Purdue Insights Faculty Forum

Purdue Insights is a leadership forum hosted by Faculty Affairs in the Office of the Provost intended to support faculty who are interested in exploring leadership at a university, increase the pool of potential leaders at Purdue, and expand our capacity for leadership programming beyond the Big 10 Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Programs. The Insights program focuses on preparing and supporting faculty to take on enhanced leadership roles at Purdue, particularly as Associate Head, Head, Associate Dean, or Center/Institute Director. Faculty members who are early in their time in one of these leadership positions are also finding value in the program. To see current Purdue Insight fellows visit  Program Fellows Bios.

This opportunity holds three vital growth components: group forums, peer group meetings, and a mentor connection.

The bimonthly forums address the “nuts and bolts” of leadership at a university, including personal leadership styles, traits of successful academic leaders, diversity and inclusion, transparency, building consensus, recognition and appreciation, and mentoring faculty and staff. You can find this year's program schedule at the following link for an example of guests and content.

Peer group meetings provide an opportunity for participants to interact in small groups in order to learn more about how different departments and colleges operate and to discuss program content in depth. 

Each participant also selects an experienced administrator at Purdue as a mentor. Participants and mentors are expected to meet 3-4 times per year to discuss the participant’s goals and personal progress toward leadership aspirations.

Application Process

We ask that deans provide up to four nomination packets for faculty from their College, selected from names provided by the Department Heads.  The nomination packet for each faculty member must include:

• A complete curriculum vitae
• An applicant letter of interest, including a brief description of their administrative and leadership experience, as well as three goals reflecting what they hope to gain from participating in the Insights Forum (3 page limit)
• An acknowledgement that they are available to attend the Insights sessions, Mondays from 12:30-2:30 pm throughout both fall and spring semesters
• A letter of support from their Department Head (2 page limit) 
• A biographical statement (one-page limit) describing their career trajectory and university leadership experience.

 All nomination packets will be reviewed by a selection committee. Based on the strengths of the applicant pool and representation of all colleges, a cohort of 16 faculty will be chosen to participate in the program. To see the listing of previous faculty cohorts in the Insights program, visit Faculty Insights Forum Past and Present Members - Office of the Provost - Purdue University.

The deadline for the 2025-2026 application process is March 10, 2025. All applications should be sent to facultyaffairs@purdue.edu.”