During the 2015-16 season, Perry was the Boilermakers’ leading rebounder and third-leading scorer, averaging 10.5 points per game. Off the court, Perry scored well in the classroom. For three years running, she has earned her spot on the Coach’s Honor Roll, which requires a GPA between 3.00 and 3.49.

“I’ve experienced the best of both worlds: attending a phenomenal STEM university and playing basketball for a school with a championship tradition,” says Perry, a 6’ 2” forward. Since 1991, the women’s basketball team has claimed seven conference championships as well as nine Big Ten Tournament championships, most recently winning the trophy in 2013.

The skills Perry has gained as a biomedical engineering student have carried over into her game. “In the job market you’ll never be working by yourself or without a team,” she says. “From my time at Purdue, I’ve learned to work with people from various backgrounds and bring different opinions and beliefs together. I’ve learned to lead, to follow, to listen — and to take criticism.”

At Purdue, Perry has had opportunities to advance her knowledge of global engineering — and to compete in sports at the international level. Through the Weldon School’s study abroad program, she was able to participate in the Global Device Design program in Galway, Ireland — an unfamiliar, yet captivating, environment. And being on the basketball team has allowed her to travel to Europe and Mexico to compete with teams from all around the world.

“Purdue has a culture that accepts nothing but excellence,” she says. “The opportunities I've been given here have made my experience wonderful!”

Perry’s lifestyle of constant hustle relies on serious time management skills, as well as organizational and goal-setting habits she developed during her freshman year. She attributes her basketball success to her coaches and teammates, who have pushed her to be the best she can be. Nevertheless, Perry says, “School comes first and the rest will follow. You learn so much from your sport, but at the end of the day, your degree is the most important thing.”

Last season, Perry posted career-high marks in every statistical category, surpassing her combined marks from the two previous seasons in rebounds, blocks and steals. On top of that, Perry was the recipient of the 2016 Coaches Award and was named to the Big Ten Players of the Week Honor Roll. For the slam dunk, she just landed an impressive job at Epic, a health care software company in Madison, Wisconsin.

(Photo: Charles Jischke, Purdue University)