Meet Our Team

Brady Alumbaugh

CRM Analyst

What I do: I help to oversee the technical functionality and processes of Slate. I develop technological solutions to better the university in recruitment and enrollment processes, with special focus on our application process and student portals.

Background: I graduated from Purdue University with an undergraduate degree in theatre design and production and a Master of Business Administration. I really enjoy problem-solving using technology in both traditional and non-traditional ways.

More about me: I grew up in Pendleton, Indiana. My hobbies include travel, my love for all things Disney and the large Christmas light and music display I program each year.

Anna Cartwright

Production Manager

What I do: I’m responsible for planning, executing and completing projects from start to finish for both communications and systems-related projects. I’m also the point person for our project management system.

Background: I graduated from Purdue University with a degree in industrial engineering and a minor in engineering leadership. My work experience includes both medical device and higher education organizations focused on systems and analytics. I’m passionate about improving processes to help make people’s lives better and organizations operate more efficiently.

More about me: In my free time I spend as much time as possible with family. My hobbies include hiking and exploring parks, reading and crochet.

Adam Castro

Web Developer

What I do: As web developer, I oversee creating and maintaining user-friendly websites and digital tools that enhance the student experience. I ensure that web applications are functional, accessible and visually appealing, aligning with Purdue’s branding and strategic goals. By collaborating with teams across departments, I contribute to projects that support prospective and current students on their educational journey.

Background: I have a strong background in web development. Before coming to Purdue, I worked at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the IT department. There, I focused on maintaining the university’s digital infrastructure and creating tools to improve accessibility and engagement. I’m passionate about web development because it allows me to have a meaningful impact on students’ lives by creating digital experiences that empower them to succeed.

More about me: My primary goal is to continue growing as a web developer, taking on more complex challenges and expanding my skill set. Outside of work, I’m a husband and father to a wonderful one-year-old daughter, and we live in San Antonio, Texas. I’m also a professional saxophonist and enjoy performing at local events across Texas.

Emily Collins

Communications Strategist

What I do: As a communications strategist, I partner with recruiters and communicators across campus to drive the success of Purdue University’s overall enrollment initiatives. My strategic efforts aid in identifying key messaging, audience segmentation and channel optimization to continue positioning Purdue as a top choice for prospective students, driving enrollment growth and advancing the university’s mission of accessible education.

Background: Growing up in West Lafayette, I’ve been a Boilermaker my whole life, and after graduating high school, I attended Purdue where I studied public relations and strategic communication and political science. While at Purdue, I was a member of the Purduettes and interned with Purdue Brand Studio. Upon graduation, I started as a remote content developer and moved away from Indiana, but I’m grateful to continue to play a role in keeping higher education accessible for future generations of Boilermakers.
 
More about me: Outside of work, I love spending time being creative — whether it’s through music, baking, painting, fashion, photography or writing… I love it all! I’m also passionate about nature, and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking. Some of my other hobbies include giving astrology readings, traveling, cycling and yoga.

Mara Cordial

Associate Director of Enrollment Systems

What I do: I oversee the Slate CRM for Enrollment Management, introducing innovation and providing technical support, with special attention to creating efficiencies for Admissions and our continuing students.

Background: I earned an undergraduate degree in international studies from Cedarville University and a master’s degree in higher education leadership from the University of Cincinnati. Throughout my career, I’ve been an admissions counselor, CRM manager and director of operations, with my journey taking me from the recruitment of students to implementing the Slate CRM. At Purdue, I provide oversight of enrollment systems and I’m passionate about using system functionality to make higher education accessible for all and finding efficiencies for staff.

More about me: I’m an Ohioan through and through, and currently live in Cincinnati. When I’m not working, you can find me collecting rare sneakers or basketball cards and traveling to explore new cities around the world (bonus if there’s a volcano!).

Allison Gardner

Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

What I do: I lead the communications team and strategically plan and execute our undergraduate communications efforts for an impactful student journey from recruitment through enrollment in support of leadership goals. Additionally, I foster collaboration among other Enrollment Management teams, key campus partners and academic units, enhancing the delivery of branded, dynamic content to prospective and admitted students.

Background: After graduating from Purdue University where I studied fine arts and psychology, I headed south by southwest to Austin, Texas and worked as a marketing coordinator for a project management and planning firm. I’ve worked for Purdue since 2011, in various positions in the College of Veterinary Medicine, most recently as assistant director of communications, before joining the EMSCI team. I love communications and design, and putting them together with the human experience is icing on the cake.

More about me: Born in Canada, I grew up not far from Purdue in the middle of a corn field. I love shopping for pretend houses on Zillow and making the next great soup recipe. I’m also really good at remembering that one thing that guy said (you know who I’m talking about… the one in the shirt) in that movie we watched as kids.

Justin Haberstroh

Production Coordinator

What I do: I support our project management efforts, managing project timelines and queueing communications for college partners and Enrollment Management units. I also assist with our annual print projects as part of our recruitment efforts to prospective students, overseeing from inception to delivery in partnership with university units and external vendors.

Background: I studied journalism at IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis), where I focused on my passion for health and sports. During my academic career at IUPUI I had the privilege of going to the 2023 College Football National Championship game in Los Angeles and covering March Madness games in Indianapolis. I am passionate about communicating the great things happening at Purdue University, which is a school that has provided many opportunities for me and my family throughout my life. Working for Purdue is an opportunity for me to give back to my local community.

More about me: I currently live with my mom and dad in West Lafayette. Before moving to Indiana as a kid, I lived in Hawaii on the island of Molokai. I have an amazing girlfriend named Grace who has a dog and a cat that I also claim as my own.  

Ed Huston

Enrollment Analyst

What I do: I am responsible for creating and refining queries that generate accurate and targeted distribution lists for various communications and general reporting. The queries are designed to meet certain criteria, ensuring that outreach efforts are as effective and impactful as possible.

Background: I joined Purdue University after moving to Indiana from California, where I taught in the public school system for 12 years. Transitioning from the classroom to a dynamic role at Purdue has been an exciting journey, allowing me to apply my educational experience in new and impactful ways.

More about me: I generally vote in favor of pronouncing GIF like the peanut butter, using Oxford commas (sorry, Ed) and adding pineapple and cashews to pizza. 

Bryce Martin

Communications Specialist

What I do: I foster the recruitment of future Purdue University students and the engagement of current students through high-level communication efforts, including writing and editing content for emails and events, producing multimedia and creating web content, as well as other promotional materials. As a steward of the university’s brand, I develop engaging, curated content that is authentically Purdue.

Background: I double-majored in creative writing and English at Asbury University. I have a passion for storytelling in all forms and have worked to hone my craft in both fiction and non-fiction. Over the course of my college career, I was the chief news editor for Asbury’s newspaper, The Asbury Collegian; served as the creative non-fiction editor for the school’s student creative writers’ showcase, The Asbury Review; and worked as a writing consultant at the Center for Academic Excellence. The privilege of working at Purdue allows me to put these skills to work in a prestigious and expansive Big Ten environment.

More about me: I currently live just south of Bloomington, in IU country (and for sure, I catch a lot of flack about working at Purdue when I’m home). When I’m not working, I’m writing fiction stories for fun, playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends or visiting my partner in Illinois.

Griffin Smith

Enrollment System Specialist

What I do: I update, maintain and build processes within the Slate CRM, as well as manage data input and user permissions. I also support events, helping Admissions and college partners with event functionality to promote student recruitment.

Background: I am a graduate of Purdue University with a background in industrial engineering. Working at my alma mater allows me to enhance the student experience by optimizing processes that helped shape my own journey here. I’m passionate about using technology to simplify enrollment, ensuring students can focus on beginning their academic adventure with confidence.

More about me: I am from Greenwood, Indiana, and the youngest of four siblings. I enjoy hiking, biking and spending time outside. I also have two cats.

Eva Tilton

Communications Specialist

What I do: I foster the recruitment of future Purdue University students and the engagement of current students through high-level communication efforts, including writing and editing content for emails and events, producing multimedia and creating web content, as well as other promotional materials. As a steward of the university’s brand, I develop engaging, curated content that is authentically Purdue.

Background: I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in communication and a concentration in mediated communication (Go Green!). I previously interned under several communications specialists at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, which led to my love for the job and working with Big Ten colleges.

More about me: I have loved reading (always love a good book recommendation!), writing and editing for as long as I can remember. I am originally from Grand Haven, Michigan, and am a Detroit Lions fan.