The Center for Teaching and Learning at Purdue University Global is proud to present our 17th annual professional development conference on November 4 - 8, 2024. 

Lifelong Learning: Inspiring a Culture of Inclusion, Wonder, and Relentless Curiosity

PGV 2024 Theme Winner

Congratulations to Dr. Ingrid Bradley, a faculty member in the School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies, for submitting the winning Purdue Global Village 2024 theme, Lifelong Learning: Inspiring a Culture of Inclusion, Wonder, and Relentless Curiosity.

When asked to explain more about the theme idea, Dr. Bradley shared, “I felt that we are at a place, in time, on this earth where it would inspire me, and perhaps others, to embody something essentially human: curiosity, wonder, and imagination and embrace the ultimately positive human sensitivity toward inclusion.”

Ingrid explained how the theme represents the conference by saying, “Higher education is about inspiring lifelong learning, thinking deeper, asking questions, and having answers fuel even more questions. A totally human quality is imagination and the curiosities that fuel it. PG's essence is about cultivating the human spirit, the human intellect, and imagining personal, professional, and academic possibilities. All of this takes imagination and I think PG is the most imaginative of institutions in this country. I like to think that PG “cultivates” lifelong learners among its faculty and students.”

We asked Dr. Bradley what she enjoys most about working at Purdue Global. She shared, “There’s a tenacity, boldness to everything PG does. There’s a certain point in one’s career where expanding on all the education and work experience is personally gratifying. PG encourages those spaces to develop serendipitously. 

Dr. Bradley also shared, “When I was suffering through Air Force officer field & survival training, our leader asked to meet all the women at the base playground at the end of the day. Lieutenant Colonel Abbott gathered us around her and pointed to the nearby parking lot. “See those trailers over there?” We saw two horse trailers. “Those horses over there, in those trailers, are my life. My work is my hobby. Keep your priorities straight.” Ever since that moment, my work has been a hobby, and my life is surfing around the world, sailing, swimming, hiking, exploring, and helping nature find its place in a world where it’s not always welcome. Work for me is play for pay.”

Learn more about Dr. Ingrid Bradley. We thank Ingrid for submitting this inspiring theme as the focus of this year’s conference!