‘I found myself’: PPHS alum from first graduating class will also be first to receive Purdue degree

Xavier Howard is no stranger to firsts.

Howard is not only a member of the first graduating class of Purdue Polytechnic High School. He’s also now the first PPHS graduate to earn a degree from Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus — and he did it in just three years.

“My time at Purdue has been really meaningful, and I think my time at PPHS is what helped set me up for the success I’ve had,” Howard said. “I had to work really hard to get to this point. I’m grateful for the support I’ve had both in high school and in college to help me get here.”

Howard, who is from Westfield, Indiana, will be graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering technology. He has already secured a job with GE as a field engineer working on wind turbines, another accomplishment he credits to being persistent in his educational journey and using the resources available to him. 

PPHS was established to increase the number of students from underserved areas who are eligible for admission to Purdue University.  PPHS is a STEM-focused school that promotes self-advocacy among its students. It was the kind of environment that Howard says prepared him for a successful college experience from the very beginning.

“I remember at the start of my freshman year, I didn’t necessarily feel like a new student,” Howard said. “I walked onto Purdue’s campus feeling prepared and confident because of the experiences I had in high school. I felt like I was uniquely prepared.”

Howard took advantage of summer coursework throughout high school and his three years as an undergraduate. He also participated in a custom Summer College for High School Students experience that allows eligible PPHS students to earn college credit while spending up to four weeks on campus and living in a residence hall as early as their freshman year of high school.

Because of his summer coursework, Howard saw a path to graduating in three years soon after starting his college career. At first, he thought he might graduate a semester early. But as he continued to map out his classes, he realized if he continued on the same path he could earn his degree a year sooner. 

“It felt like a puzzle at times,” Howard said. “I had to plan my courses strategically, sometimes years in advance, to make sure I could take the right class at the right time to graduate early. There were times I felt like it wasn’t going to happen, but it always worked out.”

Howard has always enjoyed hands-on work and using his critical thinking skills, making PPHS a “perfect match” for his learning style, he said. PPHS helped him plant the seed toward becoming an engineer. His time at Purdue helped him cultivate that dream.

“My transition to college after my time at PPHS was really seamless,” Howard says. “It felt like a very natural next step because I was continuing to work toward the same goal, but it required a new level of discipline and confidence.”

When Howard reflects on his college career, he recalls fond memories of late nights working on class projects with his classmates, his experience working for University Residences as a resident assistant and other activities that helped him stay involved in campus life.

Being able to work well with others and become an effective leader both in and out of the classroom were skills he learned as a student at PPHS. Being able to transfer those skills throughout his college level coursework was a game changer, he said. 

“I found myself and what I really wanted to do, as far as my career goals go,” Howard said. “And then I was able to make that come true as a college student.”

When Howard walks across the stage during Purdue’s commencement ceremonies, he says he’ll remember the people and the experiences that helped him get there. Being able to say he accomplished it in three years is something he takes pride in — and he knows the hard work along the way was worth it.

“Some of the teachers I had in both high school and in college really had a big impact on me,” Howard said. “When other people believe in you and help you do whatever it takes to make things happen, it makes you feel like you can accomplish what you set your mind to.”