Honors College Staff

Temitope F. Adeoye

Assistant Director of Blue Sky Lab and Clinical Assistant Professor

She/Her

Morgan State University, Purdue University 

Temitope (Temi) Adeoye is a clinical assistant professor and Assistant Director of the Blue Sky Lab in the John Martinson Honors College at Purdue University. She earned her BS in Psychology in 2011 from Morgan State University, a historically Black university in Baltimore, MD. She then came to Purdue University and earned her MSEd in 2019 and PhD in 2022 in Educational Studies. Her prior research has examined student motivation, student engagement, collaborative groupwork, and disciplinary belonging.

Through her work in the Blue Sky Lab, Temi will be working with faculty and students to explore interdisciplinary identity development and pedagogies.

• DUHM 118
• adeoye@purdue.edu

Rosanne Altstatt

Associate Dean for Community and Engagement

She/Her

University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Cologne, Carl-von-Osseitzky University 

Rosanne Altstatt is an art historian and Purdue University’s Associate Dean for Community and Engagement in Honors College. Her curatorial projects include a broad spectrum of media art, a microradio station, a compendium of short graphic novels on the subject of cancer, and an exhibition of vernacular studio photography. She was the inaugural Artistic Director of the Edith Russ Site for Media Art in Oldenburg, Germany, Curator-Director of Videonale in Bonn, and Co-curator of the independent exhibition space Schnitt Ausstellungsraum in Cologne. She has taught curating, art history, and mentored artists at several institutions including Carl-von-Ossietzky University, Maine College of Art, and University of the Arts ZHdK.

• HCRS 1057
• altstatt@purdue.edu

Andrew Archey

Honors Advisor

He/Him

Western Michigan University, Indiana University 

Andrew Archey earned his B.A. in History and Anthropology at Western Michigan University. After that, he spent a year working as a collections intern at Western’s Archives and Regional History Collection before earning an M.A. in Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University – Bloomington in 2017. Prior coming to Purdue, he began pursuing a Ph.D. in History, also at Indiana University – Bloomington, where he worked as a graduate teaching assistant and assistant instructor. Andrew’s academic interests include Ottoman and Safavid history, consumption studies, and travel writing in major cities in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, playing games and watching movies with his friends, and, of course, spending time with his cat, Harlan.

• HCRN 1146
• aarchey@purdue.edu
• 765-496-3807

Leighton Buntain

Global and Intercultural Scholar-in-Residence

Leighton works to support global programs and international students in the John Martinson Honors College. He completed his undergraduate degree in International Relations and Chinese language at the University of Calgary in Canada and his PhD in education at Purdue, focused on intercultural learning and cross-cultural contact. Prior to joining the Honors College, he worked in the International Programs office at Purdue and, before that, worked in various international education roles in Asia and Canada. He has previously lived and worked in East and Southeast Asia for over 15 years and is originally from Vancouver, Canada.

• Duhme 134A
• buntain@purdue.edu
• 765-496-3093

Grace Cameron

Recruitment Specialist

She/Her

Purdue University 

Grace serves as a Recruitment Specialist for the John Martinson Honors College. She is a Purdue Alumna. As a student at Purdue, Grace worked for University Residences. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education and minors in Spanish and Global Studies. Grace taught social studies for a year in Salt Lake City before returning to Purdue. Outside of work, she enjoys participating in the Purdue Salsa Dance club, cooking, traveling, reading good books and drinking great coffee.

• Duhme 134A
• camerong@purdue.edu
• 765-494-6758

Sophie Cole

Student Community Specialist

She/They

Purdue University 

Sophie is the John Martinson Honors College Student Community Specialist and is on the community enteam with duties that include an emphasis on supporting second-, third-, fourth-year and beyond students. She graduated last month from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Psychology and a concentration in Social Science. She has worked in higher education for over two years with specialties in diversity and equity initiatives, Honors education, and Orientation programs. She tells us she is incredibly excited to bring a little bit of Appalachia to Indiana. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, antiquing, making Taylor Swift playlists, and hanging out with her cat, Fitzgerald.

• HCRS 1064
• cole270@purdue.edu 

Kathryn Dilworth

Professor of Practice for Philanthropy and Executive Director of Strategic Relations

She/Her

University of Mississippi, University of Alabama Huntsville, Indiana University 

Kathryn Dilworth teaches and researches in the field of Philanthropic Studies. Her research is focused on fundraising practice and the role of social capital in cultivating impactful philanthropic investments through meaningful giving experiences. A great lover of libraries, Kathryn’s research is often positioned within academic and public libraries. Her professional practice is in the field of fundraising and strategic relations for nonprofit organizations. Courses are focused on fundraising practice, the nonprofit sector, social capital, and giving behavior.

• 1083 North
• kdilwort@purdue.edu

Tyler Ellenwood

Area Coordinator, Residential Life

He/Him

Purdue University 

I earned both my BS in Chemistry and Master of Business Administration from Purdue. I am currently finishing my MS in Higher Education, College Leadership and Administration from Purdue Global. During my time at Purdue, I served as both a Resident Assistant (RA) and a Residence Education Assistant before joining the University as a Residential Life professional staff member. In my role, I supervise the RAs and the 1200+ residents that live in our main Honors Residential Communities and oversee residential programming initiatives. Outside of supporting our residential students, I'm an avid Purdue Athletics fan and big backpacker.

• HCRHN 1063
• tellenwo@purdue.edu

Renée Gaarder

Program Assistant, Academic and International Affairs

She/Her

University of Idaho, Brigham Young University, Purdue University 

Renée received her Ph.D. in History from Purdue University in December of 2019 (Made in America: The Federal Music Project in the Midwest). She holds a B.A in Music History and Literature from the University of Idaho, an M.A. in Musicology from Brigham Young University (Thesis: Schumann’s Op. 25: Finding the Narrative Within), and an M.A. in History from Purdue University. Renée currently lives in Lafayette, Indiana with her husband Andrew, their daughter Genevieve, and their German Shepherd, Hilda. In addition to working for the Honors College, she teaches HIST 151 and 152 for the History Department. Renée also sings with the Lafayette Master Chorale, teaches Zumba and cycle classes at VASA Fitness, works with the youth in her church, serves as an officer on the PTA of her daughter’s school, and is the Secretary of the Midwestern History Association.

• Duhme 134
• rgaarder@purdue.edu
• 765-494-2992

Luke Gumaelius

Placemaking Facilitator

He/Him

Purdue University 

Luke Gumaelius is a scientist, builder, and artist. His art is intended to disrupt belief systems and challenge individuals to take action. His research in molecular biology informs his work as an artist in how his pieces represent the fundamental interconnectedness and mutual dependency of the larger world. Luke’s early work was in the form of murals, public art sculptures, and furniture as art. Current work is fine art with a social commentary and sculptures in dead fall wood and stainless steel that double as percussion instruments. 

His teaching in the John Martinson Honors College will be focused on public art that communicates scientific research and initiatives related to improving natural and human well-being. Students will engage with relevant research and collaborate to select the theme, artistic concept, project design, and project build. The resulting installation will be an evidence-based expression of a science-related condition or dilemma with informed guidance for action that can be taken by citizens. 

Luke received a BS in Entomology, MS in Entomology, and Ph.D. in Botany Plant Pathology from Purdue University. 

• gumaelil@purdue.edu

Sherry Hardebeck

Dean's Administrative Office Manager

She/Her

Indiana State University 

Sherry Hardebeck graduated with her B.S. in Human Resource Mgmt and Personnel and completed her M.S. in Career and Technical Education from Indiana State University.  Before joining the Honors College, she worked at Purdue in the Physical Facilities Administrative Office.  As the Dean's Administrative Manager, Sherry is responsible for the smooth management of the educational administration, public relations/outreach and discovery-related roles of the Dean.

• HCRN 1103
• sahardebeck@purdue.edu

Mindy Hart

Director of Recruitment and Admissions

She/Her

Purdue University 

Mindy has considerable knowledge of many areas across campus, having held positions in Computer Science, Engineering, Purdue Polytechnic and Recreational Sports. Mindy also spent 7 years as a high school teacher, teaching and coaching a variety of subjects and activities. Mindy is a fan of baseball, 80s movies, gummi bears, and laughing.

• HCRN 1081

Tracy Hieatt

Lead Administrative Assistant

Tracy is a Lafayette native, and have worked at Purdue for 26 years.  Tracy is the HONR course schedule deputy.  She provides academic support to the John Martinson Honors College faculty and Associate Dean for Academic & International Affairs.  She also serves as departmental liaison to ITAP and the office of International Students and Scholars.

• HCRS 1017
• hieatt@purdue.edu
• 765-494-7340

Brett Jaeger

Recruitment Specialist

He/Him

University of Wyoming, Pforzheim University 

Brett Jaeger earned a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Wyoming and a German B.S. in International Marketing from Pforzheim University. His professional background, extending from academic institutions to the professional sports and wine industry, makes him excited to continue his journey creating memorable experiences as a Recruitment Specialist for the John Martinson Honors College. When not working, he enjoys the occasional game night, cheering on his favorite hockey team, and cookie dough ice cream.

• Duhme 134A
• bljaeger@purdue.edu
• 765-494-6758

Melissa Jasek

Senior Administrative Assistant for NISO

She/Her

An employee in Honors College since June 2021, she is the senior administrative assistant for the National and International Scholarships Office (NISO). Enjoys her position helping her team help students. A Purdue employee for almost 14 years in various departments, has completed the Accomplished Clerical Excellence (A.C.E.) program. Work experience and being an A.C.E. graduate, have provided opportunities to network with many faculty and staff across campus. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and doting on her beagle girl, Pearl, and beagle-basset mix, Cooper.

• HCRS 
• jasek@purdue.edu

Matthew Joseph

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion

He/Him

Yale University, Columbia University 

Matthew Pessar Joseph is a twentieth-century American racial, cultural, and urban historian, completing his Ph.D. at Columbia University. His research moves beyond the traditional boundaries of the United States and explores Black Atlantic music emanating from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean and the greater Gulf Coast region. In his dissertation, Syncopating Segregation: Musical Cross-Pollination in Post-World War II New York City, he argues that by participating in diverse musical scenes, African American, Latinx, queer, and white residents of post-World War II New York City were able to transcend boundaries of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation at a time when scholars argue that Gotham became increasingly segregated. Matt has been awarded write-up fellowships from the Smithsonian Institution and the American Musicological Society and grants from Columbia University, Case Western Reserve University, and the Society of American Music. He received his B.A. from Yale University and hails from New Haven. Matt is committed to a creative, inclusive pedagogy, of reaching students where they are; his knowledge of music in Indiana and learning opportunities that the Greater Lafayette Area offers are astounding, and he will offer some very exciting courses to our students, in addition to expanding the unit’s programmatic initiatives that center DEIB.

• 149 Wood
• mejoseph@purdue.edu

Hyunju Lee

Visiting Clinical Instructor

She/Her

Ewha Womans University, Boston University, University of Iowa 

Hyunju Lee is a teacher-scholar applying philosophical insights to conduct interdisciplinary research on leadership and character development. Based on theories of aesthetics, her work examines the ways in which aesthetic experience empowers all students to become active social agents contributing to social transformation in many diverse ways. Before joining Honors College, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Program for Leadership and Character and the Department of Education at Wake Forest University. At Wake Forest, she developed and implemented an arts-integrated character and leadership education course, and she and her colleagues have designed research studies on the impact of arts-integrated pedagogy on social intelligence and leadership development.

She completed her Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership studies at the University of Iowa, specializing in educational philosophy, social-emotional learning, and multicultural/international education. Her research will continue to examine pedagogical approaches to leadership, character, and moral education that are concerned with the growth mindset, intercultural communication, and community engagement.

• Wood 149
• lee4494@purdue.edu

Chaonan Liu

Scholar in Residence for Undergraduate Research

She/Her

Ludong University - China,  Beijing Normal University - China, Purdue University

Chaonan Liu earned her M.S. in Cell Biology from Beijing Normal University, China. She completed her Ph.D. in biology education from Purdue University in 2021, where she worked as a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant. Her Ph.D. research focused on improving instruction for scientific reasoning during undergraduate biology laboratory investigations. During her spare time, she enjoys painting and spending time with her family.

• Duhme 134
• liu2313@purdue.edu
• 765-494-8582

Mariah Mendoza

Program Coordinator for Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion

She/Her

Purdue University 

Mariah is a proud Purdue alum who graduated with her B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in the Spring of 2021. As an undergraduate, Mariah was a Student Director of the PurdueVotes Coalition, and in this role, she worked to increase voter turnout among Purdue students, focusing especially on students of color. In her other co-curricular involvements with residence halls, and several cultural centers on campus, she organized events that expanded students' sense of community and belonging on campus. As the BEI program coordinator, Mariah works closely with JMHC's Student Diversity Officers to organize and facilitate events, support them in their research, and plan programs. In addition to working with students, she also works to develop initiatives that center diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) for faculty and staff at Purdue. In her free time, Mariah enjoys playing board games, reading, and spending time with her partner.

• Duhme 134
• mendoz71@purdue.edu
• 765-494-2565

Jordan Meyer

Data Manager

He/Him

Ball State University

As Data Manager, Jordan works closely with student data and the college's assessment efforts. His background in sociology and institutional research combines with a strong interest in R programming and quantitative methods to facilitate data-informed decision making. He is currently pursuing his PhD in sociology at Purdue University with a focus on inequities in higher education.

• Duhme 120
• meyer271@purdue.edu
• 765-496-3790

Mike Morton

Senior Honors Advisor

He/Him

University of Central Missouri

Mike has spent the last seven years helping to develop and grow the Honors Advising team. He also coordinates Family Weekend, and other family relations efforts for the college.

He earned his bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Journalism, and his master's in College Student Personnel Administration, both from the University of Central Missouri. Mike was a graduate assistant for the university president and the alumni relations. For two years prior to Purdue, Mike helped develop an RN-BSN program at Wright State University.

Mike enjoys golf, hiking, photography, cooking, and roadtrips to see friends and family.

• HCRN 1104
• morton35@purdue.edu
• 765-496-1884

Lindsay Perrault

Media Coordinator

She/Her

University of Wisconsin, Purdue University 

Lindsay Perrault serves as the Media Coordinator for the Honors College. With more than a decade of experience in television news, she brings a journalistic perspective to the college’s message designs.  Before joining Purdue, Lindsay was a morning news anchor for various Midwest television stations. She has earned numerous awards for her anchoring and reporting, including an Emmy nomination for an investigation into Wisconsin’s regulation of for-profit colleges. Lindsay holds an M.S. in strategic communication from Purdue and graduated with a B.A. in journalism and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to her work with the Honors College, Lindsay is an adjunct assistant professor for the University of Maryland Global Campus where she teaches journalism and public speaking. Lindsay also teaches journalism and television production classes at Purdue.

• HCRN 1097
• lperraul@purdue.edu

Dani Parsons

Honors Advisor

They/Them

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Purdue University

Dani takes a holistic approach to advising, taking the time to get to know each advisee as an individual. They are part of the university's Inclusive Advising Initiative, which focuses on improving black Boilermakers' experience at Purdue. Dani also co-mentors Honors College student researchers in the Tech Justice Lab on a project focused on algorithmic bias against transgender people in the workforce. In their spare time, Dani enjoys baking, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and spending quality time with their wife.

• HCRN 1134
• parsondm@purdue.edu
• 765-496-1146

Catharine Patrone

Chief of Staff

She/Her

The Ohio State University

Catharine Patrone completed her B.A. in communication and minors in women’s studies and human development and family science and M.A. in higher education and student affairs at Ohio State University. Prior to coming to Purdue University, Catharine served in the capacities of Graduate Associate and Program Coordinator at the University Honors & Scholars Center at Ohio State University. In 2005, Catharine joined the newly-formed University Honors Program (UHP) at Purdue as the Assistant Director. The UHP transitioned to the Honors College in 2012. As Chief of Staff in the Honors College, Catharine directs and oversees Honors College student data management and coordinates the Beering and Stamps scholarship programs. Catharine resides in West Lafayette, and in her free time, enjoys following professional tennis and spending time with friends and family.

• HCRN 1097
• cpatrone@purdue.edu

Jasmine Pruitt

Honors Advisor

She/Her

Prescott College, Wayne State University 

Jasmine Pruitt is a California native who received a Bacheor's degree in Arts and Letters emphasis in Creative Writing from Prescott College in Arizona. In 2016 she moved to Michigan with her family and earned a Masters degree in Creative Writing from Detroit, Mi. Before joining the Honors College at Purdue, Jasmine gave a year of service to AmeriCorps as a City Year for Detroit Public Schools. Jasmine currently lives in West Lafayette with her sister who is a Phd student at Purdue and their dog, Blanket.

• HCRN 1136
• pruittjc@purdue.edu

Jess Ramsey

Director of Advising

She/Her

University of Mount Union, Kent State University

Jess serves as the Director of Advising for the Honors College. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Mount Union, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel from Kent State University, and an MBA from Purdue University Global. Prior to working with the Honors College, Jess spent six years working with Purdue Promise- most recently serving as the Senior Assistant Director for the program. She has led study abroad programs to Spain and has taught several courses across campus. Outside of work, Jess enjoys hiking, climbing, travel, reading, and cats.

• HCRN 1106
• jnramsey@purdue.edu
• 765-496-7348

Mizan Rahman

Student Community Coordinator

He/Him

University of Illinois-Chicago

Mizan serves as Student Community Coordinator with duities that include an emphasis on supporting first-year students. His expertise lies in student services and leadership development. Mizan graduated with a PhD in Disability Studies from University of Illinois-Chicago in Septermber. From 2013-2018, he worked at BRAC (world's largest INGO) in the Youth Project Initiative (EGLI)-Atlas Corps and for the Asia-Europe Foundation. Outside his profession, he has run campiagns for an inclusive society and has been recognized in the "Forbes 30 under 30" for his contributions. He has a family with two sons, and all of them love gardening and traveling. 

• HCRN 1064
• rahma131@purdue.edu 

Allison Roberts

Program Manager, Leading Women Toward Space Careers

She/Her

Purdue University, University of Portsmouth - England, United Kingdom 

Allison Roberts is the program manager for the new JMHC program, "Leading Women Toward Space Careers." She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, an M.A. in Political Science (Purdue University) and B.A. in History and Political Science (Purdue University). Her qualitative Ph.D. research, Life after traumatic injury: narratives of embodiment and identity of United Kingdom ex-service personnel, explored the life stories of ex-service personnel who experienced a traumatic injury (such as limb loss, hearing loss, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or blindness) and were subsequently medically discharged. She has worked for the university for over a decade.

Allison's previous experiences include an internship for the Deputy Administrator at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., and being a Visiting Scholar in the School of Geography, Politics, and Sociology at Newcastle University in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Additionally, Dr. Roberts co-taught the Honors College course, Security, Technology, and Society, with Dr. Dwaine Jengelley, in Spring 2021 and 2022. This course engaged students in collaborative, team-based research on topical security issues to create White Papers and Policy Briefs.

In the Fall of 2020, Allison piloted the Honors College course entitled Centuries of War: Knowing War through Shared Experiences. The course included sources—specifically memoirs, poems, letters, and (auto)biographies—from the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• allisonroberts@purdue.edu

Chloe Roberts

Event and Programming Manager

She/Her

University of Southern Indiana 

Chloe graduated with her B.S. in Communication Studies from the University of Southern Indiana. Before joining the Honors College, she worked in Healthcare Administration as the Family Medicine Residency Program Coordinator at Conway Regional Health System in Conway, AR. In her role as the Event and Programming Manager, she plans and executes university level and large events held by the Honors College including logistics, vendor management, and symposia. In her spare time, Chloe enjoys wedding planning and spending time at the baseball field with her husband along with playing with her two Frenchie fur babies.

• HCRS 1022
• rober730@purdue.edu
• 765-496-2195

Michael Russell

Student Community Manager

Ball State University 

Michael graduated with a B.S. in Biology with a focus on sustainability from Ball State University. Before coming into student success roles, he managed greenhouses. He tended to 1800 different orchid species in the Wheeler Orchid Collection and Species Bank and continues to keep a small collection of Phals in his office. From exotic plant conservation and control growth environments, he pivoted to Scholar Development with the NISO office. There he focused on first- and second- year students and helping them maximize their university experience. He currently is stepping into a Community Development Manager role with the JMHC and looks forward to collaborating with old friends and the many new faces in the college. In his spare time he enjoys, playing cooperative boardgames, wrangling overgrowing houseplants, and listening to podcasts.

• HCRS 1022
• russel75@purdue.edu

Chelsea Sanders

Program Coordinator for Leadership Development

She/Her

Tennessee Technological University 

I am Chelsea Sanders, and I am very excited to serve as the Program Coordinator for Leadership Development. I received my B.S. in Agriculture with a concentration in communications from Tennessee Technological University (TTU). While at TTU, I was elected as the Tennessee Future Farmers of America (FFA) State President and spent a year facilitating workshops for high school students based on leadership, service, and agriculture education. Additionally, during my time at TTU, I was heavily involved from Admissions and Residential Life to the Honors College and undergraduate research. I have a passion for international agriculture and spent a semester in Athens, Greece, as well as some shorter learning experiences in Costa Rica and the Netherlands. After graduation I worked in service and merchandising at Tractor Supply’s Corporate office and in the agricultural lending world at Farm Credit Mid-America. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to get back to working with students. I love to read and spend time enjoying the outdoors.

• Duhme 134
• sande324@purdue.edu

Veronica Schirm

Director of the National and International Scholarship Office

She/Her

Purdue University 

Veronica Schirm graduated with her B.A. in Psychology and minor in Spanish from Purdue University in 2000. She completed her M.S.Ed. in Counseling and Development with a specialization in Mental Health Counseling in 2003 also from Purdue. Veronica has worked in various student services roles during her 20-year career at Purdue, including her early positions in academic advising.

• HCRS
• vaschirm@purdue.edu
• 765-496-3389

Lindsay Sheedy

Scholar Development Advisor

She/Her

University of Wisconsin - Madison, Washington University - St. Louis 

Born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lindsay earned her B.A. in Art History and Italian Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She continued her studies in art history at Washington University in St. Louis, where she completed her M.A. in 2016 and her PhD in 2021. At WashU, Lindsay spent three years as a teaching assistant for the Department of Art History and two years as a fellow at WashU’s The Writing Center, roles for which she earned her department’s and her university’s top teaching honors. Lindsay’s own studies culminated in a year-long residency at the American Academy in Rome, where she held a 2020-2021 Rome Prize fellowship while finishing her dissertation on painted sculpture in early modern Naples and Puglia. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, listening to audiobooks, and seeking out adventures big and small.

• lsheedy@purdue.edu
• 765-494-3617

Emily Sheetz

Honors Advisor

She/Her

Indiana Wesleyan University, Baldwin Wallace University

Emily serves as an Honors Advisor for the John Martinson Honors College. As a graduate of the John Wesley Honors College, she has long been passionate about supporting students as they pursue meaning in their Honors College experience and find belonging in both the college community as well as the world at large. She graduated with her B.S.in General Studies and Honors Humanities from Indiana Wesleyan University and received her MAEd in Leadership in Higher Education from Baldwin Wallace University. Prior to coming to Purdue, Emily held roles in residence life, community engagement, and the Baldwin Wallace University Honors Program. Outside of work, Emily enjoys getting outside, trying to cook good food, playing board games with friends, reading all the books on her to-be-read list with a good cup of coffee, and traveling.

• HILL C18A
• easheetz@purdue.edu
• 765-496-6369

Kathryn Smith

Scholarship Writing Consultant and Peace Corps Prep Program Coordinator

Saint Olaf College, University of Minnesota; UIUC

Kathryn Smith is the Writing Consultant and Peace Corp Prep Coordinator at NISO. She started her career writing and producing newsletters in the same climate zone from a coastal Japanese village on northeastern Honshu to Harvard Law School’s East Asian Legal Studies Program in Boston. She has used her fluency in Spanish and Japanese in various roles across business, education, and government. She is anchored in the Midwest through her family roots in Iowa and her education in Minnesota and Illinois. The daughter of a legal wordsmith and a seamstress, Kathryn thinks of writing as sewing with our words.

• smit4496@purdue.edu

Phelan C. Tinsley

Academic Advisor

He/Him

Radford University

Phelan Tinsley earned his B.A. in English at Radford University in Virginia. He had a concentration in creative writing which led to several published works. Phelan later earned his M.A. in English from Radford with a focus on literature as resistance. While studying he met authors such as Dorothy Allison and Kemba Smith. He was also lucky to meet activists Angela Davis and Winona LaDuke, as well as Dr. Joy DeGruy. In 2017 he joined Rochester Americorps in Rochester, New York where he spent a year in Rochester City Schools. One broken pair of glasses later he migrated to Indiana and taught at Ivy Tech Community College before dipping his wheels in banking at Purdue Federal Credit Union. He resides in West Lafayette with the love of his life, Amelia—the cat. Together they raise plants.

• HCRN 1140
• pctinsle@purdue.edu

Onyx Uzomah

Honors Advisor

She/Her

California State University - Dominguez Hills, Purdue Univeristy

Onyx received her B.S. in General Biology with a minor in Business Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills. She then made the move from the west coast to Purdue University and earned her M.S. in Biological Sciences in 2014. Prior to joining the Honors College, Onyx taught anatomy and physiology to pre-nursing students at Ivy Tech Community College, and worked with 6th-8th graders in special education with both the Lafayette and Tippecanoe school corporations. A few of her favorite things include reading voraciously, everything purple, singing, cake, dancing, 3 Musketeers, sewing, and analyzing the Marvel Cinematic Universe with her son.

• HCRN 1142
• ouzomah@purdue.edu
• 765-496-0534

Leslie Valiant

Communications Manager

She/Her

Purdue University, Purdue University Gobal 

Leslie is a graduate of Purdue University with an M.S. in Organizational Psychology, a B.A. in Communication, and an A.S. in Computer Graphics Technology. She has 23 years of small business marketing and communication experience serving a wide variety of industries and clients. Leslie’s areas of emphasis are website design and development, professional writing, and project management. In her spare time, Leslie enjoys hiking, playing tennis, traveling with her family, and attending sporting events.

• DUHM 132
• lvaliant@purdue.edu

Sarah Vaughn

Program Administrator

She/Her

Sarah serves as the Senior Administrative Assistant for the Associate Dean for Research & Creative Endeavors. She has been with Purdue in many different units for 15 years. Sarah is a graduate of the Accomplished Clerical Excellence (ACE) program and completed her certificate in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. She helped to create the Black and Gold and Green Tailgate Recycling Team and the Purdue Farmer's Market, which both support her personal mission of sustaining a greener, healthier planet. Outside of work, Sarah is an avid gardener, cat mom, and rock-n-roll enthusiast.

• HCRS 1017
• svaughn@purdue.edu
• 765-494-1101

Alyssa Wagner

Honors Advisor

She/Her

Bemidji State University, University of Houston

Alyssa graduated from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She earned her M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Art Education from the University of Houston located in Houston, Texas. Before coming to Purdue and the Honors College, Alyssa spent almost a decade as a teacher. She taught math, science, and social studies for several different grade levels, as well as Elementary Visual Arts before eventually moving to Middle School (7th & 8th Grade) Visual Arts. Alyssa is a huge advocate of the arts and Arts Education as well as Mental Health Education. Outside of the office, Alyssa loves all things plaid, Andes Mints, Werther's Original Candies, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and playing board games.

• HCRN 1100
• wagnerak@purdue.edu
• 765-494-4230