Perspectives Spring 2024

A Word from Our Vice Provost:

In Student Life, we know that well-being is critical to the success of Boilermakers and are committed to helping students grow during their time at Purdue. Well-being is a key pillar of our Steps to Leaps initiative, a collaborative, campus-wide effort focused on enhancing and promoting holistic well-being. This pillar is integrated into every aspect of Student Life – which includes housing, activities, arts, people, programs and more. By fostering student success inside and outside the classroom, Student Life helps students learn strategies to improve their well-being that provide the foundation for success.

We see examples of students thriving within this framework every day. Student leaders, such as Purdue Student Trustee Kevin Boes, found environments in Student Life where they could thrive and then make an impact on our campus community. You can read more about Kevin’s experiences.

Throughout our history, generations of Boilermakers have left their mark on the university by creating communities where students feel supported. One such organization is the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), a trailblazing endeavor that realized the dream of a national organization for Black engineering students, founded right here at Purdue. You can learn how the “Mother Chapter” is carrying forth the organization’s legacy.

Nearly every experience in Student Life contributes to becoming a lifelong Boilermaker and this includes student employment. We are lucky to have outstanding Purdue alumni within the Student Life professional ranks whose foundation for success and impact was rooted in their experiences as student employees.

Lifelong Boilermakers continue to give back to this generation of students through their ongoing support of Student Life programs. Bill and Barbara Rakosnik were inspired by their time as residents and their memories of attending formal dances to provide a generous donation to create new opportunities for today’s Boilermakers to enjoy similar experiences. Our Student Life Impact Award winners also exemplify this spirit with their impact on the campus community and communities around the world. Student Life departments and staff continue to make a similar impact.

Looking ahead to fall, 2024, we have an exciting opportunity to extend these opportunities to a new cohort of students at Purdue in Indianapolis. Translating all aspects of Student Life to Indianapolis is a challenging endeavor, but one we’re excited to provide in Indiana’s capitol. While many details are still coming together, we hope you’ll enjoy a preview of what’s to come on.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to create a community where Boilermakers can succeed and be well. Boiler up!