{"id":15886,"date":"2025-06-20T07:24:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T11:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/?p=15886"},"modified":"2025-06-20T13:09:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T17:09:22","slug":"purdue-university-and-hello-sunshine-partner-on-new-platform-to-inspire-the-next-generation-of-bold-curious-young-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/Q2\/purdue-university-and-hello-sunshine-partner-on-new-platform-to-inspire-the-next-generation-of-bold-curious-young-women","title":{"rendered":"Purdue University and Hello Sunshine partner on new platform to inspire the next generation of bold, curious young women"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. \u2014 Purdue University<\/a> is the official university partner of Sunnie<\/a>, a multiplatform media brand geared toward Gen Z girls and young women. The new media, lifestyle and experiential brand was created by Hello Sunshine<\/a>, which was founded by award-winning actress, author and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Actress, author and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon announces the launch of Sunnie, a brand geared towards Gen Z girls and women in Cannes, France. Purdue is the official university partner. (Purdue University photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The new platform \u2014 built by and made for Gen Z girls and women \u2014 strives to amplify female voices and empowers them to live up to their potential through storytelling across platforms, including experiential, digital content and editorial. Sunnie aims to build community among Gen Z girls and young women, emboldening them to imagine possible careers, including in STEM fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powered by Purdue\u2019s commitment to accessibility and academic rigor in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the university will help design curricula that not only respond to the demands of the evolving tech workforce but also engage and inspire Gen Z girls by aligning with their academic interests, personal values and creative passions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kelly Hiller is the chief marketing officer for Purdue University. (Purdue University photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u201cPurdue and Hello Sunshine share a powerful belief that when girls can see paths forward that reflect their interests, their dreams and their potential, there\u2019s no limit to what they can imagine or achieve,\u201d said Kelly Hiller<\/a>, chief marketing officer for Purdue University. \u201cAt a time when social media can so profoundly shape how girls see themselves and their futures, we are excited to support a space that replaces pressure with positivity, where storytelling meet passions, like STEM, and girls are inspired to see themselves as confident, curious and capable of shaping the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The national brand launch of Sunnie and the Purdue partnership were announced Wednesday (June 18) at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France. The festival, often described as the \u201cOscars of the advertising world,\u201d is one of the most prestigious global events in the fields of advertising, marketing, communications and creative media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGen Z isn\u2019t waiting for permission \u2014 they\u2019re boldly shaping culture, community and conversation in ways that are deeply intentional and inspiring,\u201d said Maureen Polo, head of Direct-to-Consumer at Hello Sunshine. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re so excited to partner with Purdue University as the official university partner of Sunnie. Their team has been instrumental in helping launch this exciting venture for Hello Sunshine. Purdue\u2019s commitment to research, innovation and student empowerment aligns perfectly with our mission to create spaces where young women feel truly seen, heard and supported.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the new collaboration, Sunnie and Purdue will codevelop custom content, engaging curriculum and online resources that will serve as a \u201cplaybook\u201d centered around relevant subject matters, such as the building blocks for a STEM career. In addition, Purdue will also be a part of IRL (in real life) events planned to add a deeper layer of connection and community to the initiative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform will also offer continuing education opportunities for caregivers of Gen Zers, including certification programs through Purdue University\u2019s online programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This partnership reinforces Purdue\u2019s national leadership in STEM by showing up in modern, culturally relevant areas and aligning directly with the university\u2019s institutional priorities to expand access, drive enrollment and cultivate the next generation of trailblazers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe path to innovation begins long before college,\u201d said Lucy Flesch<\/a>, Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science. \u201cAs a scientist and an educator, I\u2019ve seen how early exposure to STEM can spark ambition and agency \u2014 especially for girls who may not yet see themselves in these fields. It\u2019s important to show them how it can connect to their passions \u2014 we unlock potential that might\u2019ve otherwise gone unseen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amplified by Purdue\u2019s colleges of Engineering<\/a> and Science<\/a>, Purdue Polytechnic Institute<\/a>, and the Mitch Daniels School of Business<\/a>, Purdue has the largest undergraduate STEM enrollment of any top 50-ranked university in the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis directly supports a five-year goal of making Purdue the most desired STEM destination for young women,\u201d said Arvind Raman<\/a>, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGen Z girls are growing up in a world shaped by technology, and we want them not just to keep up \u2014 but to lead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industry partnerships are a hallmark of excellence for Purdue University and Purdue Brand Studio, the university\u2019s in-house marketing agency, as they play a central role in advancing the university\u2019s mission of innovation, impact and intellectual leadership on a national and global scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent key industry partnerships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brand collaborations<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n