Student Life Prepares for Launch at Purdue in Indianapolis

Signage that reads "Boiler Up" mixed in with several other words and phrases, such as "Life", "Pacers", and a silhouette of a basketball player going for a dunk.

Purdue’s next giant leap has launched with the opening of Purdue in Indianapolis, a new extension of the flagship campus in West Lafayette that will deliver the excellence the university is known for. Purdue Student Life has prepared to deliver all the pieces of Purdue – housing, activities, arts, people, programs and more – that will help Purdue students in Indianapolis find their fit on campus.

Purdue in Indianapolis offers Boilermakers the opportunity to engage with the unique features of Indianapolis, such as career engagement opportunities with employers, motorsports and the urban culture and environment. As part of the Purdue West Lafayette ecosystem, Purdue students in Indianapolis have access to student organizations, activities and support resources both in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. A long-term master plan is already under development for the campus.

“We’re creating something new and uniquely Purdue,” says Sara Dickey, associate dean of students, Purdue in Indianapolis. “The Indianapolis location provides new and exciting opportunities for us to deliver an enriching Student Life experience.”

Dickey serves as the inaugural associate dean of students and leads the on-campus Student Life team at Purdue in Indianapolis. Dickey joined Purdue in November 2023 after previously serving as an associate dean of students at IUPUI. She brings a wealth of experience to the Student Life team with a background in residence life and housing, student conduct and student advocacy and support at IUPUI and several private institutions.

The Student Life team in Indianapolis also includes student support generalists and an administrative assistant to support SAO and ODOS functions. Dickey and Student Life leaders in West Lafayette have been working to finalize the myriad of details that will ensure an enriching experience beyond the classroom for Purdue students in Indianapolis.

An example of a furnished room with a colored accent wall. A residential experience is a key component of Student Life efforts in Indianapolis. University Residences provides housing in two facilities, one focused on a traditional residence hall experience and another featuring apartment-style living. University Residences offers the same experiences and resources found on the West Lafayette campus, including hall clubs, leadership opportunities, residential life staff, learning communities and more.

Purdue in Indianapolis is partnering with IU Indianapolis on campus dining, campus recreation and student health services to support the residential campus experiences. Meal plan options are available as part of the campus dining partnership.

Purdue in Indianapolis is also expected to boast a vibrant culture of student organizations. Purdue students in Indianapolis can join Purdue student organizations on both the Indianapolis and West Lafayette campuses as well as IU Indianapolis student organizations. One student organization that will connect students on the West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses is Purdue Student Government (PSG), which has already passed a resolution to include student representatives from Indianapolis in student government. A fall involvement fair will help students connect with their interests.

“Students will help us continue to build this area based on their interests,” Dickey says. “There are numerous opportunities for students to shape what they want their experience to look like.”

To support student well-being, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has a permanent presence on the Indianapolis campus with therapists on-site. Crisis management, group therapy and other resources will also be available. CAPS also offers online services.

All Student Life programming in Indianapolis connects with the Steps to Leaps initiative, which focuses on promoting and enhancing holistic well-being. Programs such as Purdue’s award-winning CliftonStrengths for Students® tool, designed to help students understand and develop their strengths, will be part of Student Life’s efforts to promote growth in the five pillars of Steps to Leaps – well-being, leadership, impact, building networks and grit/persistence.

A myriad of details and programs remain under development to enhance the experience of Purdue students in Indianapolis. Additional details on Student Life programs, initiatives and offerings will be available in the coming months.