Purdue Global scholar wins national Student of the Year Award

Josh Vandergriff receives recognition from American Council on Education

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Josh Vandergriff’s career goal to learn more about and work with health sciences goes back as long as he can remember.

It’s a determination that helped lead him to Purdue Global — Purdue’s online university for working adults — where he has excelled in the classroom, culminating with his recently receiving one of two American Council on Education Student of the Year Awards. The award is presented annually to individuals who have benefited academically or professionally from the use of ACE credit recommendations for workforce or military training.

“I was definitely surprised when I got the call,” Vandergriff said. “It provided a great boost of confidence in me and is certainly that extra certification, accomplishment that you can build off of, and add to your resume to appeal to employers.”

Vandergriff started college at a traditional higher education institution right after high school. The birth of his first child began to reshape his priorities and put a pause on his full-time student status.

“I had to put my education on hold to help provide a better life for my kids,” Vandergriff said.

Vandergriff worked for about a decade before he began exploring a return to school through an online institution to earn a degree and help advance his career. He wanted the flexibility of an online degree so that he could still work and help raise his kids. Purdue Global was the perfect fit for launching his comeback.

“My academic advisor was really helpful. She just went the extra mile to help me get adjusted to it and also to make sure I was familiar with how Purdue Global worked,” Vandergriff said. “And here I am now, working on my third degree.”

Josh Vandergriff receives his Master of Public Health degree from Chancellor Frank Dooley at Purdue Global’s 2023 commencement ceremony in Anaheim, California. (The Grad Team Photography) Download image

Vandergriff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and a Master of Public Health degree from Purdue Global, thanks in large part to a partnership with Sophia Learning, which allowed him to earn course credits. This paved the way for him to begin and complete his two degrees early — earning a 4.0 GPA and graduating summa cum laude for both degrees along the way.

“I figured I’ve gone this far, I might as well go all the way for the doctorate,” Vandergriff said.

Soon after Vandergriff completed his first two degrees, Purdue Global added a Doctor of Health Science program and Vandergriff wasted no time enrolling. He is on pace to graduate in May 2025.

The ACE Student of the Year Award affirms his hard work has been worth it. In addition to the recognition, he received a $1,000 scholarship to help fund his continuing education.

“It’s a confidence boost for sure,” Vandergriff said. “It makes you set your goals higher in terms of what you can achieve.”

Vandergriff currently serves as a nutrition educator for the Tennessee Department of Health, relentlessly working to help communities understand nutritional deficiencies, health inequalities and mental health.

As he looks ahead toward completing his doctorate at Purdue Global, he hopes to continue working at the state or federal level to address community health needs.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping other people with their health and wellness,” Vandergriff said. “A more recent passion of mine is to help those struggling with mental health. The mind is so complex, and people face so many issues that a lot of people wouldn’t even recognize on a daily basis. I want to help as many people as I can.”

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. 

Writer/Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu

Source: Josh Vandergriff