Purdue Graduate School earns national recognition

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Graduate School has received a top honor from the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals.

Purdue received the association's Promotion of Excellence Award, which is given in recognition of a new or existing methodology that demonstrates best practices for other graduate enrollment management professionals. Topics change every year based on current events and trends, according to a release from the organization. The honor was presented during the association's 28th annual conference earlier this month in New Orleans.

This year NAGAP honored Purdue for its e-Mentoring program that pairs new, incoming graduate students with experienced graduate students who serve as mentors. The goals are to improve academic advising and career guidance during the student transition period into the university, reduce attrition and time to degree, and improve student success. This academic year was used for a pilot of the e-Mentoring program involving graduate students in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.  

A distinguishing feature of the program is its use of a digital signal processing computer algorithm to pair mentors and mentees. At the start, mentors and mentees complete a profile survey, which is used to capture personality traits. The matching is performed electronically based on these compatibility metrics. In the program, mentors and mentees meet weekly for lunch or dinner, incentivized by a meal card provided by the Graduate School. In addition to the weekly meetings, mentors and mentees come together as a group on a monthly basis for planned activities and discussions. The program scored very high marks with participants. Additional departments are expected to be added to the program in the future. 

Source: Mark J.T. Smith, 765-494-2604, mjts@purdue.edu