Brooks Leftwich — Tennessee, U.S.
Engineering Education, Ph.D.
Graduation: May 2026
My research is focused on how graduating engineering students make their job choice decisions, particularly how beliefs and perceptions of social responsibility may influence that decision. This work intends to inform engineering educators and administrators aiding in their students' development and job choice process, company recruiters in their interview and selection process during the student's job search, and industry partners in the recruitment, hiring, and retention of engineering graduates with similar values.
Q
What do you hope to do after graduation?
A
hope to become a faculty member teaching engineering courses!
Q
What was the most valuable advice you received before or during graduate school?
A
The most valuable advice I have received is to stay open to research and mentorship opportunities early in your graduate school experience. Your interests and ideas may change and evolve, and it will be important to have connections across research domains.
Q
Why did you choose Purdue Engineering for your graduate studies?
A
Purdue Engineering offered me the opportunity to work with some of the pioneers in Engineering Education. I have also had the opportunity to pursue my passions among other bright and hardworking peers!
Q
What is the coolest thing you have encountered at Purdue?
A
The coolest thing I've seen while at Purdue is both The Purdue Big Bass Drum, the world's largest drum, and the "smallest 3D-printed sculpture of a percussion instrument," or the world's smallest drum!
Q
What do you do for fun at Purdue or nearby?
A
Throughout the spring, summer, and fall you will often find me at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex where I play golf most afternoons and weekends!
Q
If you could talk with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A
I would love to be able to talk to Tiger Woods! I grew up while he was by far the best golfer in the world, and he is one of the many reasons why I love golf as much as I do today. Golf is my passion and hobby outside of academics, and it helps keep me grounded and present when I go back to working on my projects. I would ask Tiger all about his motivation to play at a high level and how his experiences translate to his son, Charlie, as he grows into a great golfer himself.
Q
What's something unique about you, or something most people don't know?
A
Something most people won't know about me is that in addition to loving golf as a hobby and working as a graduate assistant full time, in the summers I also work at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex! It is a great way to spend the early mornings before most people are awake and spend more time at a place I love.
