- For questions regarding applying for external fellowships: trainee-funding@purdue.edu
- For questions regarding OGSPS fellowships or managing awarded fellowships: fellowships@purdue.edu
- For questions regarding assistantships: gradfunding@purdue.edu
Melissa Franks, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies
Dr. Franks is responsible for Graduate Funding and Fellowships and Graduate Programs. Dr. Franks also is a faculty member in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, and she is the Director of the Center for Families.
Julie Hancock
Lead Operations Administrator
Julie serves as an advisor on graduate staff appointment and graduate enrollment policies, developing resources and streamlining processes to improve communication and administrative efficiency. As a central point of contact for faculty, staff, human resources, and students, she provides expert guidance to ensure consistent and effective administration across the university.
Josie Hull
Manager of Fellowships
Josie helps manage fellowships that have already been awarded, working with faculty, business office staff, university personnel, and external sponsors. She provides assistance to business offices and payroll centers on the eForm 90 system to support the fellowship setup process. Josie also serves as the coordinating official for various external fellowship programs, including the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program and the Ford Foundation Fellowships.
Kyra Leal
Associate Fellowship Operations Administrator
Kyra supports the day-to-day operations of the Graduate Funding and Fellowships team. She serves as a primary point of contact for fellowship inquiries, working closely with faculty, staff, and students to ensure clear communication and compliance with university and sponsor policies. Kyra assists in managing fellowship awards, overseeing data management and reporting, coordinating nomination and award processes, maintaining fellowship resources and the office website, and organizing events and training for fellowship recipients.
Heather Oakley
Director of Financial Affairs
Heather serves as the Director of Financial Affairs for the OGSPS, Libraries, and the John Martinson Honors College. In this role, she oversees financial strategy and business operations across these units, ensuring alignment with institutional goals. Heather provides critical financial analysis and business support to advance the mission, initiatives, and day-to-day operations of each unit.
Lauren Trondsen
Director of Fellowships
Lauren leads Purdue’s efforts to secure prestigious external fellowships for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. In collaboration with our Fellowship Writing Coaches, Lauren provides workshops throughout the year on writing successful fellowship applications, advises students and postdocs directly on their applications, and administers internal selection processes for fellowships requiring institutional nomination. She also supports development and implementation of OGSPS fellowship policy to best serve the university and fellowship recipients.
Fellowship Writing Coaches
Our team of graduate student fellowship writing coaches facilitates many of our workshops throughout the year and offers one-on-one advising and feedback on fellowship application materials. To connect with a coach, please contact trainee-funding@purdue.edu.
Rachel Higbee
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
PhD Candidate, Engineering Education
Haleigh Nyberg
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
PhD Student, Planetary Science
Levi Reyes Premer
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering
