PNW Leadership Urges Faculty and Staff to Collectively ‘Write Our Future’
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Marie Mora jointly addressed PNW faculty and staff members during the 2024 Year Ahead presentation, highlighting the university community’s recent accomplishments and enthusiastically previewing PNW’s next transformational steps.
Holford and Mora together emphasized the collaborative partnerships and resources across the university that deliver meaningful support for students. The drive for excellence on behalf of the PNW faculty and staff consistently produces a welcoming, inclusive learning environment where students feel valued.
“One of the things that makes us special as an institution is that many of you were recruited here to help us address students’ needs,” said Holford. “We are here to serve students and provide opportunities for the highest quality education possible, prepare students for future careers and build a workforce in Northwest Indiana.
“Our students come from many different backgrounds. They require support almost on an individual level to help them be successful on their college journey. All of us work together to make that happen. You, as employees, belong here. You are here to help us meet our mission.”
We are here to serve students and provide opportunities for the highest quality education possible, prepare students for future careers and build a workforce in Northwest Indiana.
PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford
Holford and Mora cited the socioeconomic impact a PNW education provides students and their families. A third-party economic impact study shows a bachelor’s degree from PNW earns a graduate an average of $22,200 more in income each year compared to someone with only a high school diploma in Indiana.
Furthermore, Holford and Mora drew attention to PNW’s recent designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The recognition reflects PNW’s commitment to focusing on what best serves students and responding to community members’ evolving needs.
“We are really focusing on that word, ‘serving,’ and what that means to truly serve our students,” said Mora. “Our student body is increasing in diversity. We want to make sure that our students do not fall behind. We are looking at ways that we are reflecting changes in the community. We have an obligation to monitor and track the progress of all of our students from different groups.”
Holford and Mora touted the innovative and transformative nature of both PNW’s academic programs and the external partnerships with industry and community organizations. New cohorts of Psychology master’s and doctoral students, as well as recruitment for master’s students in Social Work and Applied Artificial Intelligence, are some of the examples of qualifying motivated students to address contemporary needs.
We are really focusing on that word, ‘serving,’ and what that means to truly serve our students,
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Marie Mora
PNW, as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University, is integrally involved with initiatives with national implications that are propelling Northwest Indiana forward. Major collaborations in steel decarbonization, the hydrogen economy, quantum computing and cybersecurity showcase the high caliber of PNW faculty and students. PNW researchers also collectively had another record year of earning sponsored research and development grants, with $15.3 million earned during 2023-24.
Amid these different exciting initiatives, Chancellor Holford also pointed to the unprecedented support from Purdue President Mung Chiang and the Purdue Board of Trustees. PNW was prioritized in the Board’s approval of the systemwide 2025-2027 Legislative Capital Project Request. The plan provides a key opportunity for projects identified in PNW’s Targeted Renewal Plan, including significant renovation of the Student Union and Library Building, demolition of Porter Hall and expansion of Founders Plaza.
Chancellor Holford, in conclusion, urged PNW faculty and staff to find personally meaningful ways to become involved in impacting students beyond the classroom, such as joining university governing boards, attending or becoming involved with student organizations and cheering on PNW Pride student-athletes. At the same time, the campus community can participate in strategic planning engagement meetings that help contribute to PNW’s 2025-2030 “Excellence Evolving” strategic plan.
“Help us write our future. Be a part of who we want to be. It means all of us play a role in creating an environment where our students can be successful,” said Holford.
To view the full 2024 “Year Ahead” address by Chancellor Holford and Provost Mora, please stream the video below.