Wow! Where do I start? We have so much to celebrate, and the future of our college could not be brighter. Allow me to share some thoughts on several exciting topics: enrollment, transformation, student success, faculty hires, a potential new building and the Sesquicentennial.
- We are on the verge of crushing our Purdue Moves enrollment target. When the census is released, we expect to show a record number of new beginners this year (over 900) and to have grown total enrollment by over 1,000 students since our transformation began five years ago. This may be the best metric for measuring the popularity of our programs and our transformed learning experience.
- We are making great progress in achieving our Purdue Moves goals to transform the undergraduate learning experience. Some academic units are on track to complete all objectives this year. Our faculty have recently made big strides in several areas, especially in horizontally and vertically integrating learning activities throughout the curricula and in transitioning from traditional “sage on the stage” lectures to instructional techniques that feature more active learning. When all 10 elements of our transformation are coupled, the Polytechnic learning experience is powerful and truly unique.
- Our enrollment growth and our successes in transforming the learning experience would be hollow if student success did not follow. Fortunately, there is great news here too. Placement rates released earlier this year put our college among the top at the University. When official numbers are released next month, we likewise expect strong graduation and retention rates for the Polytechnic.
- Big numbers: 24 new faculty at West Lafayette and three at our locations throughout the state bring renewed vibrancy to Purdue Polytechnic. I hope you are as thrilled as I am to have such an influx of talent. Please do everything you can to ensure they have an environment to be successful!
- The Board of Trustees approved the University’s biennium request to the State that included funding for a new “Gateway” building shared by the Polytechnic and College of Engineering. Located adjacent to Knoy Hall, this new facility will allow us to not only provide our students state-of-the-art instructional spaces, but also to forge interdisciplinary collaborative opportunities with our Engineering partners. We will learn during the spring semester whether the State approves the budget request. If approved, we can expect to break ground in 2020.
- Finally, the University’s Sesquicentennial celebration kicks off next month, and November is the month designated for the Polytechnic to take the stage. Details of how our college and academic units will be highlighted are still being discussed. I encourage everyone to participate and contribute in any way possible to ensure we shine during November.
It is an exciting, if not breathtaking, time to be a member of the Polytechnic team. Thanks for all you have done to bring the college to great heights, and best wishes for a wonderful year!
