In this feature, we celebrate Boilermakers at every degree level who are making strides towards self-betterment and exemplify one or more of the Steps to Leaps learning pillars - Well-Being, Leadership, Impact, Networks and Grit/Persistence.
Nominate a Student
Know a student, faculty or staff member who exemplifies one of the Steps to Leaps learning pillars? Use the Steps to Leaps Spotlight Nomination Form to start celebrating their achievements!
Ryan Daniels Shares How to ‘Level-Up’ Your Impact
Ryan Daniels, a junior studying film & video production, is all about taking that perfect shot. When she graduates from Purdue, she hopes to obtain a position in the sports production industry someday. When not in the classroom, Ryan is the vice president of operations for the Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB), a dean’s ambassador, the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) chair for the College of Liberal Arts, the treasurer for Purdue Student Productions, and participates in two choirs – Heart & Soul with Purdue Musical Organizations and the Black Voices of Inspiration with the Black Cultural Center.
Kelsey Kruyer, a junior studying biomedical health sciences on a pre-dental track, with minors in anthropology and psychology, is passionate about her role as a resident assistant (RA) at Meredith Hall. Kelsey says that some of the inspiration for what she does today stems from the unusual situation of arriving at Purdue as a first-year student during the pandemic.
Carter Mayhan, a junior studying mechanical engineering with a minor in management, is passionate about what he can bring to the table at Purdue. Outside of the classroom, Carter is a project manager for Purdue Solutions Consulting, a student-led technology and management consulting operation. In addition, Carter serves as a tour guide for the Office of Admissions Ambassador program.
Shane Gibson, a junior studying supply chain and sales engineering technology with a minor in construction management at Purdue, wants to use his education to own his own company someday. Coming from a family in the construction field, Shane hopes to carve his own path in construction sales as a supplier.
Megan Bixler, a junior studying agricultural economics at Purdue, is excited about where her degree will take her even though she hasn’t settled on a specific path yet. “My degree is so broad and there are so many things you can do within agricultural economics,” Megan says. “I could go into planning, marketing, agricultural education outside of the classroom, tourism, policymaking – the options are really endless!”
Jerica Drew, a senior in the School of Aviation Technology and Transportation at Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, is no stranger when it comes to making an impact in her community. Prior to arriving at Purdue, Jerica actively served our country for five years in the United States Navy and completed three years of reserve service.
Kaustubh Ray, a spring 2022 graduate of Purdue’s Aeronautical & Astronomical Engineering undergraduate program, is currently interning as a systems engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Inspired by the stars while away at NASA, he is also working as a part-time direct-Ph.D. student in the Gambaro Graduate Program of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue.
Read More about Kaustubh here.
Luke Thesier, a construction management technology (CMT) major from Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute, wants to eventually be the one “running it all” when constructing buildings. In addition to the sticks and bricks, the CMT program at Purdue taught Luke about installing piping, electrical components, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), so that he can eventually bid for work after graduation.
Rachel Wong, who is double majoring in management and marketing with a concentration in innovation management, learned to face her social networking fears by jumping headfirst into student clubs and organizations. She says when she first came to Purdue, she felt it was important to immediately leap out of her comfort zone and get involved in student organizations - especially at the beginning of the school year.
As a first-year student, it did not take long for Natalie Nottolini to discover that the then marketing major was not a fan of … wait for it: marketing. Instead of panicking, Natalie took another approach – she hit the books and researched other majors within Krannert School of Management to see what might interest her...
Ashley Bagadiong, a senior in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, has big aspirations for her future career. The first goals she has set for herself are to work in the consumer-packaged goods industry and run for office someday.
Delaney Mortimore, a senior majoring in human services within the College of Health and Human Sciences, works hard to incorporate the Steps to Leaps pillar of Impact into her actions by focusing all her energy on social work, case management, societal issues and community activism.
Tiffany Pai, who is pursuing an economics degree through the three-year program in the College of Liberal Arts, is all about helping others. From the moment that Tiffany stepped on campus, she knew she wanted to create an impact. She discovered a path to impact quickly when, as a first-year student, she discovered Purdue’s Civic Engagement and Leadership Development (CELD) department. At the time, CELD had just launched the Leadership Experience at Purdue (LEAP) program, and Tiffany was selected to be part of the first cohort to participate.
Sabria Croom, a senior studying accounting, is on the student advisory board and serves as the student director of the ACE Campus Food Pantry at Purdue. When asked what her secret is to stay on top of her school and volunteer “game,” she says it is essential to prioritize oneself to help others.
Know a student, faculty or staff member who exemplifies one of the Steps to Leaps learning pillars? Be sure to use the Steps to Leaps Showcase Nomination Form here to have them highlighted!