Purdue Global honors faculty and staff with 2025 Distinction Awards

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Recipients of Purdue Global’s annual G.L.O.B.A.L. Distinction Awards were honored Dec. 17 for their impact, innovation, best practices and measurable outcomes in three areas: Great Leaders, Organization Builders and Accomplished Learners.

“We are proud to recognize this year’s award recipients for their vision, persistence, collaboration, excellence and teamwork in providing our students with the best learning experience in an ever-changing world,” said Eva Nodine, Purdue Global’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer. “Our faculty and staff continue to find innovative and engaging ways to teach so students can learn and be successful in their fields.”

Great Leaders Award: for promoting a culture of excellence and expanding the vision of making Purdue Global a great place to work:

• Individual recipient: Betsy Tomei, director of faculty operations, was honored for her work in establishing the Academic Operations division, bringing together scheduling managers, payroll and credentialing functions, and other key operational divisions into one area. Through persistence and adaptability, Tomei united various areas across Purdue Global into a unified, high-functioning team that now operates with consistency, efficiency and trust. She has identified and elevated the strengths of individual team members and encouraged staff to take on leadership opportunities. Her approach transformed the team into a network of empowered contributors, which strengthened collaboration and accountability.
• Team recipient: Purdue Global Data and Analytics Team — Dave Palmer, Chris Baugh, Ryan McComas, Kate Rosch, Elliot Cook, Shaina Greer-Short, Scott Wojciechowski, Todd Nguyen and Nancy Ejuma. The team drives institutional excellence and student success through data-driven innovation by leading initiatives across Purdue Global. Their work resulted in measurable improvements in early student engagement and retention tracking through the creation of data dashboards and Personalized Learner Reports, which provide individual insights, tailored support and learning pathways. They bring both technical expertise and genuine care in serving students, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Organization Builders Award: for celebrating significant growth in Purdue Global from an innovative standpoint:

• Individual recipient: Barbara Kent, director of military student relations and an Army veteran, was honored for her work in enhancing Purdue Global’s support to military-related students. Kent has been instrumental in helping Purdue Global earn its military-friendly school rankings, as well as the Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana. She has worked with the Federal Work-Study team to add extra peer support to military-related students.
• Team recipient: Scheduling team — Betsy Tomei, Alyson Fritz-Buras, Kim Cantu, Rosie Sanchez, Miriam Davis, Philippa Duncan, Vince Valcin and Sandra Otero. The team has worked to streamline the scheduling process, having in one year successfully scheduled 31 academic terms; built and maintained 22,552 sections; supported 477,994 student enrollments; and completed 4,207 scheduling requests and 9,336 seat requests. The team ensures that courses, students and faculty are aligned term after term with almost no disruptions. Their success is so seamless that many of us take for granted the complexity of the work required — an achievement that speaks volumes about their excellence, professionalism and dedication. To help students stay on track for timely graduation, the team has taken part in group meetings focused on reviewing, recommending and adjusting course rotations to better align with student needs, as well as improving operations with the various schools. The team is always available when needed and consistently approaches challenges with a positive, can-do attitude.

Accomplished Learners Award: for creating positive student momentum at Purdue Global via curricular enhancements, faculty initiatives or technological advancements:

• Individual recipient: Rachel Knowles, a faculty member in the School of Health Sciences, was honored for her work in increasing student retention, success and engagement through her teaching and revising of several courses, including Nutrition Science 310. To improve student success and retention, she revised the course to bridge the knowledge gap, ensuring all students had the tools needed to succeed. Knowles created engaging, instructor-recorded videos for each unit, presenting complex concepts in multiple ways, supporting diverse learning styles, and helping all students feel supported and confident in their ability to succeed. Knowles is also expanding student use of AI in the classroom to prepare students for an AI-driven workforce.
• Team recipient: Department of Human Services — Jessie Budzinski, Rebekah Haight and DeAnn Simon. The team introduced AI-simulated assignments in one graduate and one undergraduate course, producing significant measurable outcomes. With input from the advisory board and working professionals, the assignments assist in practicing client interviews in various settings. With positive feedback and outcomes, the program will be expanded to other skills-based courses. This integration has significantly improved student accessibility and engagement, with an accessible platform for practice any time, allowing students to reflect on their responses and receive real-time feedback. Students highlighted the impact on engagement in the course and with the instructor.

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.