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

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Academic Advisors: West Lafayette 

Career Coach: West Lafayette and Indianapolis

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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.

Appointments, Non-BME Students

Non-BME students may make an appointment with the Academic Advisors by calling the BME Academic Office at 765-494-2995. Non-BME students cannot meet with the Academic Advisors during the BME Registration campaign.

All other appointments will need to call (765-494-2995) or stop by MJIS 1021 to set up an appointment due to the limitations of the scheduling system.

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Our Philosophy

Austin Glidden

As an academic advisor, my primary goal is to support students in achieving their academic goals, regardless of their background. I believe every student matters, and through academic advising, students develop a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities as members of the Purdue University community. Academic advising focuses on providing accurate academic information, fostering meaningful relationships, and guiding students toward academic milestones such as graduation. I am committed to providing personalized, student-centered advising that promotes self-advocacy, degree attainment, and global citizenship. By prioritizing individual needs and collaborating with campus resources, I ensure students can access the best support possible. We continuously assess our programs and invest in training to provide excellent academic advising.

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.