Gilman Scholarship: Scholarly Potential and Life Changing Opportunities

Thursday, Jan 29 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Explore NISO-coordinated scholarships with special attention to the scholarships related to Asia. Hear from recent Gilman Program recipients about their experiences studying abroad in Singapore and Taiwan.

Guest Speakers:

The National and International Scholarship Office (NISO) at Purdue works with students to develop their scholarly potential and pursue life-changing, career-building experiences by guiding motivated students with world-changing ideas through the process of applying for 14 scholarships in NISO’s portfolio, most of which require campus nomination through the office.

Brogan Holt is a junior in Integrated Business and Engineering. 
In May 2025, Brogan studied Business Mandarin Chinese and global teamwork from the perspective of East Asian corporate culture at National Taiwan Normal University through the Gilman Scholarship Program.

Kendall Lutz is a senior in Mechanical Engineering. In May 2025, Kendall studied Bioinspired Materials and Structures in Singapore through the Gilman Scholarship Program.

Leah Criss is the Scholar Development Advisor for NISO. 
As a former Fulbright Taiwan English Teaching Assistant, Leah is passionate about connecting students to opportunities in Asia.

Co-sponsors: This Lunch & Learn session is generously co-sponsored by the National and International Scholarships Office.

 From Student to Standout: 
Navigating Personal Branding

Thursday, Feb 05 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Explore how to hone your narrative and purpose, connect with the stories of Boilermakers, and apply your personal brand for opportunities at Purdue and beyond.

Guest Speaker: 

Thendral Kamal is a senior studying Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering and Political Science (BSAAE’26) at Purdue University. Since age 13, she has worked toward her dream of becoming the first Indian woman to set foot on Mars. 

Her passion to pursue a career in aerospace solidified when she designed and flew a reduced-gravity experiment onboard a parabolic flight, at age 16. This experience has propelled her into industry roles at Delta Air Lines in aircraft structural support, and at SES Satellites in space sustainability. 

As Purdue’s first international Brooke Owens Fellow, Thendral advocated for STEM outreach in rural American communities at the White House. Her advocacy and leadership have drawn recognition from former VP Kamala Harris, Vogue, and the Society of Women Engineers, which recently named her an Outstanding Collegiate Member. 

A dynamic storyteller and speaker, Thendral has captivated audiences across the globe with her journey, from delivering her first TEDx talk, ‘We Choose to Go to Mars,’ in Dubai, to presenting the Neil Armstrong Space Prize in Washington, D.C. Today, she continues to engage thousands of followers on social media, inspiring the next generation to dream beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

Local Businesses Panel: Self-made, Community-rooted Entrepreneurship

Thursday, Feb 12 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Ask how local businesses establish themselves, 
identify and serve needs, find personal satisfaction, and 
continue operating in the greater Lafayette community.

Guest Speakers:

• Don Dennis,
Co-Owner of Rat Pak Venue & Mobile DJs 
• Jack Hsiao,
Founder of
Latea (CA, CO, IL, IN) 
• Amy Hysong, CAM,
Property Manager at
The Landing Apartments 
• Tina Minjares,
Owner
of Banh Mi & Polished Nail Bar 
• Viviana Salazar
Co-Owner of G&V Charcuterie and
Freelance Marketer for Mama Ines  

Co-sponsors: This Lunch & Learn session is generously co-sponsored by Purdue Graduate Student Government.

Branding Heritage: Exploring the Economic and Linguistic Vitality of Little Saigon

Thursday, Feb 19 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Journey through the vibrant Little Saigon, a Vietnamese enclave in California, to explore how commercial signage reflects economic vitality and the subtle balance of business growth and cultural preservation.

Guest Speaker: 

Nguyen Huu Bao Le is a PhD Candidate in the Language and Literacy Education Program at Purdue University. Nguyen's research examines how linguistic landscapes reflect language policies and identity. As a Bilsland Fellow placed at the AAARCC, Nguyen leads the Language & Conversation programs to foster intercultural communication and language learning. Originally from Vietnam, he offers a unique 'insider-outsider' lens, examining how communities negotiate heritage and modernity through the commercial display of language, culture, and economic vitality within urban public spheres. 

TBA

Thursday, Feb 26 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Description for Event 5 goes here.

TBA

Thursday, Mar 05 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

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Healing Beyond the Therapy Room: Stories, Snacks, and Psychological Health

Thursday, Mar 12 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AAARCC, 915 5th St

Reflect on how food, storytelling, and psychology intersect to support psychological health, challenge stigma, and build connection across cultures.

Guest Speaker:

Mohamad A. Almakky (MA, MEd) is a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Intern, Purdue CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). Mohamad is pursuing his doctoral degree in clinical psychology at the University of Indianapolis. He is a lecturer, life coach, and founder of nBakes granola bars. His interest in psychology began at age 12 and grew through years of teaching and clinical trauma-focused work. A devoted coffee enthusiast, he hopes to open a community-centered coffee chain in Saudi Arabia. His YouTube vlogs reflect his experience as an international student in the U.S., using storytelling to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about psychological health.

Student Entrepreneurship Expo: Showcasing Boilermaker Creativity

Thursday, Mar 26 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | AARCC, 915 5th St

Connect with student entrepreneurs to discover 
ways to apply personal, cultural, and economic interests towards starting a business while balancing academic life.

Business Showcase Sign-up: 

Calling all student entrepreneurs!  We are inviting any current Purdue undergraduate or graduate students interested in showcasing their services, products, brand, and entrepreneurship experiences. Students who are interested in presenting about their entrepreneurship journey should apply by Sunday, February 15 at aaarcc.short.gy/expoapp 

Sign-up Here

Student presenters will be sharing reflections on their entrepreneurship experiences, stories of their business and brand, and their journey of making: art, food, media, space, technology, community, and more. All student presenters will be featured in AAARCC’s Spring 2026 MADE, an AAARCC student entrepreneurship zine and expo recap, with information about the presenters, their businesses, and ways to reach out in the future.    

Co-sponsors: 

The Student Entrepreneurship Expo is part of the AAARCC Spring 2026 Lunch and Learn series and is co-sponsored by Purdue Graduate Student Government. 

TBA

Thursday, Apr 02 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Description for Event 9 goes here.

TBA

Thursday, Apr 09 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Description for Event 10 goes here.

Lunar New Year, observed by over 2 billion people around the world, is a 15-day celebration marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar.

The AAARCC hosts one of the largest Lunar New Year events in Indiana for all students to engage in their unique backgrounds, learn with peers about the ways different cultures express traditions, celebrate art and community, and communicate across differences.

Host an Activity Table

We encourage registered student organizations and campus units from the Purdue West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses to host an activity table! The activity tables showcase historical and modern Lunar New Year and spring-month festivities through exchanging crafts, games, languages, and traditions with other students.

The AAARCC will collaborate with participating organizations to plan activity tables that include an activity, giveaway, and reflection component.

Deadline: Friday, January 16

Join the Celebration Team

We wouldn't be able to host a successful Lunar New Year Celebration without the help of student volunteers! This is a great opportunity for students to connect with peers and positively impact the Boilermaker community.

Student volunteers will develop skills in photography, customer service, event management, facilitating reflections, and more. All volunteers will undergo an onboarding process, so prior experience is not required.

Faculty Note: Please share this opportunity with students that you interact with or classes that you teach. If you would like to assign this volunteer opportunity as part of your class, please email us at aaarcc@purdue.edu.

Deadline: Sunday, February 1