.Perspectives Publication
Welcome to Student Life's Perspectives. Perspectives is a magazine-style publication, released twice a year, that focuses on issues and events that have an impact on Student Life at Purdue.
In each issue we highlight different areas from across the division making an impact on our students, staff and academic partners.
Perspectives Spring 2026 Featured Stories
A Word from our Vice Provost
One of our greatest endeavors in Student Life is to meet students where they are. That doesn’t just mean offering the programming and events they want — it means doing so in a way that inspires them to learn and grow beyond the classroom. We want to support our students in the great endeavors they pursue academically and personally.
Cultural centers join Student Life portfolio
The Student Life portfolio now includes Purdue’s five cultural centers: the Black Cultural Center (BCC); the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center; the Latino Cultural Center; the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Center; and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center. The centers serve as connection points where all students can find community, attend events, learn about and engage with different cultures..
New programmatic framework helps students thrive
Student Life has established a new programmatic framework to further support students while enabling them to flourish on their unique personal and academic paths. Always focused on examining student belonging and engagement through the lens of environments and systems that can influence every Boilermaker, Student Life has created three overarching frameworks to guide programming and student engagement to better enhance student development.
Building leaders within a new programmatic framework
A student manager in a dining court. A resident assistant. The president of a student organization. No matter the role, the goal is the same — to learn to lead on campus and beyond. Departments within Student Life are working to develop student leaders through a new programmatic framework of leadership being implemented, led by the Roger C. Stewart Office of Student Leadership, Engagement and Community (SLEC).
Student organizations are forging ahead thanks to the Trailblazer Fund
During its inaugural funding cycle, the new Student Trailblazer Fund distributed grants exceeding $70,000 to 21 registered student organizations (RSOs) in Indianapolis. Purdue students in Indianapolis can access up to $5,000 for capital equipment and $2,000 for program supplies through the new fund. David Umulis, Purdue senior vice provost for Indianapolis, announced the initiative this fall with goals of increasing the number of RSOs in Indianapolis, supporting student-driven interests and activities, and strengthening connections with related groups in West Lafayette.
Student Life Recognitions
Student Life would like to recognize areas within the division that have made an impact both to students and the greater campus community. In this issue we recognize Margie Jones, Ryan Cohenour, Will Evans, and Leslie Charters.
Student Life Recognizes Impact Award Winners
The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life has recognized outstanding alumni and friends as recipients of the 2026 Student Life Impact Awards. Honorees were presented with their awards at the Student Life Honors Awards Banquet.