As assistant director for the Office of Experiential Education at Purdue University, with responsibility focused on the Indianapolis location, Kate Caward plays a key role in shaping experiential education for Purdue students. Caward is focused on ensuring that students can access impactful, hands-on learning experiences that prepares them for success beyond graduation.

“I want to ensure that our students have enriching, immersive opportunities that build their skills and help them connect what they learn in the classroom with real-world experiences,” Caward says. "Experiential education is about more than just internships or projects—it's about helping students build a foundation they can carry into their careers."

Caward’s role involves supporting and developing experiential education initiatives across various disciplines, including in engineering, science, and polytechnic fields. She brings over a decade of experience in experiential education, having previously worked at Purdue's College of Pharmacy in West Lafayette. Her current work in Indianapolis allows her to broaden her focus and support a holistic vision of student development.

“Moving from a specialized role to this broader position has been a great opportunity for me to step back and see how these programs contribute to student success on a larger scale,” Caward reflects.

Beyond the academic and career benefits, Caward emphasizes creating a sense of community for students who move between Purdue's West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses. “When students participate in off-campus work experiences, they can often feel disconnected from their usual support system,” she explains. “In Indianapolis, we’re working to create a structure where students can have that sense of community, even while they're gaining critical hands-on experience.”

Caward is deeply committed to ensuring that these experiential education opportunities align with students’ career goals and provide meaningful preparation for life after college. She notes that experiential education aligns closely with what researchers call “high-impact practices,” which lead to higher GPAs, better graduation rates and increased job readiness. The goal, she adds, is to ensure that Purdue students in Indianapolis have access to these experiences and opportunities.

Reflecting on her own educational journey, Caward recalls how an applied project during her time at Ball State University sparked her interest in community engagement and hands-on learning. This experience—developing a marketing campaign for a Habitat for Humanity ReStore—was an early indication of her future career path, though she didn’t realize it at the time.

“I think I was just lucky to fall into this field,” she says. “But now, I can see how impactful these experiences are for students, and I’m thrilled to be part of expanding them in Indianapolis.”

As Purdue continues to grow its presence in Indianapolis, Caward’s efforts to foster strong community partnerships and innovative learning experiences are helping to shape the next generation of world-ready graduates.