Engineering Honors Program advisors support students beginning the college journey - Engineering Honors Program - Purdue University

Accelerated classes.  

Advanced design projects.  

And a presence on Discord, started by a supportive advising team.  

The Engineering Honors Program (EHP) at Purdue University is made for students with an intense desire to take their engineering degree above and beyond by engaging in interdisciplinary academics, leadership development, community and global engagement, and undergraduate research. They are supported by an advising staff awarded in 2024 by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) for its innovative, adaptive approach to connecting with students, even before students set foot on campus.  

The advising team's drive to connect with students took it to Discord, where it has been ever since.  

While not a typical spot for university advisors to meet students, the EHP advising team in West Lafayette — associate director Suzanne Coolbaugh-Walker, lead academic advisor MaKenzie Campbell and senior academic advisor Nikki Mosher — were up for blazing a new trail. Students all over the country and globe were given a unique chance to connect with each other and with current Purdue Engineering students. 

The server was so effective that the team continued hosting chats, giving the new students a community run by them and for them. 

Because of this, EHP students come to Purdue well-connected, both to each other and to their supportive staff. 

Once students arrive at Purdue, the advisory team provides on-on-one services both online and in the office. Advisors focus deeply on one-on-one encounters and exciting, low-stakes challenges — like LEGO builds in design courses — to aid students in cultivating relationships as well as handling problems when they arise. Students are encouraged to “accept challenges that stretch their critical thinking, technical, integrative and communication skills” with the support and guidance of their advisors, according to Walker. 

Students aren’t the only ones the team works to challenge regularly: Advisors meet weekly to discuss leadership strategies, self-care insights or the students they serve. The team is a perpetual feedback loop of learning, growing and supporting one another and students to lead fulfilling and exciting lives at Purdue. 

“Suzanne, Kenzie and Nikki, the advising team in the College of Engineering Honors Program, cultivate a deep educational experience for high-ability students in the College of Engineering,” said Jackie Linnes, who was EHP’s director when the team won the NACADA 2024 Outstanding Advising Program Award. “From their first new beginning student advising appointments with admitted students, to creating a Discord messenger for that critical period of transition to college, to peer mentoring and early interventions for academic success, the team is consistently going above and beyond to meet students on their terms and help them excel.” 

Innovative support for high-achieving EHP students requires creative use of the team’s resources to tackle both common and unique advising issues. But the impact is clear at Purdue —and wherever else EHP students go after. 

“Suzanne, Kenzie, and Nikki combine empathy, expertise and encouragement to develop and implement evidence-based solutions with individualized support for our high-achieving students,” Linnes said. “I'm so proud of our team."