Our Community
Our motto: We educate one student at a time.
Living by this motto has allowed the School of Engineering Education to prepare and operate exceptional educational programming and support for undergraduate students of all backgrounds, interests, and learning styles, for careers in industry, government, not-for-profit, and models yet to be developed. Such a dynamic program is made better by the wide community of constituents who continue to offer input, feedback, and support (both financial and emotional). Influences offered by our students, alumni, and corporate mentors/partners contribute to a critical cycle of continuous improvement to help maintain our exceptional and historic place in Purdue’s fabric of engineering education.
Students
Our community may be relatively small, but we believe that is what allows us to form a tight-knit group. IDES or MDE students are proud to call themselves Purple Squirrels with spaces to gather in Armstrong Hall and Dudley/Lambertus Halls aptly called Nests! If you don’t know the story of the Purple Squirrel, make sure to connect with upperclassmen in the Nest or on LinkedIn to learn why we think our degrees help articulate the unique value we are poised to bring to our professional life.
In addition to participating in MDESS, students participate throughout the year in a wide variety of professional development, alumni, employer/recruiter and social events (both formal and informal). It’s a great way to meet others in the program, and benefit from how being small in size can feel LARGE in our ability to help you feel welcome.
Alumni
Our alumni play a critical role in guiding our students and program forward, while keeping an eye on our rich educational traditions. Alumni are encouraged to connect with existing students through both in-person and virtual experiences on campus.
Via our community on LinkedIn, social networks are formed between students and alumni who serve as mentors, offering informal educational insights and career advice. On campus, program alums visit classrooms and the NEST to share job opportunities and professional development skills.
Alumni of the MDE program also are asked to share perspectives on the quality and impact of their education via periodic surveys. Feedback from our alumni help the program keep a listening ear for shifts in longer-term program value, as well as find ways to make the program even more respected.
Corporate Mentors and Sponsors
In addition, the ENEIAC serve as critical constituents in assessing the workforce readiness of our overall student body. Using the overall program outcomes articulated for the MDE program, the ENEIAC serve as regular external assessment partners, conducting face-to-face interviews with students and alumni from our program, across concentration areas.