The students are back and it makes for an exciting time on campus. We have great news to share about this year’s incoming class: young women make up 36 percent of the new class. This may not seem like much, but it is a significant uptick from the 32 percent it was the past two years. This comes from a concerted joint effort between the Brock-Wilson Center and the Daniels School’s recruitment team. I am excited to see what we will continue to do as we partner to help students understand that the School of Business is the right place for them to launch their college careers.
With the addition of a full-time assistant director, we have been able to expand our recruiting endeavors. We had a presence at the Indiana state DECA conference, Spring Fest on Purdue’s campus, the National DECA conference, and will be at the Homecoming festivities. Each of these is a way to expand awareness of the Daniels School and the Brock-Wilson Center. These efforts are making an impact.
How can you help? Eighth grade is a critical year for students because they are choosing their math path for high school. After that is ninth grade. If students choose to hop off the path that will propel them to at least pre-calculus or calculus, then they are likely taking themselves off the path that will lead to Purdue and the Daniels School of Business. These two educational stages are critical moments for us to connect with students and help them understand the importance of the math choices they make. This fall we will offer a one-day program for ninth and tenth graders that is an extension of a project that a group from a Learning Community course created a year and a half ago. We are also looking at ways to reach out to eighth graders through strategic activities.
As I close this note, fall always makes me think of a line from the movie "You’ve Got Mail." If I could, as a thank you for your interest in and support of the work of the center, “I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils.”
Cara Putman
Clinical Assistant Professor
Director, Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business
