Pride and Gratitude for 2024
It is with immense pride that I reflect on what has been a remarkable period of growth and accomplishment during my first year as chancellor. I am sincerely grateful to all faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders for their support for our ambitious goals to lead transformational change.
This year has marked achievements that underscore our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community impact. I invite you to see some highlights from 2024.
One of the most significant milestones in 2024 was the addition of a third doctoral degree, affirming PNW’s status as a doctoral-granting institution. The Doctor of Psychology as well as a newly launched master’s of social work degree prepare students to address needs for mental health resources in Northwest Indiana.
A new master’s degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) fills the gaps of much needed skills for industry. These advanced programs are a testament to the caliber of our faculty and our ability to prepare students for the highest levels of professional and academic achievement.
In addition to our academic achievements, we have seen a remarkable increase in impactful research and innovation efforts by our faculty. Our faculty, staff, and students are bringing millions of dollars annually in funding for impactful research and innovation efforts to Northwest Indiana, at levels unmatched by other mid-size or regional institutions in the state. Research awards have nearly tripled over a five-year period.
By fostering research opportunities, we empower students to engage in hands-on projects that translate classroom learning into real-world applications. PNW-led research is changing lives in meaningful ways, increasing efficiency in industry and business, and transforming how people interact with their environment.
Our faculty, staff and students are bringing tens of millions of dollars annually in funding for impactful research and innovation efforts to Northwest Indiana, at levels unmatched by other mid-size or regional institutions in the state
Among the many accomplishments, we are now a national leader in clean energy technology and a national center of academic excellence in cyber defense. In 2025, we are excited to redevelop a downtown Hammond site into the Roberts Impact Lab at PNW. This facility will bring training and innovation for quantum information science and technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity into one state-of-the-art location.
PNW is the largest Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Indiana, as designated by the U.S. Department of Education. This designation is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to fostering a welcoming campus and serving the communities in which we reside.
By opening new doors to federal funding, this designation allows us to expand opportunities for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and to enhance the resources we provide for the academic and personal success of all students. PNW was also recently named a College of Distinction, the only regional public institution in Indiana to earn this recognition.
At the heart of these achievements lies our steadfast dedication to improving and enriching the student experience. Our transition toward a more traditional university experience includes enhancing spaces for students to live, study, and collaborate. This spring we will begin construction of a new residence hall on the Hammond campus, which will be ready for occupancy in fall 2026.
Computer-generated rendering of a third residence hall on Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond campus. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025 and the building is expected to be ready for occupancy for the fall 2026 semester.
Our dedication to enhancing student opportunities extends to athletics as well. We have expanded our roster of student athletes by adding STUNT and will be adding women’s ice hockey soon. Our teams have achieved great success, including championship victories, further enhancing the vibrancy of campus life.
PNW’s impact extends beyond our campuses. We play a pivotal role in the economic development of Northwest Indiana, adapting to meet the needs of our region and working closely with surrounding communities and municipalities. Through expanded partnerships with local industries and businesses, we are fostering innovation with a national reach. Our work in emerging fields, such as quantum technologies, positions PNW to prepare students for a rapidly changing world while meeting local future workforce needs.
PNW is approaching its 10-year anniversary as an institution, and with your help, we are developing a strategic plan to reflect our ambitious path forward. As we celebrate our progress in 2024 and look to the future, I invite you to join me in shaping the next chapter of PNW’s story. Changing students’ lives starts with us! Together we will continue to embrace new challenges and opportunities with the same spirit of gratitude, resilience, and ambition that has embodied our first decade.
My best wishes to you and your families for a happy and productive 2025. Thank you again for all your work and Power Onward!
Sincerely,
Kenneth C. Holford
Chancellor