2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
    Oct 01, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

About Purdue University Northwest



 

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a premier metropolitan university dedicated to empowering transformational change in our students and in our community. Located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago, PNW values academic excellence, supports growth, and celebrates diversity. 

History

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) traces its roots to 1946, when Purdue University in cooperation with the federal government offered technical classes to Northwest Indiana production workers, and veterans returning from World War II eager to advance their futures. The Purdue system introduced degree credit courses in a variety of facilities in and around Hammond in 1946 and in Michigan City and La Porte as early as 1949.

Subsequently, land Purdue acquired through the Ross-Ade Foundation paved the way for development of two campuses—one south of Michigan City near Westville and the other in Hammond’s Woodmar neighborhood. The first building on the Hammond location opened in late 1951. A permanent Westville location introduced classes in fall of 1967.

Both campuses grew and developed into the premier metropolitan university PNW is today, offering a wide range of degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and applied doctoral levels, while responding to the professional, cultural, and economic needs of Northwest Indiana and beyond.

Purdue Northwest Senior Leadership

A single Board of Trustees governs the entire Purdue University system through the President of the University.

The Chancellor of Purdue University Northwest is the senior administrative officer on campus and reports to the President of Purdue University. Serving the Chancellor as senior administrators are:

  • Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost – responsible for all academic programs, faculty development, and the Center for Learning and Academic Success.
  • Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration – responsible for all business affairs including budget and finance, human resources, facilities and grounds, risk management and public safety.
  • Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement – responsible for advancing the university and overseeing alumni relations, communications, fund raising, university and community relations, and marketing.
  • Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs – Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs – responsible for admissions, registration, financial aid, student mental health and support services, housing and residential education, student life, and federal educational opportunity programs.
  • Vice Chancellor for Information Services – responsible for connecting the changing, emerging needs of technology with the knowledge generated through library resources.
  • Director of Athletics  – responsible for administering all aspects of the university’s intercollegiate athletics, fitness and recreational programs.

Purdue University Board of Trustees

  • Michael R. Berghoff, Chairman, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Gary J. Lehman, Vice Chairman, Lafayette, Indiana
  • Lawrence C. “Sonny” Beck, Atlanta, Indiana
  • JoAnn Brouillette, Lafayette, Indiana
  • Theresa C. Carter, Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Vanessa J. Castagna, Naples, Florida
  • Malcolm S. DeKryger, DeMotte, Indiana
  • Michael F. Klipsch, Carmel, Indiana
  • Kevin D. Boes – Great Falls, Montana
  • Shawn A. Taylor, Houston, Texas

Officers of Administration - Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Mung Chiang., President
  • Patrick Wolfe, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity
  • Roberto Gallardo, Vice President for Engagement
  • Eva Nodine, Senior Vice President and Deputy CFO
  • Amy Boyle, Vice President for Human Resources
  • Dimitrios Peroulis, Senior Vice President for Purdue Online and Learning Innovation
  • Michael A. Bobinski, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Kelly Hiller, Vice President for Marketing
  • Julie Rosa, Vice President for Communication
  • Michael B. Cline, Senior Vice President for Administrative Operations
  • Cherise R. Hall, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
  • Alyssa Wilcox, Chief of Staff, Senior Vice President for Partnerships
  • Brian E. Edelman, President, Purdue Research Foundation
  • Matthew D. Folk, Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Engagement
  • John F. Gates, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion
  • Sunil Prabhakar, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
  • Ian C. Hyatt, Chief Information Officer and Vice President for Information Technology
  • Cindy Ream, Corporate Secretary and Senior Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees
  • Adrian S. Allen, Vice President, and Deputy General Counsel
  • Wade A. Lange, Chief Entrepreneurial Officer, Purdue Research Foundation
  • Karen Plaut, Executive Vice President for Research
  • Beth M. McCuskey, Vice Provost for Student Life
  • Jenna L. Rickus, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning
  • Alysa Christmas Rollock, Vice President for Ethics and Compliance
  • Christopher A. Ruhl, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  • Steven R. Schultz, General Counsel

Purdue University Northwest, Hammond and Westville, Indiana

  • Kenneth C. Holford, Chancellor
    • Niaz Latif, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
    • Stephen R. Turner, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
    • Elizabeth Babcock Depew, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
    • Lisa Goodnight, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, and Professor of Communication
    • Timothy Winders, Vice Chancellor for Information Services
    • Richard Costello, Director of Athletics
    • Catharine Olsen, Director of Academic Operations and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor
    • Laura Odom, Executive Director, Institutional Equity
    • Leslie Plesac, Executive Director, Sinai Forum
    • Laura Pardonek, Senior Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
  • Niaz Latif, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs 
    • Rebecca Stankowski, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
    • Raida Abuizam,  Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
    • Niaz Latif, Associate Vice Chancellor for Commercialization and Research
    • Catharine Olsen, Director of Academic Operations and Chief of Staff to the Chancellor
    • Amy Fry, Dean, College of Nursing
    • Mohammad Zahraee, Interim Dean, College of Technology
    • Anne Gregory, Dean, College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
    • Bruce Berdanier, Dean, College of Engineering and Sciences
    • Rachel Clapp-Smith, Dean, College of Business
    • Jonathan Swarts, Dean, University College, and Honors College 
  • Stephen R. Turner, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
    • Jacob Lenson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Planning, Infrastructure and Facilities
    • Brian Miller, Director of Public Safety
    • Sue Miller, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources
    • Omar Sahmoudi, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business Services
    • Ashley Gerodimos, Executive Director of Events Management
    • Stephanie Blackstock, Executive Director Gabis Arboretum 
  • Lisa Goodnight, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, and Professor of Communication
    • Kris Falzone, Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications
    • Natalie Connors, Executive Director for Corporate Relations and Development Operations
    • Katie Holderby, Director of Alumni Engagement
    • Katie Stompor, Executive Director of Digital Media and Brand Management
    • Kara Griffin, Executive Assistant/Project Manager to the Vice Chancellor
  • Elizabeth Babcock Depew, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
    • Sandra Steele, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management
    • Colin Fewer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
    • Scott Iverson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Housing and Student Life
    • Heather Zamojski, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Success Technologies
    • Julie Wiejak, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions
    • Darien Thompson, Director of Student Success & Urban Engagemen
    • Iris Sanchez, Director of Hispanic Service Institution Initiatives
    • Tiffany Collins, Executive Administrative Assistant
  • Timothy Winders, Vice Chancellor for Information Services, Assistant Vice President, Distributed Campus Services and Deputy Chief Information Officer Purdue System
    • Madhuri Kulkarni, Director of Enterprise Applications
    • Daniel Bruhn, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Client Services
    • Katie Brown, Director, Office of Instructional Technology
    • Gail Kemper, Executive Assistant

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement

Purdue University is committed to maintaining a community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the University seeks to develop and nurture diversity. The University believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life.

Purdue University views, evaluates, and treats all persons in any University related activity or circumstance in which they may be involved, solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics.

Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. The University will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders and in conformance with the procedures and limitations as set forth in Purdue’s Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action policy which provides specific contractual rights and remedies. Additionally, the University promotes the full realization of equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans through its affirmative action program.

Any question of interpretation regarding this Nondiscrimination Policy Statement shall be referred to the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance for final determination.

Title IX

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” - Title IX

Title IX is part of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education. This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. Title IX applies to all participants of such programs, including students, parents and faculty/staff members. The purpose of Title IX is to help foster safe and respectful University environments that better protect students, faculty and staff from incidents of sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.

Purdue University Northwest’s Title IX Coordinator, Laura Odom, Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Equity, is responsible for the implementation of the University’s Title IX Harassment Policy.  Questions or concerns may be directed as follows:

Laura Odom, Executive Director
Office of Institutional Equity

Schwarz Hall, Room 148
1401 S. U.S. Hwy 421
Westville, IN 46391
(219) 785-5545

Lawshe Hall, Room 218
2200 169th Street
Hammond, IN 46323-2094
(219) 989-3169

odoml@pnw.edu

https://www.pnw.edu/oie

Indiana law requires each person 18 years and older to report child abuse or neglect to the police or Child Protective Services. In the event of an emergency, call 911. If it is not an emergency, immediately alert the police or Child Protective Services (1-800-800-5556). 

Your Campus, Your Safety

Your Campus, Your Safety - Purdue University Northwest’s annual security and fire safety reports are available online. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for Purdue University Northwest. The policy statements address Purdue University Northwest’s policies, procedures and programs concerning safety and security (i.e., policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses). Three years’ worth of statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the school and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus. The reports are available online by campus location:

Click here for the Campus Safety Report

You may also request a paper copy from the Purdue Northwest Hammond Police Department Office located at the east entrance of the Schneider Avenue Building. Located at the corner of 169th St. and Osborne, or the Purdue Northwest Westville Police Department Office located in Dworkin Student Services and Activities Center (DSAC) Room 1115.