Purdue Faculty in Indianapolis Recognized for Teaching Excellence
October 1, 2025 | Sharel Welch
Five faculty members in Indianapolis were among the Purdue educators honored Sept. 23 at the Celebration of Teaching Excellence event presented by the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning.
The event, held at the Beck Agricultural Center in West Lafayette, recognized 93 Purdue professors in 23 categories of awards. Honorees received a glass apple and an engraved plaque denoting their achievement.
“The range of these awards underscores the high caliber of instruction across Purdue,” said David Umulis, senior vice provost Purdue University for Indianapolis. “I’m proud of the innovative teaching practices and collaborative spirit shown by our faculty honorees and am pleased that they are receiving university-wide recognition.”
Purdue’s dedication to experiential, inclusive learning and real-world applications provides the foundation for faculty to create bold, student-centered learning opportunities, he said.
“These awards reflect the meaningful impact that Purdue faculty have on student success,” Umulis said.
Teaching Leadership Award
Sharon Miller, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Sharon Miller was honored to be selected as a Teaching Leadership Award recipient for her instruction in biomedical engineering.
“To me, this award demonstrates Purdue’s support for teaching discussions at the departmental level,” said Miller, assistant vice provost for Purdue in Indianapolis and associate professor of engineering practice. “This award specifically supports a BME design teaching circle, where lead teaching assistants, lab coordinators and course instructors have a monthly opportunity to discuss best practices in BME design instruction.”
Regarding the undergraduate biomedical engineering program, which spans two locations, Miller said. “We strive to identify ways to deliver high-quality design experiences to all our students.”
Service-Learning Fellows
Brenda Morrow, Purdue Polytechnic Institute
Brenda Morrow, assistant professor of practice in construction management technology, was recognized for her classroom work in interior architecture connected to a Service-Learning Fellowship, a program designed to assist faculty in developing projects and activities with community partners for student experiential learning.
“The Service-Learning Fellowship has allowed me to build meaningful connections outside of my program area while gaining valuable insights from service-learning leadership,” Morrow said. “These insights have been especially impactful in shaping experiential learning opportunities within the evidence-based design course I teach.”
IMPACT Festival of Teaching and Learning Recognition for imaginative activities
Josh Polk, Purdue Polytechnic Institute
Josh Polk, associate site director and assistant professor of practice in the School of Applied and Creative Computing, was recognized for his instruction on a summer project where a group of Polk’s students created a Purdue-themed dark ride concept and functional scale model.
“Indianapolis has many resources, and it’s a great place to be an educator,” Polk said. “It’s also a benefit to come up with fun and creative project ideas and get support from the university to make them a reality.”
Polk appreciates local organizations such as the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Conner Prairie and Creative Works. “Our students can gain real-world interaction with amazing client partners.”
Experiential Education Champion
Christian Rogers, Purdue Polytechnic Institute
Believing in the power of experiential learning as core and fundamental to a student’s development, Christian Rogers chose to apply to become an Experiential Education Champion.
“Students need tangible experiences that take them beyond theory and to do so in an environment that gives them the realization they are professionals in the field,” said Rogers, assistant dean for Purdue Polytechnic in Indianapolis and associate professor in the School of Applied and Creative Computing. “This is part of the DNA of how we teach in Indianapolis and why I love teaching here.”
Most Distinguished Faculty for Research
Rachel Surowiec, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Rachel Surowiec, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, was awarded Most Distinguished Faculty for Research through a vote by Purdue students.
The award is given to one faculty member each year across the Purdue system whose mentorship and teaching through research has meaningfully inspired students, helping them find their voice, their purpose or even their future path.
“I love research,” said Surowiec, who runs the Quantitative Biomedical Imaging and Spectroscopy Lab in Indianapolis. “I love the process, the discovery and also that it is a place where I can make a meaningful impact in mentorship.”
Surowiec aims to lead students to find their own love of research through mentorship. “Bringing someone into the lab, watching that ‘aha’ moment happen and then supporting them as they grow into confident researchers and professionals is one of the best parts of what I get to do at Purdue,” she said. “Being recognized for that by the students themselves is one of the most meaningful honors of my career.”