Our Staff & Students

David Bowker

David Bowker is the Director of the Office of Future Engineers at Purdue University. David is responsible for directing and implementing recruitment activities for the College of Engineering. Prior to being at Purdue, David spent three years as Recruitment Coordinator at Ivy Tech State College-Lafayette and a year advising in the School of Education at Purdue. David received his Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision in 1994 and his Master's degree in Higher Education Administration in 1997 from Purdue University. David is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and conducts workshops with students and staff across campus.

David has taught a variety of classes and currently is teaching Academic & Career planning at Purdue University. He has a passion for encouraging young people to find their niche and takes pride in being a small bridge on their pathway to success.David is the advisor to The Purdue Student Engineering Foundation (PSEF).

Although born in Detroit, David is truly a local product and a professed "townie," having grown up in Lafayette. Occasionally, he will toss out his very loose associations with Eminem or Axl Rose for "Street Cred" but very rarely does it come in handy on campus. David likes to stay fit by drinking lots of coffee (loves it) and teaching spin classes. If you’re (un)lucky, you just might hear him break into a song on your visit.

SELECT AWARDS, TEDX TALKS, & FEATURED ARTICLES

Meet a College Recruiter Who Didn't Love School, 2018

David Bowker, featured in the Forbes article, "How People With Learning Disabilities Handle Their Differences in the Workplace," discussed with contributing editor, Denise Brodey, about how he has turned his perceived weaknesses into his greatest strengths to succeed in the workplace. He also provided three tips for others to succeed too. 

College of Engineering Award of Excellence, Team Award, Office of Future Engineers, December 2016

Awarded for "their superb coordination and highly effective efforts as a team to devise and implement pioneering ideas in student recruitment, contributing to the overall acceptance rate and growth of women and diverse students to the College of Engineering."

Go to College Anywhere, David Bowker, TEDxLafayette, 2015

In this TEDx talk, David Bowker's passionate presentation centered on encouraging young people to find their niche and how he takes pride in being a small bridge on their pathway to success.

Amy Glenn

Amy is responsible for identifying and developing the strategic future of recruitment activities for OFE on behalf of the College of Engineering.

Born in Kansas, Amy lived in Nebraska and Iowa before her family settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she graduated high school. Having lived in the West Lafayette, Indiana area most of her adult life, Amy enjoys meeting new people and seeing new places as part of her role in OFE.

Being a First Generation college graduate, Amy is dedicated to inspiring the middle and high school students to stay engaged in math and science as well as learn more about the exciting career opportunities possible with a foundation in both. “It is a privilege being invited into middle and high school classrooms to share with students about the amazing and rewarding careers in engineering, and dispel the myths that many have about what it means to be an engineer. It is also an honor to collaborate and support middle school and high school teachers in inspiring students to see the relevance of math and science in everyday life and preparing for college."

As a Non-Traditional college graduate, Amy worked part-time as a secretary at Purdue while working on her bachelor's degree full-time. After graduation, Amy left campus to pursue a career in industry and realized she missed being involved in higher education and returned to Purdue. In 2008, Amy accepted the role as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Recruitment (College of Engineering). In 2011, the Office of Future Engineers was established as a department based on the cornerstones of Outreach, Recruitment, Student Leadership Development, and Alumni Connections; at which time Amy’s role transitioned to the Associate Director of OFE.

"As a member of OFE we are given the opportunity to share a journey in the lives of future students. From wide-eyed first time visitors to seeing those we have shared the years with walking around the fountain at graduation. I am thankful for every student and family that entrusts us to share in this part of their lives.”

SELECT AWARDS

Special Boilermaker Award, 2020

The Special Boilermaker Award, awarded by the Purdue Alumni Association, honors a member of the Purdue faculty or staff who has contributed significantly to the improvement of the quality of life and/or the betterment of the educational experience for a substantial number of Purdue students.

Amy received the award for her efforts in expanding undergraduate recruitment to encompass outreach, recruitment, retention and alumni engagement, resulting in the creation of the Office of Future Engineers. “She takes a large, well-known university and makes it a small and intimate event for parents to answer questions and calm fears.”

Leadership Lafayette Class 49 Graduate, 2020

Leadership Lafayette is dedicated to the development of the area and its individuals, utilizing experiential learning and promoting the importance that program participants represent the diverse fabric of our community and plan to give back through servant leadership.

Being selected, and participating as a member of Class 49, provided Amy an opportunity for continued leadership skill development while bridging the gap between Purdue's College of Engineering and the greater Lafayette/West Lafayette area.

College of Engineering PRIME Grant (Inaugural) Recipient, 2019

The Professional Renewal in Maximizing Excellence (PRIME) grant supports Purdue’s College of Engineering staff members who wish to pursue professional development activities that will contribute to achieving career goals. The grant recipient is reimbursed up to $1,500 and able to use up to five days for work-related professional development opportunities that could include career-enhancing courses or certifications, travel to professional conferences and other professional development activities.

As a recipient of the PRIME award, Amy was able to apply the funds to participate in Leadership Lafayette.

Growing Leaders National Leadership Award, 2017

Growing Leaders is a non-profit organization that partners with schools, colleges, athletic depts. and organizations to develop today’s emerging generation of leaders. They equip educators, employers, coaches, youth workers and parents to understand and connect with this generation, and offer resources to spark conversations and life-changing experiences with them.

Amy was selected for this award based on "her efforts in promoting student leadership opportunities within the Office of Future Engineers and across Purdue University, collaborating with the Krannert School of Management, Purdue Athletics, Purdue University Residences; as well as developing and hosting elective 'Habitudes' leadership programs for students in the College of Engineering,"

College of Engineering: Staff Team of Excellence Award- Office of Future Engineers, 2016

The purpose of the Staff Team of Excellence award is to recognize and encourage teamwork in the College of Engineering.

Awarded for: "their superb coordination and highly effective efforts as a team to devise and implement pioneering ideas in student recruitment, contributing to the overall acceptance rate and growth of women and diverse students to the College of Engineering."

College of Engineering: New Employee Award, 2010

The purpose of the New Employee award is to recognize, encourage, and promote a desire to contribute and to acquire new capabilities as a staff member of the College of Engineering specifically; and the University in general.

Awarded for her efforts in expanding visibility and increasing recruitment of new students into Purdue’s College of Engineering

Aurie Swartz

Aurie Swartz is the Assistant Director for the Office of Future Engineers. Having joined the team in August 2015, Aurie has worn many hats in his role with OFE over the years and currently oversees all marketing and communications efforts for the unit, as well as OFE's online outreach/recruitment efforts and some on-campus programs.

A Purdue alumnus (BA, Public Relations & Rhetorical Advocacy), Aurie was actively involved in recruiting and outreach as a student ambassador during his entire time on campus. It was through those experiences that he found his passion for recruiting and public speaking as a career. He was also heavily involved on campus as a member of the All-American Marching Band, the Wind Ensemble, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Liberal Arts Student Leadership Council, and the Purdue Institute for Civic Communication. He was a Floor Senator in Hillenbrand and Tarkington Residence Halls and a Resident Assistant for First Street Towers. At one point, Aurie held five campus jobs simultaneously in addition to his classes and involvement in student organizations.

Aurie is a native of a small town near Bartlesville, Oklahoma. After attending four different school districts in three different states, he graduated from high school near St. Louis, Missouri before ultimately moving to Indiana. Aurie had never even heard of Purdue University until late in his high school career, but he credits family that moved to the Indianapolis area for putting the university on his radar. After taking a campus tour during his senior year of high school, he knew immediately that it was the right place for him and has been at Purdue almost continuously since moving to campus as a freshman.

SELECT AWARDS 

Finalist, College of Engineering Staff Achievement Award, December 2020

"Aurie’s creativity and inquisitiveness with technology gave OFE the ability to pivot successfully from in-person to a virtual recruitment, while still meeting students’ needs, providing them with the same outstanding and authentic engagement."

Purdue Engineering Staff Leadership Academy (PESLA), January 2019 - January 2021

Part of a cohort of 12 staff from across the College of Engineering selected for the two-year professional development program. Learn more about PESLA here. 

College of Engineering Award of Excellence, Team Award, Office of Future Engineers, December 2016

Awarded for: "their superb coordination and highly effective efforts as a team to devise and implement pioneering ideas in student recruitment, contributing to the overall acceptance rate and growth of women and diverse students to the College of Engineering."

Lindsay Elias

Hometown: Lakeville, IN (though I consider West Lafayette my true hometown)
Degree: Currently working on my Bachelor's in Business Administration through Purdue Global
Interests: Leadership, learning, organizing, family, animals, reading, knitting and crocheting

SELECT AWARDS 

College of Engineering Award of Excellence, Administrative/Professional Customer Service Award, December 2016

Awarded for: "her flexibility and preparedness in navigating the ever-changing landscape of the Office of Future Engineers student recruitment efforts, providing quality customer service to a multitude of constituents and dedication to serving students interested in Purdue Engineering."

College of Engineering Award of Excellence, Team Award, Office of Future Engineers, December 2016

Awarded for: "their superb coordination and highly effective efforts as a team to devise and implement pioneering ideas in student recruitment, contributing to the overall acceptance rate and growth of women and diverse students to the College of Engineering."

Abbie Divish

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Year and Major: Senior, Environmental & Ecological Engineering
Minors: Environmental Politics and Policy, Sustainable Environments 
Campus Involvement: Ann Tweedale Cooperative, Society of Environmental and Ecological Engineers, intramural sports, Paint Crew, research with Dr. Hutzel, Peer Teaching Assistant for EEE 355

Alvaro Malaga

Hometown: Madrid, Spain
Year and Major: Junior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minor: Management
Campus Involvement: ENGR 131 & 132 teaching assistant, PSP Liquids project engineer, BGR team leader (international) & team supervisor, intramural sports (golf & soccer).

Calvin Given

Hometown: Lakewood, CO
Year and Major: Sophomore, Electrical Engineering
Minor: Business Economics
Campus Involvement: Purdue Run Club, MIND Club, ALDPES Honor Society

Cory Lyden

Hometown: Granbury, TX
Year and Major: Sophomore, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Campus Involvement: Purdue All-American Marching Band, Purdue Space Program

Devin Lannon

Hometown: Danville, IN
Year and Major: Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Art & Design Studio
Campus Involvement: Resident Assistant, Purdue Mechanical Engineering Ambassador, Intramural Sports, Boiler Book Club, ME 199 How Stuff Works Course Instructor, Hydroelectric Power Undergraduate Researcher

Gabe Segura

Hometown: Miami, FL
Year and Major: Senior, Industrial Engineering
Minor: Computer Science; Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Campus Involvement: Alpha Kappa Psi (Past President), Purdue Solutions Consulting (Project Manager), EPICS (Design Lead), Boiler Gold Rush (Team Supervisor), Purdue Rising Professionals (2020 Host), 2x Lockheed Martin Space Intern

Joey Massaro

Hometown: Edwards Air Force Base
Year and Major: Sophomore, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Campus Involvement: Purdue Orbital – Rocket Optimization, Longboard Club, Triangle Fraternity

Joshita Aleti

Hometown: Camas, WA
Year and Major: Junior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minor: Nuclear Engineering
Campus Involvement: AAESAC Career Committee Director, Undergraduate Research Assistant at Zucrow Labs, Teaching Assistant for ENGR 131 & 132, Women in Aerospace, Women in Engineering, Purdue Space Program - High Altitude Team

Keme Gbemiye-Etta

Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Year and Major: Senior, Civil Engineering
Minor: Natural Resources and Environmental Science
Campus Involvement: NSBE Racing Director, College of Engineering Ambassador, Global Engineering Program Ambassador, HVAC Filtration Undergraduate Researcher, Minority Engineering Program Volunteer

Maddie Milharcic

Hometown: Avon, IN
Year and Major: Sophomore, Environmental & Natural Resources Engineering
Campus Involvement: Purdue Bible Fellowship, Purdue Utility Project (PUP)

Mark Hodgkiss

Hometown: Chesterton, IN
Year and Major: Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Campus Involvement: Purdue Cycling Club, EPICS Project Partner Liaison (Previous), Grand Prix Pit Crew (Previous)

Matt Blount

Hometown: Long Valley, NJ
Year and Major: Senior, Construction Engineering & Management
Campus Involvement: John Martinson Honors College, Construction Engineers of the Future, CEMentors, Goss Scholars Mentor, Sports Analytics at Purdue, Beta Tau Honors Fraternity

Nachi Yellapragada

Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Year and Major: Junior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Campus Involvement: Research (Physics, Engineering - Zucrow, AAMPUP/SURF Labs), Purdue Space Program - High Altitude (Simulations), AAE Student Advisory Council Lead, EPICS - AAE, Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity

Nelly Ngei

Hometown: Plano, TX
Year and Major: Senior, Industrial Engineering
Campus Involvement: WIEP, EPICS First Year, EPICS Learning Community, MEP, Co-op, NSBE

Peggy Hutchinson

Hometown: Fairfield, CT
Year and Major: Senior, Materials Engineering
Campus Involvement: PSEF, Swim Club, Purdue University Materials Advantage/Blacksmithing

Tabitha Niziolek

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Year and Major: Freshman, First-Year Engineering
Campus Involvement: EPICS Learning Community, Women in Engineering Program (WIEP)

Vansh Thakkar

Hometown: Mumbia, India
Year and Major: Junior, Industrial Engineering
Campus Involvement: Purdue Pilots, Alpha Kappa Psi, EPICS, FlexiLabs Research