Purdue Global VP receives national honor for commitment to student careers

Lasater, Purdue Global’s vice president of student and career advancement, believes the best part of working with students in career services is continually staying in touch with those she helped throughout her career.

Her dedication to building relationships with both students and employers, and helping students on their career journeys, is why Lasater is this year’s recipient of the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Kauffman Award. She will be honored during NACE’s annual conference June 3-5 in Phoenix.

“Our work in career services is long-lasting; it sets a course for future success and aspirations with accountability and collaboration built into the work,” Lasater said. “We’re here to be honest and straightforward with our students during the job search and then celebrate with them when they land the role they dreamed of when they thought about returning to school as a working adult.”

Lasater, who has been with Purdue Global — Purdue’s online university for working adults — since March 2018, has served in a variety of capacities over the past 14 years with NACE. Lasater has served as president-elect, president and past president (2019-22); as a member of the board of directors; and on numerous committees. She currently is a member of the advocacy committee.

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” Lasater said. “I love the work, the collaboration and the camaraderie with all the professionals. The Kauffman Award is a wonderful reminder that relationship-building and partnerships that lead to results are essential in our field. I’m proud to be associated with NACE and applaud all their work helping millions of college students throughout the U.S.”

NACE is a professional association that connects nearly 17,000 college career services professionals, university relations and recruiting professionals, and business solution providers.

“Jennifer Lasater has been a trusted advisor, visionary and colleague for not only me, but the entire Purdue Global leadership team,” said Frank Dooley, Purdue Global chancellor. “Her heart and passion for student success and career success are evident in everything she does. We are fortunate to have her guiding us in our work with working adult learners.”

Lasater said the best part of her job is working with her team, who is always looking for ways to care about Purdue Global students and their success.

“The work that leads to those results is essential,” Lasater said. “Our relationships with our students, the employers that hire them, and our partners throughout Purdue Global are critical. That work leads to those great results, and knowing that we’ve helped so many first-generation students change their career trajectories and set the example for future generations keeps me focused and motivated.”

Among her many accomplishments at Purdue Global, Lasater developed the Center for Career Advancement, whose staff provides comprehensive career planning to Purdue Global students and graduates. The center had its best year yet, results-wise. The Federal Work Study team tripled its outreach to students in the last three years. She also was key in launching the student success coaching program, which has helped students persist through tough times.

“Our hallmark here at Purdue Global is that we don’t wait for students to ask for assistance. Instead, we go to the students. We have career-related touch points embedded in every program of study to share information in real time,” Lasater said. “We want to erase any obstacles or fears and instead build a relationship with our graduates, so they have a partner with them as they look for a job tied to their new degree and skill set. We believe there is a job out there for everyone, and every student matters to us at Purdue Global.” 

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.