Honors College celebrates major milestones, welcomes new dean

Purdue marked several exciting milestones for the John Martinson Honors College (JMHC) during an Aug. 30 event, including welcoming the new dean and associate vice provost of honors, Prof. Felisa Higgins. 

Associate Vice Provost and Dean Dr. Felisa Higgins

Higgins, who earned her Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Purdue, joins the college from Pennsylvania State University, where she served as associate dean of undergraduate education at the Smeal College of Business. Her extensive experience in academia and industry, including a notable role with Kimberly-Clark, is expected to bring new perspectives and leadership to the JMHC and honors education. Higgins will also serve faculty appointments as a clinical professor in the Mitch Daniels School of Business and a professor of practice in industrial engineering by courtesy.

In her inaugural address, Higgins spoke with passion and gratitude, focusing on the importance of community and collaboration within the Honors College and across Purdue. She acknowledged the students, families, faculty, staff and alumni who have been integral to the college's success. Higgins emphasized that the success of the college is a collective effort, made possible by the contributions of everyone involved.

From left: Jeannie Chaney; AVP and JMHC Dean Felisa Higgins; Senior Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Jenna Rickus; Jim Chaney

Highlighting the importance of giving back, Higgins shared a personal anecdote to thank the college’s donors and supporters. She compared their generosity to holding the door open for others, saying, “Thank you for holding the door open. You walked through, looked back, and said, ‘I want to ensure others can walk through as well.’"

Higgins will report to Purdue’s Senior Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning Jenna Rickus, who also gave remarks at the Aug. 30 event. Rickus reflected on recent successes and upcoming initiatives for the college, which launched 10 years ago. 

“This next chapter for the John Martinson Honors College is all about impact,” Rickus shared, referencing several major highlights propelling the JMHC toward its next phase:

• Top 8 National Ranking: The JMHC recently was recognized among the top honors colleges in the country, securing the eighth position in College Transitions' “50 Best Honors Colleges” list. This ranking is based on factors such as academic rigor, selective admissions and comprehensive program benefits. The honor underscores the college’s dedication to providing outstanding undergraduate education and its strong return on investment, as highlighted in the recent edition of “Colleges Worth Your Money.”
• Transformative Gift Celebrated: The JMHC recently received a transformative $750,000 gift from Jeannie and Jim Chaney. This significant donation funded the Pharmacy and Nursing Scholars Endowment to provide scholarships for students in the Pharmacy and Nursing programs within the JMHC. The endowment is set to enhance financial support for students and serves as a model for future scholarship initiatives.

These updates reflect the JMHC’s ongoing efforts to enhance its programs and support for students through collaborative innovation. 

“The future of the JMHC is incredibly bright,” Rickus said. “Dr. Higgins brings a visionary approach to leadership, our national ranking reflects the hard work and dedication of our community and the Chaney’s generous gift sets the stage to transform our scholarship capabilities. Together, these elements will propel us into a new era of excellence and opportunity.”

Please enjoy this photo gallery recapping the event. Individuals interested in making a gift to the John Martinson Honors College can learn more online. 

Andrea Mattingly

Director of Communication for Teaching and Learning, andrea@purdue.edu