In this feature, we celebrate Boilermakers at every degree level who are making strides towards self-betterment and exemplify one or more of the Steps to Leaps learning pillars - Well-Being, Leadership, Impact, Networks and Grit/Persistence.
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Know a student, faculty or staff member who exemplifies one of the Steps to Leaps learning pillars? Use the Steps to Leaps Spotlight Nomination Form to start celebrating their achievements!
Mackenzie Mykleby On Developing Leadership Skills at Purdue
Mackenzie Mykleby, a junior double-majoring in political science and economics at Purdue, has a passion to move into the corporate world and work on immigration law and policies someday.
To do this, Mykleby has found her footing as an executive chair in the Center for C-SPAN for Scholarship & Engagement (CCSE) community – a group she has been a part of since her freshman year. CCSE provides Purdue students with experiential learning opportunities to facilitate non-partisan conversations about various topics within politics and offers career services such as networking, resume-building and visits with special guests such as journalists and politicians. An amazing opportunity presented itself to her freshman year when she was able to go to Washington D.C. for two weeks to visit C-SPAN and meet Brian Lamb. While there, Mykleby said she networked with amazing people she remains in contact with. She says the biggest lesson she has learned in working with CCSE is how important it is to support the people around you.
Johnny Hazboun On Impact and Well-Being at Purdue
Johnny Hazboun, a student studying computer engineering at Purdue, has wondered since he was very young what he could do to make an impact on the world that was so great that in “400 years, they will remember us”. To accomplish this, he has put his trust in Purdue to help him to achieve this legacy.
When Hazboun first started at Purdue, he believed that participating in student clubs would help him to make a greater impact – so he got busy! Hazboun has been president of nine clubs in the eastern region. He currently sits as the president of the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Student Union, which leads 10 student organizations in representing and advocating for students from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the SWANA regions on campus. Hazboun also spends his time working as a resident assistant, helping to supervise and mentor students in his residence hall. In addition, he works as a research assistant for the Human-Interactive Robotics Lab, helping to integrate artificial intelligence into human prosthetics.
Helena Ho Finds Her Balance at Purdue
Helena Ho, a junior studying finance at the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, is not quite sure what she wants to do after she graduates - but she does dream of working internationally. Helena, an Indiana native, has an internship lined up this summer in corporate finance and risk management that she hopes will be one of the many steps that she will take toward achieving that goal.
Helena’s activities outside of the classroom involve her sorority, alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi), one of the largest international Asian-interest sororities on campus, and working with the Asian Student Union Board, where she serves as treasurer. Helena says she pushes herself to give back to the community through community service in her work with both groups. One successful event she remembers was aKDPhi’s Mr. Pink fundraiser, a male pageant that raises money for breast cancer awareness. At the time of this interview, Helena was preparing for the 15th annual Miss Asia pageant, where participants showcase their diverse backgrounds with the intent of sharing beauty and awareness of the many different cultures within Purdue’s Asian community.
Chandler Terrell Brings Focus to His Well-Being at Purdue
Chandler Terrell, a junior studying construction management (pre-law) with a minor in political science, has developed his sense of well-being at Purdue. A fierce lover of outdoor water sports such as wake surfing and boating, Chandler has turned to popular alternatives such as the NFL, college football and basketball to help while waiting for the weather to warm back up.
When asked how Chandler works to create an impact, he said that he focuses on his work as president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu. Chandler became president as a sophomore and quickly learned that this role had the power to empower others. He enjoys answering questions and providing guidance to his fraternity brothers, especially those who have just arrived on campus. Understanding that some of those whom he mentors are only a few years younger than him, Chandler says there is much to learn for new students navigating their new life at Purdue.
Inseong Hong Builds on Her Leadership Skills at Purdue
Inseong Hong, a senior studying business communications with a minor in human resources management, has found her stride in leadership at Purdue. Over the past few years, Inseong has been busy taking advantage of her time on campus by fulfilling many leadership roles.
In 2021, Inseong served as the vice president of internal affairs for alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi), an Asian interest sorority that promotes the pillars of sisterhood, leadership, scholarship, service and Asian awareness to all members. She later served as the sorority’s president in 2022. Inseong says that she struggled to find representation growing up in the Midwest and was pleasantly surprised by the Asian population and strong community she found at Purdue.
Andrew Eichenmeier on Using Purdue’s Opportunities Today to Be a Better Leader Tomorrow
Andrew Eichenmeier, a senior studying political science, has just a little time left to decide what his next steps will be after graduation. He enjoyed working for a government defense contracting agency last summer, just finished applying for a fellowship in Indianapolis and is waiting for his LSAT results. Andrew certainly understands and values the education and opportunities that he has been given at Purdue to help prepare him for his next giant leap – whatever that may be.
Shye Robinson Shares How to ‘Be Present’ in Networking
Shye Robinson, a double major in political science and brain and behavioral sciences with a minor in Spanish, is grateful for the opportunities that she has found as a student at Purdue University.
Outside of class, Shye finds comfort in the many memberships and leadership positions she holds around campus. She is most recognizable as the Purdue Student Government (PSG) President, but she also serves in the Political Discourse Club and is a member of the Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement (CCSE), where she took part in the Boilers Go to D.C. (BGDC) to learn about Washington D.C. and the ever-changing political course of the US. When not focusing on her studies, Shye likes to roller skate, watch TV and work on a podcast she started last December.
Ryan Daniels Shares How to ‘Level-Up’ Your Impact
Ryan Daniels, a junior studying film & video production, is all about taking that perfect shot. When she graduates from Purdue, she hopes to obtain a position in the sports production industry someday. When not in the classroom, Ryan is the vice president of operations for the Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB), a dean’s ambassador, the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) chair for the College of Liberal Arts, the treasurer for Purdue Student Productions, and participates in two choirs – Heart & Soul with Purdue Musical Organizations and the Black Voices of Inspiration with the Black Cultural Center.
Kelsey Kruyer, a junior studying biomedical health sciences on a pre-dental track, with minors in anthropology and psychology, is passionate about her role as a resident assistant (RA) at Meredith Hall. Kelsey says that some of the inspiration for what she does today stems from the unusual situation of arriving at Purdue as a first-year student during the pandemic.
Carter Mayhan, a junior studying mechanical engineering with a minor in management, is passionate about what he can bring to the table at Purdue. Outside of the classroom, Carter is a project manager for Purdue Solutions Consulting, a student-led technology and management consulting operation. In addition, Carter serves as a tour guide for the Office of Admissions Ambassador program.
Shane Gibson, a junior studying supply chain and sales engineering technology with a minor in construction management at Purdue, wants to use his education to own his own company someday. Coming from a family in the construction field, Shane hopes to carve his own path in construction sales as a supplier.
Megan Bixler, a junior studying agricultural economics at Purdue, is excited about where her degree will take her even though she hasn’t settled on a specific path yet. “My degree is so broad and there are so many things you can do within agricultural economics,” Megan says. “I could go into planning, marketing, agricultural education outside of the classroom, tourism, policymaking – the options are really endless!”
Jerica Drew, a senior in the School of Aviation Technology and Transportation at Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, is no stranger when it comes to making an impact in her community. Prior to arriving at Purdue, Jerica actively served our country for five years in the United States Navy and completed three years of reserve service.
Kaustubh Ray, a spring 2022 graduate of Purdue’s Aeronautical & Astronomical Engineering undergraduate program, is currently interning as a systems engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Inspired by the stars while away at NASA, he is also working as a part-time direct-Ph.D. student in the Gambaro Graduate Program of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue.
Read More about Kaustubh here.
Luke Thesier, a construction management technology (CMT) major from Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, wants to eventually be the one “running it all” when constructing buildings. In addition to the sticks and bricks, the CMT program at Purdue taught Luke about installing piping, electrical components, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), so that he can eventually bid for work after graduation.
Rachel Wong, who is double majoring in management and marketing with a concentration in innovation management, learned to face her social networking fears by jumping headfirst into student clubs and organizations. She says when she first came to Purdue, she felt it was important to immediately leap out of her comfort zone and get involved in student organizations - especially at the beginning of the school year.
As a first-year student, it did not take long for Natalie Nottolini to discover that the then marketing major was not a fan of … wait for it: marketing. Instead of panicking, Natalie took another approach – she hit the books and researched other majors within Krannert School of Management to see what might interest her...
Ashley Bagadiong, a senior in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, has big aspirations for her future career. The first goals she has set for herself are to work in the consumer-packaged goods industry and run for office someday.
Delaney Mortimore, a senior majoring in human services within the College of Health and Human Sciences, works hard to incorporate the Steps to Leaps pillar of Impact into her actions by focusing all her energy on social work, case management, societal issues and community activism.
Tiffany Pai, who is pursuing an economics degree through the three-year program in the College of Liberal Arts, is all about helping others. From the moment that Tiffany stepped on campus, she knew she wanted to create an impact. She discovered a path to impact quickly when, as a first-year student, she discovered Purdue’s Civic Engagement and Leadership Development (CELD) department. At the time, CELD had just launched the Leadership Experience at Purdue (LEAP) program, and Tiffany was selected to be part of the first cohort to participate.
Sabria Croom, a senior studying accounting, is on the student advisory board and serves as the student director of the ACE Campus Food Pantry at Purdue. When asked what her secret is to stay on top of her school and volunteer “game,” she says it is essential to prioritize oneself to help others.
Know a student, faculty or staff member who exemplifies one of the Steps to Leaps learning pillars? Be sure to use the Steps to Leaps Showcase Nomination Form here to have them highlighted!