Welcome back for the 2024-25 academic year!

Welcome to a new academic year!

These are exciting times for our institution as we adapt to new opportunities, innovate in how we best serve our students and continue extending our impact to our surrounding areas. I urge us for a moment to remember just how far we have come as an institution in the past few years. Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has dramatically changed since I joined the faculty more than 20 years ago, and now I am looking forward to collaborating with you on important initiatives that will help us define our future.

Our students are key to our success as an institution. The relationships we form with our students have a lasting impact as they transition to the over 70,000-strong PNW alumni community, many of whom remain in our area as they begin professional careers. As we set out together in this new academic year, I never want us to lose sight of our mission to walk the extra mile with students and guide them to meet their goals.

One of our most exciting tasks this year is to create our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, “Excellence Evolving.” During the fall semester, I strongly encourage you to actively participate in the campus listening sessions and one of the two engagement meetings on September 24th and 25th to help us shape our future. Through this planning process, we will collectively envision what the university will become. Please join me as we continue to work together to help our students and surrounding communities recognize and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Power Onward!

Kenneth C. Holford
Chancellor