Faculty, staff, and graduate student ambassadors gather during the Sloan Center for Systemic Change (SCSC) 2025 launch event. The participants, representing various departments across the university, came together to collaborate on initiatives. Purdue is setting a new standard for excellence in graduate STEM education, ensuring that all students of merit have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the advancement of excellence in their fields.

The Sloan Center for Systemic Change (SCSC) at Purdue University marked a significant milestone with its community launch event on January 9, 2025. This gathering brought together faculty champions, grant partners, and graduate student ambassadors from across the university to kickstart a transformative journey in graduate education. Specifically, the team is made of representatives from the Purdue University College of Engineering, College of Science, and Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS).

Uniting for Systemic Change

The launch event, held at the Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC), served as a platform for uniting departments across Purdue's SCSC. Participants explored what systemic change for graduate students looks like in their units and identified effective strategies to drive meaningful improvements in promoting graduate student excellence.

Key Components of the Launch

The day-long program featured a series of engaging activities designed to foster collaboration and innovation:

• Grant Activities Sessions: Attendees delved into the Self-Study and Community of Practice findings and explored SCSC partnerships.
• Discipline Roundtable Discussions: Faculty and students engaged in discipline-specific conversations to address unique challenges and opportunities.
• Grad Ambassador Activities: Graduate student ambassadors shared their initiatives, providing valuable insights from the student perspective.
• Discipline Highlights: Departments such as Chemical Engineering and Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) showcased their progress and plans.

Planning for Impactful Change

The event culminated in a working lunch where attendees brainstormed ideas, determined action plans, and identified resources necessary for implementing systemic change. This collaborative approach underscores Purdue's commitment to empowering leaders and promoting graduate excellence in STEM fields.

Aligning with the Purdue Sloan Scholar Program Mission

The SCSC launch event directly addressed the four key objectives of the Sloan Scholar program at Purdue:

1. Attracting Talented Domestic Students: By uniting departments and exploring systemic change, Purdue aims to enhance its ability to compete for top domestic talent in STEM fields.
2. Preparing Students for Successful Careers: Focus on preparing graduate students for successful careers through a cohort model that emphasizes mentoring, builds community and a sense of belonging, and reduces barriers that prevent or limit students from realizing their full potential.
3. Expanding Pathways: Expand and strengthen pathways and partnerships that broaden the participation of excellent students in STEM graduate programs.
4. Enhancing Faculty Mentorship: The event provided a platform for faculty to engage in discussions about improving the graduate student experience and becoming better mentors.

As Purdue University launches 2025 initiatives for this two-year program, the SCSC is poised to make significant strides. Purdue is setting a new standard for excellence in graduate STEM education, ensuring that all students of merit have the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the advancement of excellence in their fields.

The event culminated in a working lunch where attendees brainstormed ideas, determined action plans, and identified resources necessary for implementing systemic change. This collaborative approach underscores Purdue's commitment to empowering leaders and promoting graduate excellence in STEM fields.