Academic Advising and Career Coaching
The undergraduate academic programs office has dedicated academic advisors and an undergraduate program director who assists you in reaching your academic, personal, and career goals. The academic advisors are here to facilitate your academic and career aspirations. In the Weldon School, it is all about you as we take a student-centered approach to help you reach your educational and professional goals. Regardless of where you are in preparing for your future, we are eager to assist you. Learn more about our philosophy
Academic Advisors: West Lafayette
Darcy Allen
Undergraduate Senior Academic Advisor
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
206 S. Martin Jischke Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2032
(765) 494-2995
Academic Advisors: Indianapolis
Danny King
Assistant Director, Student Success
College of Engineering
799 W Michigan Street, ET 309D
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Career Coach: West Lafayette and Indianapolis
Darshini Render
Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Programs
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
206 S. Martin Jischke Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2032
(765) 494-2995
render@purdue.edu
Communicating with Academic Advisors
Students who wish to communicate with the BME Academic Office or BME Academic Advisors must use their official Purdue email due to the confidential nature of the information discussed. Emails sent from external email services will not receive a response.
For Current BME Students
Appointments
All current BME students are required to schedule appointments via Boiler Connect. The appointment type (virtual or in-person) is based on the advisor’s preference. Students should arrive no later than five (5) minutes before their appointment.
Registration: All current BME students will receive an email from their primary BME Academic Advisor outlining instructions for the registration process. Students will receive an additional email from their primary Academic Advisor via Boiler Connect inviting them to make a registration appointment. Students who show up to their appointment late and/or unprepared may not receive their PIN and/or have their CRF opened and may be forced to reschedule their appointment.
Drop-In Hours
Drop-Ins are for quick issues (see description below) and are only hosted during the school year. Drop-Ins are exclusively offered for current BME students; all others will be required to make an appointment. These hours are subject to change and will be posted in the BME undergraduate newsletter. Please see the front desk upon arrival. During winter and summer breaks, please schedule an appointment.
Appointment
Issues taking longer than 10 minutes
- Academic issues
- Progression toward your degree changes
- Your graduation time is extended
- Your projected plan of study changes due to co-op, study abroad, or personal issues
Drop-In
Quick issues (taking less than 10 minutes)
- To add, drop or modify a course
- Signing up for research
- Changing grade option to pass/not pass
Appointments, Non-BME Students
Non-BME students cannot meet with the Academic Advisors during the BME Registration campaign.
Outside of the BME Registration campaign, non-BME students are welcome to make an appointment with the Academic Advisors. The process differs by location.
- Students in West Lafayette: please call the WL BME Academic Office at 765-494-2995 or stop by MJIS 1021 to set up an appointment
- Students in Indianapolis: please email the Academic Advisor(s) in Indianapolis who are listed above.
Our Philosophy
Danny King
My philosophy of advising is to clear the way to help student achieve the goals that they want to achieve. Students don’t always know what they can do while in college, but they usually know what they want to achieve while they are here or at least know what they want to accomplish while they are here.
Darcy Allen
As a member of the advising community, my goal and focus are to provide academic and professional support and information that is tailored to each student’s needs, goals, and interests by developing and maintaining an environment of respect and open communication. My advising philosophy is an individualized approach with each unique student, allowing for me to learn more about each student holistically and help them determine their path to achieve their short and long term academic and professional goals. I strive to create an environment of inclusivity to support the diverse campus population. It is important for me to build relationships with students to assist them in seeking out all the specific opportunities that brought them to Purdue.
Darshini Render
I believe in the platinum rule; treat individuals how they want to be treated. I prioritize meeting each student where they are in the career development continuum and utilize an individualized approach to coach. I see career coaching as a holistic process, and I hold students accountable for their actions.
Kate Winton
Student Centered: My objective is to navigate them through their undergraduate years, fostering their personal and academic growth. I prioritize active listening, recognizing that each student has distinct needs.
Empowerment: In my role as an advisor, I aim to equip each student with the necessary resources for success. That involves having meaningful and honest conversations with open-ended questions. My objective is to provide support by offering tools, resources, and alternative options for success. I want to encourage students to use our meetings as a platform for brainstorming, processing thoughts, and making well-informed decisions.
Welcoming: Advisors play an essential role in creating a welcoming community. I want my office to be able to show who I am as a person and professional. When students meet with me, they will see my love for nature, art, and advising. The space opens for casual dialog to break the ice with students and allow for a more relaxing setting. I want students to be comfortable with me and be able to share concerns, successes, goals, etc. By creating a space that welcomes students, it affirms a safe environment where students understand that all people are treated with respect, valued, and supported.