Our Staff & Students

David Bowker

David Bowker is the Director of the Office of Future Engineers at Purdue University. David is responsible for directing and implementing recruitment activities for the College of Engineering. Prior to being at Purdue, David spent three years as Recruitment Coordinator at Ivy Tech State College-Lafayette and a year advising in the School of Education at Purdue. David received his Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision in 1994 and his Master's degree in Higher Education Administration in 1997 from Purdue University. David is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and conducts workshops with students and staff across campus.

David has taught a variety of classes and currently is teaching Academic & Career planning at Purdue University. He has a passion for encouraging young people to find their niche and takes pride in being a small bridge on their pathway to success.David is the advisor to The Purdue Student Engineering Foundation (PSEF).

Although born in Detroit, David is truly a local product and a professed "townie," having grown up in Lafayette. Occasionally, he will toss out his very loose associations with Eminem or Axl Rose for "Street Cred" but very rarely does it come in handy on campus. David likes to stay fit by drinking lots of coffee (loves it) and teaching spin classes. If you’re (un)lucky, you just might hear him break into a song on your visit.

SELECT AWARDS, TEDX TALKS, & FEATURED ARTICLES

Meet a College Recruiter Who Didn't Love School, 2018

David Bowker, featured in the Forbes article, "How People With Learning Disabilities Handle Their Differences in the Workplace," discussed with contributing editor, Denise Brodey, about how he has turned his perceived weaknesses into his greatest strengths to succeed in the workplace. He also provided three tips for others to succeed too. 

College of Engineering Award of Excellence, Team Award, Office of Future Engineers, December 2016

Awarded for "their superb coordination and highly effective efforts as a team to devise and implement pioneering ideas in student recruitment, contributing to the overall acceptance rate and growth of women and diverse students to the College of Engineering."

Go to College Anywhere, David Bowker, TEDxLafayette, 2015

In this TEDx talk, David Bowker's passionate presentation centered on encouraging young people to find their niche and how he takes pride in being a small bridge on their pathway to success.

Amy Glenn

Amy is responsible for identifying and developing the strategic future of recruitment activities for OFE on behalf of the College of Engineering.

Born in Kansas, Amy lived in Nebraska and Iowa before her family settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she graduated high school. Having lived in the West Lafayette, Indiana area most of her adult life, Amy enjoys meeting new people and seeing new places as part of her role in OFE.

Being a First Generation college graduate, Amy is dedicated to inspiring the middle and high school students to stay engaged in math and science as well as learn more about the exciting career opportunities possible with a foundation in both. “It is a privilege being invited into middle and high school classrooms to share with students about the amazing and rewarding careers in engineering, and dispel the myths that many have about what it means to be an engineer. It is also an honor to collaborate and support middle school and high school teachers in inspiring students to see the relevance of math and science in everyday life and preparing for college."

As a Non-Traditional college graduate, Amy worked part-time as a secretary at Purdue while working on her bachelor's degree full-time. After graduation, Amy left campus to pursue a career in industry and realized she missed being involved in higher education and returned to Purdue. In 2008, Amy accepted the role as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Recruitment (College of Engineering). In 2011, the Office of Future Engineers was established as a department based on the cornerstones of Outreach, Recruitment, Student Leadership Development, and Alumni Connections; at which time Amy’s role transitioned to the Associate Director of OFE.

"As a member of OFE we are given the opportunity to share a journey in the lives of future students. From wide-eyed first time visitors to seeing those we have shared the years with walking around the fountain at graduation. I am thankful for every student and family that entrusts us to share in this part of their lives.”

SELECT AWARDS

Special Boilermaker Award, 2020

The Special Boilermaker Award, awarded by the Purdue Alumni Association, honors a member of the Purdue faculty or staff who has contributed significantly to the improvement of the quality of life and/or the betterment of the educational experience for a substantial number of Purdue students.

Amy received the award for her efforts in expanding undergraduate recruitment to encompass outreach, recruitment, retention and alumni engagement, resulting in the creation of the Office of Future Engineers. “She takes a large, well-known university and makes it a small and intimate event for parents to answer questions and calm fears.”

Leadership Lafayette Class 49 Graduate, 2020

Leadership Lafayette is dedicated to the development of the area and its individuals, utilizing experiential learning and promoting the importance that program participants represent the diverse fabric of our community and plan to give back through servant leadership.

Being selected, and participating as a member of Class 49, provided Amy an opportunity for continued leadership skill development while bridging the gap between Purdue's College of Engineering and the greater Lafayette/West Lafayette area.

College of Engineering PRIME Grant (Inaugural) Recipient, 2019

The Professional Renewal in Maximizing Excellence (PRIME) grant supports Purdue’s College of Engineering staff members who wish to pursue professional development activities that will contribute to achieving career goals. The grant recipient is reimbursed up to $1,500 and able to use up to five days for work-related professional development opportunities that could include career-enhancing courses or certifications, travel to professional conferences and other professional development activities.

As a recipient of the PRIME award, Amy was able to apply the funds to participate in Leadership Lafayette.

Growing Leaders National Leadership Award, 2017

Growing Leaders is a non-profit organization that partners with schools, colleges, athletic depts. and organizations to develop today’s emerging generation of leaders. They equip educators, employers, coaches, youth workers and parents to understand and connect with this generation, and offer resources to spark conversations and life-changing experiences with them.

Amy was selected for this award based on "her efforts in promoting student leadership opportunities within the Office of Future Engineers and across Purdue University, collaborating with the Krannert School of Management, Purdue Athletics, Purdue University Residences; as well as developing and hosting elective 'Habitudes' leadership programs for students in the College of Engineering,"

College of Engineering: Staff Team of Excellence Award- Office of Future Engineers, 2016

The purpose of the Staff Team of Excellence award is to recognize and encourage teamwork in the College of Engineering.

Awarded for: "their superb coordination and highly effective efforts as a team to devise and implement pioneering ideas in student recruitment, contributing to the overall acceptance rate and growth of women and diverse students to the College of Engineering."

College of Engineering: New Employee Award, 2010

The purpose of the New Employee award is to recognize, encourage, and promote a desire to contribute and to acquire new capabilities as a staff member of the College of Engineering specifically; and the University in general.

Awarded for her efforts in expanding visibility and increasing recruitment of new students into Purdue’s College of Engineering

Leslie Valiant

Leslie is the Assistant Director of the Office of Future Engineers overseeing marketing and communication efforts for the College of Engineering's recruiting office.

A 1998 graduate of Purdue University, Leslie holds a BA in Communications with concentration in Advertising and an AS in Computer Graphics Technology. She also completed an MS in 2022 in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Purdue Global.

Leslie has an extensive background in the marketing and communications field working with businesses of a variety of sizes in many different industries. Her areas of expertise include print design, website design and development, project management, and professional writing. Having spent the bulk of her career in website development both as a front end developer and designer as well as project manager, she has a unique perspective on the changes and evolution of the marketing landscape.

Leslie has been in a communications role at Purdue since 2021, making the transition to the Office of Future Engineers in May 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, attending Purdue sporting events, and hanging with friends and family.

Awards and Recognition: 

2023 - Best Branding Nationwide Recognized by Suitable: Student Engagement Software
Awarded best branding for a promotional campaign introducing the Suitable student engagement app to students in the John Martinson Honors College. 

2024 - College of Engineering Staff Bravo Award for Operational Excellence
Awarded by the Purdue University College of Engineering for recognition of extraordinary work and significant contributions to operational excellence, going above and beyond to contribute to department and college goals.

Lindsay Elias

Hometown: Lakeville, IN (though I consider the Greater Lafayette area my true hometown)
Degree: Currently working on my Bachelor's in Business Administration through Purdue Global
Interests: Leadership, learning, organizing, animals, friends and family

 

SELECT AWARDS 

College of Engineering Bravo Award, Operational Excellence, December 2022

Awarded for: "During the 2020-21 Purdue Shutdown, and the subsequent 2021-22 was a year of rebuilding, Lindsay took the initiative to ensure OFE Peer Counselors (PC's) maintained a consistent level of professionalism and authenticity by developing a training program that could be completed virtually or in hybrid setting. Through her role, Lindsay serves as a role model for the PC’s that led to a low turnover rate of student staff, and more importantly, an increased retention rate of engineering students working in OFE."

Rose Award, Purdue Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board, April 2022

Awarded for: the positivity she brings to her workplace and willingness to go above-and-beyond
in her duties.

College of Engineering Award of Excellence, Administrative/Professional Customer Service Award, December 2016

Awarded for: "her flexibility and preparedness in navigating the ever-changing landscape of the Office of Future Engineers student recruitment efforts, providing quality customer service to a multitude of constituents and dedication to serving students interested in Purdue Engineering."

College of Engineering Award of Excellence, Team Award, Office of Future Engineers, December 2016

Awarded for: "their superb coordination and highly effective efforts as a team to devise and implement pioneering ideas in student recruitment, contributing to the overall acceptance rate and growth of women and diverse students to the College of Engineering."

Sean McKee

Sean McKee is the Assistant Director of Recruitment for the Office of Future Engineers (OFE) and oversees the College of Engineering’s undergraduate recruitment efforts across the state of Indiana and on Purdue’s campus.  

Sean is a townie and grew up in the Greater Lafayette area, graduating from Harrison High School in West Lafayette, IN (2014). Coming from a family of Purdue graduates, he bleeds black and gold! He holds a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Education from Taylor University and a Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Purdue Global.  

Prior to his work in recruitment and student advising, Sean began his career by teaching high school and dual credit Spanish for 4 years. He enjoys using his Spanish skills as much as possible by traveling, watching Spanish TV shows (ask him for recommendations!), and using Spanish to assist him in his recruitment role.  

Sean began his career in higher education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as an admissions counselor and later served as an academic advisor and program coordinator for the Engineering Undeclared program at Illinois. He enjoys getting to help guide students as they find their college and major fit and begin their early steps into their collegiate journeys. Sean loves talking with students about their passions and working with engineers to see the ways they innovate in their fields!  

Sean moved back to the area to join OFE in Spring 2024 and is very excited to be a Boilermaker! In his free time, he enjoys workouts, lifting, going on walks and hikes, and finding any way to put some movement into his day. He also is an avid Purdue sports fan. Boiler up! 

Aloysius Rebeiro

Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Year and Major: Senior, Computer Engineering and Physics
Minor: Mathematics
Involvement: Past - Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) for Nanohub, Purdue Student Government (PSG) Programming Director, Purdue Solar Racing, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) for ECE 36200, Current - Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) for ECE 30200 and Peer Counselor for Office of Future Engineers (OFE)

Ayush Srivastava

Hometown: Parker, CO
Year and Major: Senior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minor: Philosophy
Involvement: Former President of Purdue Space Program - A SEDS Chapter, Muay Thai/ Kickboxing Club member, Purdue SLING member

Carter Doby

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Year and Major: Senior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Involvement: Purdue Bands (Marching band student leader, concert & pep bands, technology volunteer team), Purdue Orbital (Operations Director)

Cory Lyden

Hometown: Granbury, TX
Year and Major: Junior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Involvement: "All-American" Marching Band

Falak Mandali

Hometown: Gujarat, India
Year and Major: Senior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Involvement: Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB), Purdue Space Program (PSP), Purdue Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, AAE Amabssador, Women In Engineering Mentor & Mentee program

Joey Massaro

Hometown: Edwards Air Force Base, California
Year and Major: Junior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Involvement: Boiler Gold Rush Supervisor, Study Abroad (Sweden), Triangle Fraternity, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Student Advisory Council (AAESAC), Mesosphere Sampling Research Project

Joslyn Ferguson

Hometown: Brownstown, Michigan
Year and Major: Junior, Biomedical Engineering
Minors and Certificates: Co-Op Certificate (3 rotations)
Involvement: Past - Boiler Gold Rush Team Leader and the Women in Engineering Mentor & Mentee program Current - Purdue Student Engineering Foundation (PSEF), Undergraduate Researcher in the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Laboratory, and the Biomedical Engineering Society

Julian Torres-Corral

Hometown: Hanover Park, Illinois
Year and Major: Sophomore, Astronautical Engineering
Involvement: Current - Minority Enigneering Program (MEP), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Think Summer/Engineering Academic Boot Camp (EABC)

Kirunda Kunyiha

Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Year and Major: Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Minors and Certificates: Business Economics and Design & Innovation Minors, Co-op and Entreprenuership Certificates
Involvement: Past - Cummins Intern, Droplette Inc. Co-op, ZF Automotive Co-op, VIP (Autonomous Motorsports Purdue) Current - National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), College of Engineering Ambassador, Supplemental Instruction Leader, African Student Association

Nachi Yellapragada

Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Year and Major: Senior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minors and Certificates: Systems Certificate
Involvement: Current: AAE Student Advisory Council (AAESAC), College of Engineering Ambassador, AAE Ambassador, Concert Orchestra
Past: RTX - Raytheon Intern, Zucrow Undergrad Research Assistant, SURF/AAMP-UP 2022, Purdue Space Program - High Altitude, EPICS Learning Community - AAE Education, UltraFast Quantum Dynamics Group Undergrad Research, Kappa Delta Rho

Prateek Jannu

Hometown: Bengaluru, India
Year and Major: Senior, Computer Engineering
Involvement: Data Analyst at the ECE Corporate Partnerships, Undergraduate research, graduating Summer 2024 and rejoining as a PhD student.

Sathwik Palwai

Hometown: Lincolnshire, IL
Year and Major: Senior, Industrial Engineering
Minors and Certificates: None
Involvement: Purdue Fencing Club, IISE

Seth Johnson

Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida
Year and Major: Senior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minors and Certificates: Minors in Aerospace Studies and English
Involvement: Air Force ROTC, PSP-Student Launch Project Manager and Purdue Student Foundation Board

Zachary Reichel

Hometown: Evansville, Indiana
Year and Major: 5th year, Computer Engineering 
Minors and Certificates: German and Global Engineering Studies Minors, and Co-op Certificate (3 rotations)
Involvement: Current: ECE Ambassadors, Boiler Gold Rush Team Supervisor Past: Boiler Gold Rush Team Leader, Co-op ZF Friedrichshafen, GEARE Program (Germany)