Relationships, collaborations are key drivers for Purdue Global leader’s success

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Bitten by the news bug at a young age, Amy Hawkinson watched Jane Pauley share what was happening around the world on NBC’s “Today” show every morning.

Pauley, with her own Midwestern background, was an inspiration to Hawkinson, who tuned in from southern Wisconsin.

Filled with an entrepreneurial spirit for storytelling, Hawkinson embarked on a career in the TV news industry. She landed an internship — and then was hired — at the Chicago Fox affiliate’s morning show, “Fox Thing in the Morning.” After two years of covering major Chicago events, she worked as an associate producer and as a reporter for a financial journalism platform.

Fast-forward to today, Hawkinson uses her knowledge of news, storytelling and brand-building daily in her role at Purdue Global, overseeing all internal and external communications and serving as the university’s chief of staff.

Collaborating for the future

Throughout her news and public relations career, Hawkinson has interviewed celebrities and newsmakers and covered large events, all with care and attention to detail. Those same characteristics drive her in the mission of sharing Purdue Global’s news, highlighting student success, innovation and growth of working adult learners to a larger audience.

Hawkinson uses her strengths of entrepreneurship and strategic thinking — honed from 13 years at Purdue Global in numerous communication roles, plus more from working in private industry, trade associations and media — to tell the Purdue Global story effectively.

“Our team tells the stories of our students, alumni, faculty and staff every day,” she said. “Collaboration is key. We wouldn’t have our stories without the collaboration of our colleagues across Purdue Global. While we can ask questions and dig for stories, the collaboration is what helps us win.”

Hawkinson leads her team’s efforts to enhance and expand internal and external communications, project management, and media relations efforts and partnerships, all keeping in the Purdue Global brand of helping working adult learners make their comeback personal and relational.

All the collaborative efforts shine when stories, photos and videos; media placements; social media posts; newsletters; and projects are released for everyone to see and share.

The Guild and Team USA Learning Network partnership is giving Hawkinson an opportunity to go back to her reporter roots by interviewing U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls at events such as Purdue Global town halls and hosting them at commencements. Purdue Global is the preferred online university degree provider of the Guild and Team USA Learning Network.

“We are working with the Guild and Team USA Learning Network to understand the educational goals and needs of Team USA members. At Purdue Global, we’re also learning from the experiences of these athletes and others across our community to better support their journeys back to earning a degree,” Hawkinson said.

Another special collaboration happened during the May 2025 Commencement ceremony.

The graduation team was contacted by an active-duty military son who wanted to surprise his mom at her ceremony. The team worked with media relations staff to learn more about the request, eventually collaborating with leadership to find out what could be done. After confirming with the son, everyone worked with Purdue Brand Studio to arrange filming, photographing and releasing the video on Instagram, Facebook and other social media.

“Blane and Sebrina’s story is a great example of collaboration with our graduation, marketing and communications teams,” Hawkinson said. “There’s no better culmination of great storytelling than seeing it come to fruition at commencement. We were able to capture that all on video, write a beautiful story, and, from an earned media perspective, be seen on ‘Good Morning America,’ ABC News and NBC News.”

With no two days the same, Hawkinson continually witnesses team members brainstorming on projects of all sizes and across all platforms.

“I’m proud to say that my colleagues are all mission-driven individuals,” she said. “We put the mission of Purdue Global at the forefront of our work each day. We believe in it, and it shows in the outcomes of our work.”

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.