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

Career Coach

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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.

Chantalle Brown

As an academic advisor, it is my responsibility to provide a nurturing yet challenging environment that encourages a student to grow personally and professionally during their undergraduate career. I serve as an advocate for students while balancing student and university expectations. My hope is that whenever a student leaves my office, finishes reading my emails, or ends a verbal conversation with me, they feel that I have addressed their concerns adequately and know that I have done or am working on doing all in my power to assist them with their need or issue.

I strive to meet students where they are, providing an equitable advising experience to each student. By tailoring my interactions to each individual student, I recognize that each student has varying levels of needs and wants from their advising experience. I listen to what students say and don’t say, piecing together various insights and interactions to gain a better understanding of who the student is. I assist students in identifying their values and goals through reflective and authentic conversations.

I empower students by providing them with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions. I teach my students about program and university policies and procedures, working to make the language as plain as possible. Sometimes a student has an issue or concern that is better handled through a different office or department at the university; if so, I refer the student to that office or department and recommend ways to contact and research that office or department. While it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to know and complete all degree requirements, I assist students by clarifying degree requirements and working with them to choose courses that are interesting and worthwhile (personally or professionally).

Through my continuing pursuit of knowledge and advising experiences, I demonstrate to my students that learning should be a lifelong journey that does not end upon degree completion. I look for ways to enhance the advising experience from the student end whether it be better online information, software changes, or more robust advisor interactions. I also keep up to date with any new university, college, and program requirements, policies, or procedures to ensure that I understand them and can adequately explain them to students and other faculty and staff if questions arise.

Ultimately, my goal for students is for them to grow as an individual, developing the necessary skills to become successful in their chosen professions and become citizens who will make positive contributions to their communities. Through a holistic advising approach, I show students that they are respected, welcomed, valued, and heard.

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.