say, but the history of it is amazing. Wars have been won or lost because of infectious diseases. The United States got the Panama Canal contract when France was hit hard by malaria and yellow fever. The idea that the whole course of human history can be changed by something so small you can’t even see it — it’s fascinating. Read more about Ginger.
Ambassadors Quarterly Connect & Discover April 16
Quarterly Connect & Discover is open to all Purdue Global employees. These informal meetings, hosted by the Purdue Global Ambassadors will serve to connect employees to each other and resources, activities, and areas of engagement. Registration is required. We look forward to seeing you on April 16, 2024, at 8:00 pm ET.
Reminder: Registration 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.
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.
Tuesday, April 16
2:30 pm ET
Zooming In on Polls: A Guide to Basic Zoom Polling Features
Join this interactive session about using polls in Zoom for course seminars at Purdue Global.
Tuesday, April 16 - Thursday, April 18
The Center for Teaching and Learning is proud to sponsor registrations for the 2024 TCC Online Conference. Registration is available, and all Purdue Global employees are welcome to attend.