This Is Purdue

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Dimitri Peroulis, senior vice president for partnerships and online at Purdue and the Reilly Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. As an executive leader, he guides the university’s online programs and the offices of Industry Partnerships, Global Partnerships and Engagement. He's also an expert on Purdue’s innovative degrees and courses for workforce development and advancement that prepare students to stay “future-ready.” And he brings a wealth of technical knowledge and teaching experience to the ever-evolving higher ed landscape. In this episode, you will: Hear about Purdue’s strategic relationships with corporate partners like Eli Lilly and Company and Wabash and how they’re enhancing student workforce preparation through research, internships and alumni mentorship. Discover what it means to be “future-ready” and what experiences students need to be flexible, resilient problem-solvers as they enter a changing workforce. Learn more about Purdue University Online’s new and expanded degree programs and microcredentials that didn’t exist 10 years ago, including the first and only ABET-accredited AI certifications and microelectronics and semiconductors certifications. Explore how these unique virtual programs and certificates are helping thousands of students balance their lives as full-time professionals and thrive in the classroom and industry experiences. Find out more about Dimitri’s journey growing up and studying in Greece to later winning Purdue’s Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. You don’t want to miss this episode with an award-winning educator and thought leader who’s helping empower Purdue students with the skills they need to solve today’s toughest challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Matt Butler, the senior associate commissioner and chief academic officer for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and Brent Yeagy, president and CEO of Wabash National Corp. Matt is a Purdue College of Liberal Arts alum and a higher education and workforce expert, previously serving as a senior policy advisor for former Gov. Eric Holcomb. Now he works to ensure that Indiana’s postsecondary offerings are meeting current and future workforces where they are. Brent has spearheaded strategic direction and operations for Wabash since 2018. As a campus partner and Purdue College of Engineering alum, he’s seen firsthand how Boilermakers are driving innovation and excellence at scale. And today – in an intriguing roundtable discussion – they’re diving into a hot-button issue: Is college still worth it? In this episode, you will: Hear why a college degree remains crucial, now more than ever, empowering students to grow and plan for their futures. Discover why a Purdue degree is an invaluable investment from both industry and government perspectives. Learn how Purdue’s continued frozen tuition benefits bottom lines for Indiana students and families, addresses student debt, and sets a national standard. Understand what traits and experiences top employers are seeking from new graduates and why Purdue’s role as a premier land-grant research institution is key to providing students with well-rounded opportunities. Gain insights into Purdue and Wabash’s strategic relationship and how it’s delivering top-tier sustainability research and innovation in the transportation industry. Find out how the university’s evolving offerings and the state’s higher ed initiatives overall are enhancing the ROI for students and families. You don’t want to miss this timely episode with Boilermakers who are making great strides in Indiana higher ed and industry innovation to provide a wealth of academic and professional opportunities for current and future college students! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Jeanne Boyd, executive director of sport management and senior advisor to the provost. Jeanne is a leader in the sports industry. As the former managing director of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, she leverages her unique experience and insights to pioneer Purdue University’s exciting new master’s program in sport management. In this episode you will: Learn more about the role this industry expert plays in an exciting new interdisciplinary master’s program in sport management, which has offerings in both West Lafayette and Indianapolis Hear what Jeanne has to say about the wide variety of careers available to graduates of this program like sports marketing, venue management, AI and technology in sport — not to mention all the hands-on learning opportunities with Purdue Athletics, Indiana Sports Corp and others Find out the range of disciplines, from communications to technology to education, that students can specialize in Discover what makes Indianapolis such a unique ecosystem and the perfect host for large sporting events — and why that’s great for students Go behind the scenes of the NCAA tournament and March Madness as Jeanne discusses her previous role and everything it takes to put on one of the largest collegiate sporting events of the year Don’t miss this episode that dives into our new sport management program and what it takes to succeed in the sports industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Cara Putman, clinical associate professor at Purdue University and director of the Daniels School of Business’ Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business. Cara is a visionary Boilermaker and leader in many fields — she graduated from college at 20 years old, earned a JD and MBA, and is an award-winning author. She’s called Purdue home for over 20 years and has dedicated her life to being an educator and mentor to hundreds of students at the Daniels School. In this episode, you will: Hear about Cara’s education journey from her hometown of North Platte, Nebraska, to law school to Purdue, and her successes along the way, including being a first-generation college student Learn what first sparked her passions for law, politics and education Discover how mentors inspired her to become a force for good and why she wants to do the same for students at Purdue Find out about the study abroad programs she’s led and business classes she’s piloted at the Daniels School, including a core ethics course for undergraduate students Gain insights into her incredible work at the Brock-Wilson Center, including how she’s helped grow the ambassador program from dozens to hundreds and guided students during their transition to the professional world Discover how she hopes the business world will evolve in the years to come and how she’s preparing Boilermakers to tackle real-world ethical challenges Hear about her experience as an accomplished fiction author, why she started writing as a teenager and how it helps energize her work at Purdue You don’t want to miss this exciting episode with a Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award-winning professor who’s making a global impact for Boilermakers in business! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Alex Psomas, assistant professor of computer science in Purdue University’s College of Science. Alex is an expert in machine learning and artificial intelligence. He utilizes these tools to help solve societal issues like food insecurity by outsourcing decision-making to AI — starting right here in Indiana. In this episode, you will: Gain key insights on AI and machine learning and see how algorithms have rapidly evolved and what it means for you. Learn about his collaboration with the Indy Hunger Network and how he automated the redistribution of rejected food away from landfills and into food pantries. Hear about the use of open source code, which can help other organizations around the country automate the distribution of vital resources like food. Discover how Purdue’s pioneering computer science program and the Purdue Computes initiative are at the forefront of multidisciplinary AI research. Hear about Alex’s journey from his home country of Greece to advancing his career in the U.S. and eventually becoming a Boilermaker. Explore Alex’s encouraging approach to mentoring his students and how he’s committed to getting them excited about research. Find out how awards from the National Science Foundation and Google have accelerated his research, forged collaborations with other faculty and inspired future work. Don’t miss this episode featuring a Purdue professor and researcher who is using AI to fight hunger and support food pantries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Eric Hall (BS multidisciplinary engineering ’95), senior technical director at Disney Live Entertainment. Eric recently celebrated 30 years at Disney, and he’s instrumental in the safety, execution and enchantment behind iconic fireworks shows like “Epcot Forever” and “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.” In this magical episode of “This Is Purdue,” you will: Hear how Eric’s hands-on experiences in the theatre engineering program, part of Purdue’s Colleges of Engineering and Liberal Arts, prepared him for a career in live entertainment. Explore the day-to-day life of a 30-year Disney veteran, from the innovative live show processes to the technical, behind-the-scenes details. Find out more about the parks’ rigorous safety protocols and the training Disney implements to protect its visitors and cast members. Learn why Eric is committed to mentoring young Boilermakers, specifically in the multidisciplinary engineering program, and giving students the tools and guidance they need to succeed in their own live entertainment careers. Get the inside scoop into future shows coming to some of the most beloved Disney parks. Don’t miss this episode featuring our first Disney Boilermaker, who is helping bring enchantment to millions of fans each year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices