Brooks Leftwich — Tennessee
Engineering Education, Ph.D.
Graduation: May 2026
I'm investigating undergraduate students' ethical development, and I am specifically interested in understanding why students choose specific jobs upon graduation and how a company's or industry's ethical foundation may influence that decision.
Q
What do you hope to do after graduation?
A
My hope is to become a tenure-track professor at an R1 institution.
Q
What was the most valuable advice you received before or during graduate school?
A
The most valuable piece of advice I received was to be open to a change in perspective or a shift in interests. Graduate school provides a ton of opportunities to explore different interests, and sometimes the interests you came in with can evolve into new and more exciting things.
Q
Why did you choose Purdue Engineering for your graduate studies?
A
Purdue Engineering offered the best opportunity to network with leading minds in my field and a world-class education to position me well after graduation.
Q
If you could describe Purdue Engineering Graduate Programs in 3 words, which would you choose?
A
Innovative, Supportive, Collaborative
Q
What is the coolest thing you have encountered at Purdue?
A
The coolest thing for me so far at Purdue has been the outdoor community music spaces.
Q
What do you do for fun at Purdue or nearby?
A
I play golf at the Purdue golf courses at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex!
Q
If you could talk with any person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A
I would love to talk to Tiger Woods, especially if we were able to play golf at the same time. I grew up watching him play during his most successful years, and it would be great to spend time with him.
Q
Favorite food and why:
A
My favorite food is Impossible Taco Pie, a recipe I found in an old cookbook I picked up from a thrift store. It is super easy to make and the leftovers are even better.
