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

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."

Alanna Nash

Hometown: Duxbury, MA 
Year and Major: Junior, Mechanical Engineering 
Minors/Certificates: Certificate in Extensive Cooperative Education 
Campus Involvement: Women in Engineering Program, 5 Session Co-op with Closure Systems International, Teaching Assistant for Mechanical Engineering Design, Innovation And Entrepreneurship.  
Past: Honors College First Year Engineering Program/Goss Scholars, Teaching Assistant for WIE Program Freshman seminar

Alvaro Malaga

Hometown: Madrid, Spain
Year and Major: Junior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minor: Management
Campus Involvement: Undergraduate research in the FD&C/HS group (flight dynamics, control, UAV systems), Teaching Assistant for ENGR 131 & ENGR 132 courses, Purdue Space Program (Active Controls team), Intramural sports (golf & soccer)

Past involvement: Boiler Gold Rush (2021 team leader & 2022 team supervisor). 

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
Minors/Certificates: Art & Design Minor, Python Programming Certificate
Campus Involvement: Purdue Mechanical Engineering Ambassadors (Past Outreach Head), Textron Aviation Intern (Summer 2022), Resident Assistant (Current), Undergrad research (Summer 2021) 

Elizabeth Saunders

Hometown: Greenwood, IN 
Year and Major: Sophomore, Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) 
Minors/Certificates: Governor’s Work ethic certificate, OSHA 10 hour certification 
Campus Involvement: Queer Students of Color, Women in Construction

Gabe Segura

Hometown: Miami, FL
Year and Major: Senior, Industrial Engineering
Minors/Certificates: 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 AFB California
Year and Major: Sophomore, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Campus Involvement: Triangle Fraternity, Longboarding Club, AAESAC, Purdue Orbital(past) 

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: Treasurer for National Society of Black Engineers, Civil Engineering Student Advisory Council, College of Engineering Ambassadors, Volunteer at Minority Engineering Program and Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Honors Society)

Past: Racing Director for National Society of Black Engineers, Undergraduate Researcher in the Boor Lab (Aerosol Science), Global Engineering Program Ambassador and Purdue Investment Banking Academy 

Maddie Milharcic

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

Matt Blount

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

Mckinzie Hammond

Hometown: New Haven, IN 
Year and Major: Sophomore, Industrial Engineering 
Minors/Certificates: Management and Communication 
Campus Involvement: Society of Women Engineers Mentor, Institute of Industrial and System Engineering, Purdue Cooperative Ann Tweedale
Past: Undergrad Research (Duerstock Labs), Women in Engineering Program

 

Nachi Yellapragada

Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Year and Major: Junior, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Minors/Certificates: Systems Undergraduate Certificate in Engineering
Campus Involvement: Research (Physics, Engineering - Zucrow, AAMPUP/SURF), Purdue Space Program - High Altitude, AAE Student Advisory Council, Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity 
Past: EPICS - AAE

Nelly Ngei

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

Nikki Zavodny

Hometown: Monticello, Indiana 
Year and Major: Sophomore, Environmental and Ecological Engineering 
Minors/Certificates: Environmental Policy and Politics 
Campus Involvement: Society of Environmental and Ecological Engineers, Engineers Without Borders 

Peggy Hutchinson

Hometown: Fairfield, CT
Year and Major: Senior, Materials Engineering
Campus Involvement: PSEF. Past: Student sustainability Counsil, swim club, Global Engineering Learning Community, WIEP Mentor/Mentee program, Purdue Materials Advantage/Blacksmithing, Internships with Lockheed Martin

Radhika Kulkarni

Hometown: Dayton, OH 
Year and Major: Junior, Biomedical Engineering  
Minors/Certificates: Minor in Business Economics, Co-Op 
Campus Involvement: Biomedical Engineering Ambassador, Undergraduate Research, Women in Engineering (WIE) Program, GE Appliances Intern, 3-rotation co-op with Boston Scientific 

Tabitha Niziolek

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