Caitlin (she, her) is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master of Science in Higher Education-Student Affairs.  While an undergraduate, she was the vocalist for the Purdue Jazz Band and Purdue Jazz Combo. Caitlin was honored to receive the Sudler Prize for the Arts as representative of her time in Purdue Bands & Orchestras.

Caitlin joined the Purdue Bands & Orchestras staff in 2017 as Recruitment and Communications Specialist and transformed the department’s social media presence – growing the main Instagram account from 1,000 to 10,000+ followers through authentic and engaging content. Additionally, she facilitated the creation and growth of 15+ student-led social media accounts, which she moderates and collaborates with weekly. Today, she also manages a PBO Social Media Ambassador – allowing students to experience part time work in content creation and marketing.

Through her steadfast focus on the recruitment experience, she has helped grow department enrollment from 900+ students to 1,300+ students and takes pride in having grown both the jazz and orchestra programs substantially. In 2021, Caitlin became Manager of Recruitment and Student Success – allowing her an even greater focus on the Purdue Bands & Orchestras student experience from recruitment to graduation. Caitlin now travels throughout the country in partnership with Purdue Regional Recruiters and presents regularly to high school band and orchestra programs nationwide.

In 2022, her focus on student success led to the development of the “Indoor Ensembles Transition Weekend Experience” – a program designed specifically for students who are cut from the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band at the end of Band Camp. By coming alongside these students and engaging them in a weekend of targeted activities, indoor ensemble retention and student involvement continues to grow each year. Caitlin was invited to present the results of this program at Purdue’s 2023 Steps to Leaps Symposium and was awarded a Purdue Student Life recognition for “Excellence in Program Creation” in 2024.

Caitlin serves as an instructor of the Purdue Bands & Orchestras – First Year Engineering Learning Community and is developing an LGBTQ+ Learning Community for first year PBO students which will launch in the Fall 2025 semester.

In her free time, Caitlin is revising her second novel and is active in the local arts community. She is the vocalist for Lafayette’s Big Swing Band and performs regularly with Civic Theater of Greater Lafayette. Caitlin is a member of the board and public relations committee chair for the Lafayette Citizens Band. She and her partner Caleb Benner, who she performed with in the Purdue Jazz Band, live in West Lafayette with their fearsome cat Giselle.