Purdue Waypoints joins University Undergraduate Academic Advising, helps students transform setbacks into successes
For students who feel lost in their academic journey, Waypoints offers the support and guidance needed to overcome setbacks. Whether students have timed out of their major or are navigating new academic directions, Waypoints helps them reclaim their story and find a clear path forward.
Purdue University is deeply committed to supporting students at every stage of their academic journey, ensuring they have the tools needed to overcome obstacles and succeed. At the heart of this commitment is Waypoints — a crucial initiative that helps students encountering academic setbacks find their path forward.
"Waypoints is for students who are eligible to remain at Purdue but no longer have a home in their chosen major," explains Jeff Elliott, executive director of University Undergraduate Academic Advising. "It’s about giving them a safe place to regroup and find a path forward, whether that’s here at Purdue or, in some cases, at another institution."
Whether a student has timed out of their major, timed out of Exploratory Studies, is not meeting GPA requirements or is simply in search of a new academic direction, Waypoints provides the structured guidance needed to help them stay on track.
John Pearson, the Waypoints academic advising specialist, understands that many students he meets are grappling with feelings of defeat.
"The goal of Waypoints is to help them reclaim their story and help them to understand that this setback doesn’t define them,” Pearson affirms.
In his first meeting with students, Pearson listens to their experiences, reminding them that they’re still in control of their education journey.
"We spend time talking about their Purdue story," Pearson shares. "That conversation gives them back their agency and reminds them that they belong here."
Pearson then moves toward practical solutions and connects students to critical resources across campus, including tutoring centers and academic advisors, to ensure they’re taking full advantage of everything Purdue has to offer.
"I’m very direct with students about what they need to do. It’s not always easy, but Waypoints lays out the steps they need to succeed."
These steps can be as easy as retaking a couple of classes to improving their GPA. Pearson says that one of the main obstacles students coming into Waypoints face is not meeting the GPA requirements of the schools or programs they want to CODO into.
"We’re here to help them see that one bad semester doesn’t mean their dream is over," Pearson said. "It’s about working with them to develop new pathways to success, and show them they don’t have to pursue them alone."
Since its integration into University Undergraduate Academic Advising in May 2024, Waypoints has already helped 31 students find new academic paths — students who may otherwise have been lost in the system.
"Thirty-one students may not sound like a lot, but that’s 31 students who now have a plan and a path forward," Elliott says. "This program is about more than just academics. It’s about helping students understand that they still belong here and are capable of finishing what they started.
As the program grows, Waypoints is focused on providing students with the guidance, resources and time they need to overcome academic challenges. This crucial bridge gives Boilermakers the support they need to regain momentum and successfully complete their degree.
Malini Nair
Communication Assistant for Teaching and Learning
tlcoms@purdue.edu