Purdue Named Finalist for 2020 APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Awards

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today (Sept. 2) named Purdue University as one of six university finalists for its eighth annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Awards.

Watch Building a Pipeline: PPHS Origins Story to learn how and why Purdue Polytechnic High School is revolutionizing education and changing students’ lives.

The winners will be announced during the association’s virtual annual meeting. The finalists – California State University, Northridge; Iowa State University; the University of Memphis; Mississippi State University; University of Pittsburgh; and Purdue University – are competing for four different awards that recognize exemplary and innovative case studies of economic engagement impact:

Purdue and California State University, Northridge are finalists for the IEP Talent award, recognizing exemplary initiatives in education and workforce development.

All six universities are finalists for the IEP Economic Engagement Connections award, which is the top prize in the awards competition, recognizing overall excellence and leveraging across all three award categories (APLU release).

To help improve college readiness and cultivate diversity in STEM disciplines, Purdue University opened its first location of Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS) in 2017. PPHS replaced the traditional high school model with a personalized, flexible schedule that allows each student to learn at their own pace and competency-based education in which students are always encouraged to improve and grow.

“We’re grateful the association recognizes the significant impact Purdue has on innovation and development in Indiana and beyond,” said Steve Abel, Purdue associate provost of engagement. “The University is unique in our influence in all three aspects the APLU considers vital: Talent, Innovation and Place.” 

Purdue received the APLU’s IEP Place award in 2019 and the IEP Innovation award in 2016.

In order to provide students with real-world experience and early career exposure, PPHS, in tandem with local industry leaders like Subaru, Salesforce, and Eskanazi, created industry projects. These projects include a field visit to an industry partner site where students learn about the challenges partners are trying to solve and support and mentorship throughout the project cycle. Students then go back to school, armed with real-world experience, mentorship and the design-thinking process to solve one of the very real challenges facing industry today.  

Aimed at sparking their curiosity and building collaborative skills, the instructional approach allows students to pursue passion projects in which they have choice and voice in how they apply their knowledge and skills. Students work with personalized learning coaches and classmates who advise them on their goals and work.

Purdue University also helps train teachers at the high school to facilitate college-level courses that help place students on track for academic success when they reach college. Students in their junior year meeting Purdue University admissions criteria are invited to live on campus for a least one week over the summer to earn college credit and get a taste of the college experience. Building on this model, Purdue Polytechnic High School opened its second Indianapolis campus in 2019 and its third campus in South Bend in August 2020. 

To be eligible for an IEP award, an institution must first earn the Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (IEP) designation from APLU, which recognizes institutional commitment to regional economic development.

Sixty-six institutions have been named IEP Universities designees since the program was launched in 2012.

About APLU

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a membership of 246 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations, APLU's agenda is built on the three pillars of increasing degree completion and academic success, advancing scientific research, and expanding engagement.  Annually, member campuses enroll 5.0 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.3 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $49.3 billion in university-based research. 

Purdue media contact: Jim Bush, 765-336-1909, jsbush@purdue.edu

APLU contact: Jeff Lieberson, 202-478-6073, jlieberson@aplu.org