{"id":971,"date":"2026-09-14T14:05:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T14:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/?page_id=971"},"modified":"2026-11-11T03:59:24","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T03:59:24","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"modal-ready\"><div  class=\"purdue-home-cta-banner purdue-home-teritary-hero \">\n            <div class=\"image\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Students walk under a Purdue arch on campus\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2025_RJR8896_About-Us_Hero_1920.jpg\"\/>\n                    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"section has-image-background has-padding-top-large has-padding-bottom-large \">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <h1 class=\"second-level-page-heading purdue-home-teritary-hero__header\"><strong>About<\/strong> <strong>Us<\/strong><\/h1>\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-teritary-hero__content\">\n                \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Big goals are built through small steps. We\u2019re here to help you navigate challenges, build meaningful connections and create your own path to success at Purdue University.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"section has-padding-bottom-small \">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who We Are<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every student arrives at Purdue University with a different story. Your experiences, goals and path to Purdue are uniquely yours. And wherever you&#8217;re starting, you don&#8217;t have to navigate your college journey on your own.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boilermaker Opportunity Program Plus (BOP+) connects you with programs, people and opportunities to help you succeed at Purdue. Through early outreach in Indiana high schools, the Don and Liz Thompson MEP Program, Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program and First Generation Student Support, you&#8217;ll find communities that support your goals and help you build confidence along the way.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What makes BOP+ different is how closely our programs connect to your Purdue experience. We work directly with Purdue&#8217;s academic colleges, so the support you receive is connected to your major, your advisors and your path forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As students&#8217; needs evolve, BOP+ will evolve as well \u2014 creating new opportunities designed to help more students thrive at Purdue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter your background, you&#8217;ll find people here who are invested in your success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div  class=\"section has-padding-top-small \">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n                \n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns page-layout-columns columns is-multiline is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-full-tablet page-layout-main is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why We\u2019re Here<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Purdue is a land-grant university. That&#8217;s not just history \u2014 it&#8217;s a commitment to the idea that a great education belongs to anyone willing to work for it.&nbsp;<strong>You came to Purdue for a reason.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe you&#8217;re pursuing a dream you&#8217;ve had for years. Maybe you&#8217;re creating opportunities your family never had. Maybe you&#8217;re still discovering what&#8217;s possible.&nbsp;Whatever brought you here, success isn&#8217;t about having everything figured out from day one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s learning who to ask when you need help. It&#8217;s finding mentors who encourage you. It&#8217;s building relationships, overcoming challenges and taking one step forward at a time. Those experiences are part of every student&#8217;s journey, and you shouldn&#8217;t have to navigate them alone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>That&#8217;s where BOP+ comes in.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We help connect you with the resources, communities and opportunities that support your goals. Our work starts early, helping you envision college as a real possibility and prepare for what comes next. Once you&#8217;re here, we help you build connections, develop confidence and find opportunities that support both your academic and professional growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Along the way, you&#8217;ll build skills, expand your network and discover new possibilities for your future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earning a degree is about more than graduation. It&#8217;s about creating opportunities that stay with you long after you leave Purdue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column column is-one-quarter-desktop is-full-tablet is-full-mobile page-layout-sidebar is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section  class=\"purdue-home-link-cards \">\n\n    <div class=\"section has-none-background\">\n                    <div class=\"container header-wrap\">\n                <div class=\"columns is-mulitline align-bottom\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                                                    <div class=\"tagged-header-container  tagged-header-container--gold\">\n                                <h2 class=\"tagged-header tagged-header--gold\">Meet Our Leadership Team<\/h2>\n                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"column is-narrow mobile-hidden\">\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"container\">\n                                <div class=\"purdue-home-link-cards__cards\">\n                        <div class=\"columns is-multiline\">\n                                                            <div class=\"column is-4-desktop is-half-tablet\">\n                                    <article class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\" data-link=\"\/bop-plus\/janiah-downing-bio\/\" data-target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"card-image\"><figure class=\"image is-square\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Portrait of Ja'Niah Downing\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Downing-JaNiah-v2_272.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"flex-container flex-container--faculty\"><h3 ><a class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-name modal-link\" href=\"\/bop-plus\/janiah-downing-bio\/\" target=_blank aria-label=\"Ja\u2019Niah Downing bio \">Ja\u2019Niah Downing<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-titleline\">Director, Boilermaker Opportunity Program Plus<\/p><\/div><\/article>                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"column is-4-desktop is-half-tablet\">\n                                    <article class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\" data-link=\"\/bop-plus\/breejha-quezada-bio\/\" data-target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"card-image\"><figure class=\"image is-square\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Portrait of Breejha Quezada\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Quezada_Breejha_272.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"flex-container flex-container--faculty\"><h3 ><a class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-name modal-link\" href=\"\/bop-plus\/breejha-quezada-bio\/\" target=_blank aria-label=\"Breejha Quezada bio \">Breejha Quezada<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-titleline\">Director, Don and Liz Thompson MEP Program<\/p><\/div><\/article>                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"column is-4-desktop is-half-tablet\">\n                                    <article class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\" data-link=\"\/bop-plus\/darren-henry-bio\" data-target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"card-image\"><figure class=\"image is-square\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/marcom.purdue.edu\/app\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cropped-cropped-DW540158-HDR.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"flex-container flex-container--faculty\"><h3 ><a class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-name modal-link\" href=\"\/bop-plus\/darren-henry-bio\" target=_blank aria-label=\"Darren Henry bio \">Darren Henry<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-titleline\">Director, Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program<\/p><\/div><\/article>                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"column is-4-desktop is-half-tablet\">\n                                    <article class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\" data-link=\"\/bop-plus\/aleyah-cork-info\/\" data-target=\"_self\"><div class=\"card-image\"><figure class=\"image is-square\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aleyah Cork Portrait\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Aleyah-Cork.png\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"flex-container flex-container--faculty\"><h3 ><a class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-name modal-link\" href=\"\/bop-plus\/aleyah-cork-info\/\" target=_self aria-label=\"Aleyah Cork bio \">Aleyah Cork<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-titleline\">Associate Director, Boilermaker Opportunity Program Plus<\/p><\/div><\/article>                                <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"column is-4-desktop is-half-tablet\">\n                                    <article class=\"purdue-home-cta-card purdue-home-cta-card--stack\" data-link=\"\/bop-plus\/james-borom-bio\" data-target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"card-image\"><figure class=\"image is-square\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Portrait of James Borom\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/EO_James-Borom_272.jpg\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"flex-container flex-container--faculty\"><h3 ><a class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-name modal-link\" href=\"\/bop-plus\/james-borom-bio\" target=_blank aria-label=\"James Borom bio \">James Borom<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"purdue-home-cta-grid__card-titleline\">Associate Director, Early Outreach Program<\/p><\/div><\/article>                                <\/div>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                \n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block \">\n    <div class=\"section has-gold-background\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__container\">\n                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__image-container\">\n                                        <div class=\"glide purdue-home-cta-card-block__image-slider\">\n                        <div class=\"glide__track\" data-glide-el=\"track\">\n                            <div class=\"glide__slides\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"glide__slide\">\n                                        <figure class=\"image\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2025_PI_RJR5857-1_BOPPlus_1600.png\" alt=\"Five students sitting together outside on campus\" \/>\n                                                                                    <\/figure>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__content-container\">\n                                                                <h2 class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__header\">Find Your Path<\/h2>\n                                            \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you&#8217;re in middle school exploring your options, preparing to start at Purdue or looking for support as you pursue your goals, we have programs designed to help you take the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-buttons purdue-home-buttons--left \">\n    <div class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">\n                    <div class=\"\"><a class=\"purdue-home-button \" href=\"\/bop-plus\/programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Learn more about our programs (Opens in a new tab)\">Learn more about our programs<\/a><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block \">\n    <div class=\"section has-gold-background\">\n        <div class=\"container\">\n            <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__container purdue-home-cta-card-block__container--reversed\">\n                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__image-container\">\n                                        <div class=\"glide purdue-home-cta-card-block__image-slider\">\n                        <div class=\"glide__track\" data-glide-el=\"track\">\n                            <div class=\"glide__slides\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"glide__slide\">\n                                        <figure class=\"image\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2025_KAL_8879_BOP-Plus-Give_Feature_1600.jpg\" alt=\"Students listen intently during a class lecture\" \/>\n                                                                                    <\/figure>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__content-container\">\n                                                                <h2 class=\"purdue-home-cta-card-block__header\">Support Our Programs<\/h2>\n                                            \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When students have the right support, they can achieve remarkable things. Help more Boilermakers take the next step toward their goals with a gift to our programs.<\/p>\n\n\n<div  class=\"purdue-home-buttons purdue-home-buttons--left \">\n    <div class=\"purdue-home-button-list\">\n                    <div class=\"\"><a class=\"purdue-home-button \" href=\"\/bop-plus\/give\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Give today (Opens in a new tab)\">Give today<\/a><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-971","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=971"}],"version-history":[{"count":51,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2630,"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/971\/revisions\/2630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bop-plus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}