Exploratory Studies Explore. Discover. Decide

Mary Beth Lencke

Mary Beth Lencke

Assistant Director

Office: Young Hall (YONG), 6th floor
Phone: (765) 494-0843
Email: mblencke@purdue.edu

Hometown

Born in Danville, Indiana. Raised in Brownsburg, Indiana. Moved around for awhile, before realizing Indiana wasn’t so bad after all.

Education

B.L.A., Landscape Architecture, Ball State University

Registered landscape architect in the state of Indiana

Experience

  • Office of Admissions campus tour guide and student worker at Ball State
  • Assistant Director of Admissions at Purdue
  • Academic Advisor in Exploratory Studies since 2004
  • Work with the Exploratory Studies Honors Learning Community & the EDPS 105 Fellows
  • Course coordinator for EDPS 10500 – Academic & Career Planning

Awards

  • Purdue Learning Community Outstanding Advocate Award (2005-06 and 2007-08)
  • PACADA Outstanding Academic Advisor Award Winner (2011)
  • NACADA Outstanding Academic Advisor Honorable Mention (2011)
  • Purdue Learning Community Exceptional Event Planner Award (2013-14)
  • Purdue Learning Community Student Impact Award (2016-17 and 2019-20)
  • Purdue Learning Community Momentum Keeper Award (2017-2018)
  • Purdue BRAVO Award for ongoing development and dedication to EDPS 105 (2018)
  • Purdue BRAVO Award for creating an impact for both the department and our course with the EDPS Fellows program (2019)
  • Purdue Learning Community Academic Connection Award (2020-21)

Advice for Boilermakers

I love school – that’s why I work at one! And you should too while you’re here at Purdue. Go to class. Do the work. Get to know your professors (and me!). Stay on campus during the weekends. Take care of yourself. Find something you’re passionate about. Discover who you are. All students are inherently undecided… just go with it. Embrace and celebrate your exploration! Enjoy your independence, but act responsibly. Join a club, a sport, a student organization, or some group that interests you. Just do SOMETHING. And oh yeah… have fun!

Fun Facts

I’m a huge geek about many things: Marvel, Star Wars, movies in general, Scrabble (I win every time), books, books, and more books. I’m an auntie, with one niece and six (!) nephews. My family is super close and kind of weird. I’m the oldest of 4 siblings who really like each other. We quote from movies and TV shows (like FRIENDS) in everyday conversation. We also get into shouting matches over video games. I think my dog Rosie is the greatest. I apologize now if I repeatedly show you pictures of her. Tell me about your pets too! I love Christmas, and I start listening to Xmas music in September. I also drink way too much Diet Coke. I am living proof that your college major does NOT have to match your career. That should make you feel less stressed right there.