Community Impact Summit Award Winners – 2025
On March 4, 2025, the Purdue Office of Engagement held its inaugural Purdue Community Impact Summit and Awards Luncheon. This event honors individuals and groups whose work has significantly elevated Purdue University’s community impact through engaged scholarship. The awards celebrate outstanding partnerships, innovative solutions to community challenges, and contributions that enhance Purdue’s national and international reputation.
Rising Star Awards
The Rising Star Award recognizes staff, students, assistant/associate, clinical/practice, and tenure-track professors that show tremendous potential when integrating community engagement in their teaching, research, and/or engagement efforts resulting in broader or community impact. This year, there were two recipients.
Dr. DeBoer’s work focuses on engineering education in crisis contexts, particularly empowering youth to become agents of change. She has established impactful partnerships with organizations like the Tumaini Innovation Center in Kenya, facilitating transformative learning experiences for youth. Through collaborative research projects, she has co-authored publications with community partners, demonstrating a commitment to reciprocal relationships and knowledge co-creation. Her work exemplifies engaged scholarship, bridging research and practice to improve access to education and create pathways for learners.
Dr. Deering’s expertise in produce safety translates into impactful community-engaged scholarship. She has fostered partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including growers, consumers, and international organizations. Her work on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) trainings and the development of a Food Safety Hub demonstrates her commitment to knowledge dissemination and capacity building. By actively engaging with community partners, she addresses critical needs, promotes excellence, and fosters economic development through improved food safety practices.
Engaged Unit Award
The Engaged Unit/Program Award honors a Purdue unit or program that integrates and leverages community engagement across all university mission areas: teaching, research, and engagement, resulting in broader community impact.
The School of Languages and Cultures (SLC) demonstrates a strong commitment to community engagement across all mission areas. Through programs like SPARK and Ayuda y Aprende, they provide transformative learning experiences for students while addressing community needs. Their partnership with Aprendiendo a Leer exemplifies engaged scholarship, promoting literacy and language development in the community. SLC actively collaborates with schools, organizations, and industries, fostering reciprocal relationships and contributing to cultural enrichment and community service.
JoAnn Miller Award
The JoAnn Miller Award recognizes local non-profits, schools, or government units partnering with Purdue to advance its teaching, research, and engagement mission, resulting in broad community impact. Eligible organizations must be within 50 miles of a Purdue campus and have created mutually beneficial opportunities for students, staff, and faculty, excluding internships. The award honors JoAnn Miller, a champion of community engagement at Purdue.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis exemplifies exemplary community partnership through its collaboration with Purdue’s Themed Entertainment Design program. This partnership provides students with hands-on, transformative learning experiences, contributing to the museum’s mission while enhancing student learning. The collaboration fosters reciprocal relationships, benefiting both institutions through shared expertise and resources. Joint initiatives demonstrate a commitment to inclusive excellence, accessibility, and community engagement, resulting in enhanced programs, broader reach, and professional development opportunities
These awardees exemplify Purdue University’s commitment to engaged scholarship and community impact, setting a standard of excellence and innovation for future generations.