Exploring new terrain: Purdue Global leader’s journey from ice sheets to innovative learning

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Jon Harbor is not afraid of exploring new areas, ideas and concepts.

Inquisitive at heart, Harbor has conducted geological studies of glaciers and ice sheets that have taken him around the world — to mountains in the Arctic, Antarctica, the Rockies, the European Alps, Central Asia and the Tibetan plateau.

Today he can be found in West Lafayette, Indiana, on his laptop testing new AI platforms, strategizing about student success or collaborating with Purdue Global leadership, faculty and staff to propel the online university to its next chapter.

Harbor, who is serving as interim chancellor, is no stranger to Purdue Global: From August 2020 to January 2024, he served as Purdue Global’s provost.

“Purdue Global is laser-focused on student success, and one of the most enjoyable parts of the job is hearing from students and alumni about their amazing experiences and how their accomplishments have been transformational,” Harbor said. “I love working with the talented and dedicated team of faculty and staff at Purdue Global and brainstorming ways that we can continue to innovate to provide the best possible future-oriented learning environment for working adults.”

Creating new landscapes for students

As a student, Harbor was fascinated by glaciers and ice sheets and the landscapes they create over time.

Now he and others at Purdue Global are creating a new higher education landscape at a faster pace for working adult learners who want a degree they can be proud of.

Leaning on Purdue Global’s strategic goals of student success, innovation and growth, together Harbor, faculty and staff are focused on improving experiences.

“Online education is continually changing — our students deserve a learning experience that leverages both research on adult online learning and emerging technologies,” Harbor said. “Our students need to be learning how to effectively and ethically use emerging technologies to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their work. This requires continuous innovation in both our programs and in how Purdue Global supports student learning and success.”

Emerging technologies and concepts involving artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, extended reality and blockchain are part of the future of the student learning experience. Another aspect of increasing student success is developing partnerships and streamlining pathways of transfer credits and credit for prior learning and life experiences for working adult learners.

“Today’s students deserve an amazingly well-run and frictionless university, and so a key fundamental is to continue delivering what we are already doing so well,” he said. “However, tomorrow’s students need an education that prepares them to explore new opportunities and technologies, so Purdue Global also needs to be engaged in continuous, future-oriented change.”

Success, to him, is achieved one student at a time, with personalized support tailored to help each individual reach their goals and maximize the impact of their Purdue Global education on their life and career.

Harbor is grateful for Purdue Global alumni and partners who provide feedback for improvement to drive student success.

“We have amazing alumni who continue to serve Purdue Global by providing ideas and suggestions to keep our programs relevant and forward looking,” he said. “Some also provide internships and opportunities that help current students move ahead in their lives and careers, and others return to become our faculty.”

Exploring the physical world and online education

A first-generation college student himself, Harbor understands the value and opportunities of higher education.

“Higher education has opened doors to opportunities that I didn’t even know existed and to careers and experiences that I had never dreamed would be possible,” he said. “This is what drives me to help find creative ways to support Purdue Global students and help them reach their goals — one of which is graduating with a degree.”

After earning his master’s degree from the University of Colorado and a doctorate in geology at the University of Washington, he worked as an environmental consultant before becoming a faculty member at Kent State University.

Colorado is special to him, as that is where he met his wife, Amy, when they were in the same geography graduate program.

In 1994 Harbor joined Purdue University’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences in the College of Science. His teaching and research have focused on applied environmental sciences, including hydrology and land use change, and glaciers and ice sheets.

“Thanks to talented students and collaborators, I have been able to pursue research and teaching that has taken me to every continent on Earth, as well as both highly developed and very remote areas of the world,” he said.

While a Purdue faculty member, he researched best practices in education, especially helping students with different backgrounds and learning styles.

He learned to develop hybrid and fully online courses, working with instructional designers and technologists through Purdue Online, building his understanding of the importance of online education in providing flexible opportunities for learners with differing backgrounds and situations.

When Purdue Global became Purdue’s online university for working adults, he was intrigued.

“I was attracted to the opportunity at Purdue Global because of its focus on providing high-quality and accessible learning opportunities for adults,” Harbor said. “I was drawn to the compelling mission of Purdue Global to provide relevant educational opportunities at scale — opportunities that change lives, careers, families and communities.”

His work at Purdue Global helping students make their comeback is personal.

“My mother was unable to attend university as a young adult. It was through a fully online program that, in her 60s, she was finally able to realize her dream of completing an undergraduate degree — her comeback,” he said. “Higher education has been truly transformational for me and my family. I have been amazingly fortunate to have a career that is so meaningful to me and to the students I serve.”

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.