Our Team
Every member of the Purdue Marketing and Communications team brings a distinct set of skills, a range of experience — and yes, a spirit of persistence — to telling the Purdue story.
Leadership Team
Brand and Strategy
Abby Eddy
Brand Director, Purdue Global
Abby Eddy
Brand Director, Purdue Global
If you see something on Purdue’s social channels, Abby likely had a hand in getting it there. She leads the team that devises a content plan to engage Purdue’s audience.
Her road to professional marketer started with a dream of becoming a professional cellist. As a teen, she created marketing plans to promote her cello recitals and performances, which led her to study marketing in college. She earned a master’s in strategic communication from Purdue.
She’s a former member of the No. 1 Billy Joel cover band in Central Illinois — Silly Joel — and now plays cello with the local Tom Petty cover band Eddy Petty.
Katie Ellis
Director, Marketing Strategy
Katie Ellis
Director, Marketing Strategy
As “the calm within the storm,” Katie thinks fast, keeps cool and draws on her marketing experience from a tech startup to a Fortune 500 company. Even at a mile-a-minute pace, she focuses on strategic objectives and goals.
She comes from a long line of Boilermakers and is herself a double Boiler with an undergraduate degree from the Lamb School of Communication and an MBA from the Krannert School of Management.
Katie enjoys reading and dreaming of owning a bookstore. She also fancies baking, inspired by “The Great British Bake Off,” and she’s been perfecting her French patisserie skills.
Ali McNichols
Director, Brand Content
Ali McNichols
Director, Brand Content
A wellspring of enthusiasm and energy for telling the story, Ali has worked for some of the top creative agencies in Indianapolis. She excels at inspiring teams to build unique and compelling storytelling content. Her work gets noticed, too. In 2020, she was named a finalist for Indy’s Best and Brightest in the media and entertainment division.
Supportive of animal rescue agencies, Ali also has served in the Junior League of Indianapolis for nearly a decade.
As a Purdue student, Ali performed and soloed with the Purduettes, learning to value the saying “Leave it better than you found it.”
Shelby Barrett
Lead Brand Manager
Shelby Barrett
Lead Brand Manager
Using a strategic lens to advance Purdue’s brand with prospective students is a passion for Shelby. So is empowering her team to introduce innovative ideas and rise above a project’s complexities or deadlines. And she makes sure praise follows such efforts.
This all befits a Boilermaker grad like Shelby — she majored in public relations and rhetorical advocacy.
She would love to backpack through Europe’s wine country, but a back porch, cup of coffee and loyal pup are pretty satisfying, too.
Shelby believes that every day presents a new opportunity for the taking. And that everything tastes better with hot sauce.
Lauren Beck
Social Media Associate
Lauren Beck
Social Media Associate
Purdue is an important part of Lauren’s identity — right alongside curiosity and content creation. She’s been sharing videos with the University community for years, first joining our team as a Social Media Intern. Her fresh ideas and energized perspective help her engage with all audiences.
A knack for cultivating connections came at an early age, when Lauren began making YouTube videos at just 9 years old. Her media experience led to creating content and strengthening her network of friends online. She enjoys starting conversations with new people and encouraging others to be the best version of themselves.
Lauren’s uplifting outlook is always an inspiration. She can do anything she sets her mind to, including spinning a plate on a stick while rollerblading. Yes, really.
Amy Bouman
Social Media Manager, Purdue Global
Amy Bouman
Social Media Manager, Purdue Global
Level-headed and forward-focused, Amy shares engaging stories with audiences and ensures that Boilermakers’ successes are highlighted across platforms. Her ability to stay even-keeled has helped her excel — she loves the constant evolution of the digital world and enjoys growing and learning with the ever-changing landscape.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Amy played soccer in college and earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training. After securing a master’s in higher education, she pursued a career helping universities navigate social media, build brands and create web content.
Amy spends weekends going to games and seeing her two kids at their practices, along with supporting her husband in his role as a collegiate softball coach. She also enjoys taking on DIY projects around her home and creating a space for her family to relax.
Carly Eastman
Brand Content Specialist
Carly Eastman
Brand Content Specialist
Creating relationships, coordinating timelines, communicating goals — Carly does it all with a smile. Her beaming enthusiasm and dedication to detail shine in every endeavor, from helping share Purdue’s stories to revitalizing her community. In any project, her optimism motivates people to match her effort and energy.
Carly has always had a connection to Purdue, growing up near West Lafayette and earning two degrees — a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership and a Master of Science in communication.
The best part of Carly’s day is getting to build relationships with those around her working toward big goals. When she’s not collaborating with teams or volunteering with community organizations, she loves traveling with her family and friends.
Stephanie Fleck
Lead Media Strategist
Stephanie Fleck
Lead Media Strategist
The full-circle moment Stephanie is forever thankful for: finding a role at Purdue that lets her contribute toward a brand she believes in and engages her career experiences. She was drawn to campus because of the sense of community and earned her bachelor’s degree at Purdue in selling and sales management. After graduating, she dove into fast-paced marketing agency life, creating and executing media strategies for accounts in Chicago.
Adaptable and collaborative, Stephanie learned lessons about staying flexible and incorporating feedback during her time at agencies. Now, she brings that work ethic to her projects at Purdue. As the lead media strategist, she communicates with the brand strategy team to identify how to best connect with audiences through paid media.
Stephanie lives in Chicago’s northern suburbs with her husband and their terrier-Chihuahua mix. They love to utilize everything the area has to offer, from great brunch spots to friendly dog parks. An expert on all things millennial culture, you can go to her with any questions about Bravo TV shows or 90s pop music.
Kolby Hagmaier
Social Media Specialist
Kolby Hagmaier
Social Media Specialist
A talent for targeting the heart of the story helps Kolby curate, create and promote the Purdue brand for the world to see across all social media platforms.
Kolby has a bachelor of arts in strategic communication and advertising with a minor in global studies from Purdue. Her passion for international travel led to two study-abroad experiences as an undergrad: once to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and later to study fashion in Japan.
She loves animals, especially her cats that are black and gold, of course. She also enjoys playing the video game Animal Crossing and watching scary movies.
Melissa Hammond
Brand Identity Manager
Melissa Hammond
Brand Identity Manager
Efficiency is Melissa’s middle name. It shows in the results of when — as a born doer — she jumps in, sizes up the task, solves problems and finds a way.
After other Purdue roles, she helped Purdue’s 150 Years of Giant Leaps campaign soar. Now, as steward of the Purdue brand, she ensures its integrity as used across campus and with external partners.
At home, she’s a whiz in the kitchen, where she cooks up feasts for family and friends. Besides of course trying new recipes, she is gravitating toward Asian and sushi. She also supports the community food bank.
Megan Hoskins
Senior Marketing Strategist
Megan Hoskins
Senior Marketing Strategist
Though she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, Megan always knew she belonged at Purdue. A graduate of the Brian Lamb School of Communication, she tried Chicago but her heart chose West Lafayette.
Her passion for brand affinity and an outgoing personality are well-suited to her role and approach — strategic, collaborative and positive. Her team knows it can and knows why.
A coffee fiend, Megan whips up barista-worthy drinks with her fancy home machine. She’s also a whiz with a needle and thread, making gifts for friends and family and sewing blankets for children in the foster system.
Bailey Leffler
Lead Brand Manager
Bailey Leffler
Lead Brand Manager
With a strong competitive drive and enthusiastic spirit — she was an NFL cheerleader, after all — Bailey believes a bit of hard work means a spot on the leaderboard.
Her collaborative launch of the brand-focused Boiler Ambassador program has drawn hundreds of student volunteers. She also supports marketers and communicators across campus as the engine behind the Purdue Communicators Council.
Once a Purdue Golduster dancer as a student, Bailey now choreographs for that team. She’s also a Level 2 CrossFit Coach who converted her garage into a fully outfitted home gym. And there’s Olympic lifting — she can squat clean 215 pounds.
Hanna Mortazavi
Senior Data Analyst
Hanna Mortazavi
Senior Data Analyst
With her feet in the sand of Los Angeles’ beaches and her heart at Purdue, Hanna loves that she found a way to be in two of her favorite places at once. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Purdue but having been born in LA and visiting throughout her life, she always knew that’s where she’d live one day. Now, she works for Purdue from her home in LA.
She comes into her role as a senior data analyst with a well-rounded analytics background. After more than five years of analyzing marketing performance, creating stories with data and improving team efficiencies by quickly becoming a platforms expert, Hanna has made the work she does into a mashup of her passions.
After work and on the weekends, you can find her walking her dog at Manhattan Beach with her boyfriend or dreaming about sipping coffee in the new breakfast area they’re building together.
Lauren Motuliak
Senior Marketing Strategist
Lauren Motuliak
Senior Marketing Strategist
Work hard, play hard. That’s Lauren, a graduate of the Brian Lamb School of Communication who navigates a wide range of projects. Her interpersonal skills naturally build rapport with campus partners and colleagues alike, empowering them to excel in presenting the brand and all it represents.
Her knack for connecting with others and drive for personal improvement have influenced the community, too. Lauren founded the Tippy Connect Young Professionals group, and she’s a certified Les Mills Body Attack instructor.
After her morning workout, Lauren likes to head outdoors with her family and rescue dog, often to her kids’ sporting events.
Lindsay Porter
Associate Brand Specialist
Lindsay Porter
Associate Brand Specialist
Lindsay Porter believes that her creativity is best used to lift up others. It’s why she spends much of her free time focused on youth ministry and singing and performing with her musically talented extended family.
As a Purdue graduate of public relations and strategic communications in 2021, she hopes that she can continue to inspire current and prospective Purdue and Purdue Polytechnic High Schools students in her brand role, pulling from her own experiences at Purdue and at an Indianapolis charter high school. In her free time, she makes custom wigs for her clients.
Ashlee Shroyer
Lead Digital Community Manager
Ashlee Shroyer
Lead Digital Community Manager
As the one who holds the key to the University’s social content calendar, Ashlee’s strategy-first mentality ensures the right message is posted on the right channel and geared toward the right audience. She’s energized by the impact of social in spreading the good news about Purdue, particularly when prominent Boilermakers amplify content she’s shared.
When she wants to unplug, Ashlee strolls to a downtown coffee shop for an iced latte and then pauses outside the Lazy Cat Lounge to observe feline antics through the window. She’s an avid concertgoer — country music is her favorite. She also appreciates rising acts before they make it big.
Rielle Trent
Associate Brand Specialist
Rielle Trent
Associate Brand Specialist
Rielle Trent is happiest when she is lounging in a hammock, Kindle in hand. Ever a bookworm, her alma mater, Purdue, reminds her of “Hogwarts” from the “Harry Potter” franchise. After one year post-graduation at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, Rielle returned to the magic of Purdue, now working full time as an associate brand specialist. In her role, she assists with the Boiler Ambassador program and the Purdue Communicator’s Council, using her keen eye for detail and organization skills to help those around her succeed.
Kierstin Vorst
Social Media Associate
Kierstin Vorst
Social Media Associate
Coming from a long line of Purdue fans, Kierstin Vorst feels lucky whenever she has a chance to support the Purdue brand. It’s why she jumped at the opportunity to take photos for Purdue Athletics during her freshman year at Purdue. After graduating in 2022, she’s still capturing action shots of the Boilermakers and is now also working on expanding Purdue’s YouTube presence. Pulling from experiences working with Sport Clips and the Lafayette World Series, she is focused on growing Purdue’s YouTube follower base and discovering ways to optimize the platform.
Kierstin is also an ’80s music trivia master, even though she was born well after the decade ended. This is all thanks to her mom and dad, who were Purdue DJs during the ’80s. On warm days you can find her jamming out to AC/DC and other classics at the lake with her two dalmatians.
Teresa Walker
Lead Brand Manager
Teresa Walker
Lead Brand Manager
Storytelling has been a talent of Teresa’s throughout her life. Naturally inquisitive, she leverages her curiosity with a committed work ethic that she applies to every task. On projects, she actively steps up and digs in, from managing timelines to reaching out to new leads.
Informed by insight and driven by data, Teresa is also a strategy expert. For over 13 years, she was a communications specialist in Purdue’s College of Engineering, connecting with students, faculty and staff to share the university’s stories. Her innate ability to make everyone feel seen has created relationships with inspirational Boilermakers around the world.
In her free time, Teresa loves to be with her family, watching favorite shows or playing board games and cards (euchre, anyone?). Forever finding opportunities to learn, she’s recently picked up golf and loves to be on the course whenever weather allows.
Maria Welch
Social Media Specialist
Maria Welch
Social Media Specialist
Many claim to be from big Boilermaker families, but few can mean it quite as literally as Maria Welch. She is the youngest of 56 grandchildren on her maternal grandparents’ side, many of whom attended Purdue — including her three older siblings.
After graduating from the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Maria moved to California, where she worked for brands like Chevron, Clif Bar & Company and Microsoft. Along the way, she’s learned that perspective, compassion and a little humor go a long way in helping navigate stressful circumstances.
Today, Maria is happily reacclimated to Midwestern life. Outside work, you can find her on a run, in the garden, spending time with her cats or doing home repairs on a 100-year-old Craftsman home that she shares with her partner.
Kate Young
Lead Podcast Manager and Host of “This Is Purdue” Podcast
Kate Young
Lead Podcast Manager and Host of “This Is Purdue” Podcast
When she was a student in Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication, Kate envisioned a career in broadcasting. She spent a few years as news reporter before she fell in love with podcasting. Her optimism, enthusiasm and natural curiosity pervades every part of “This is Purdue,” the official University podcast she writes, hosts and produces.
Kate listens to podcasts whenever she can while running, cooking, driving or even folding laundry. Her favorites dive into investigative journalism and tease out detailed narratives over an entire season.
She balances her serious side with a penchant for soapy reality TV. Kate would dominate a Bachelor/Bachelorette-themed trivia night.
Creative Services
Brad Beutler
Director, Creative Services, Digital
Brad Beutler
Director, Creative Services, Digital
Brad Beutler is a big believer in the idea that the harder you work, the luckier you get. It’s a core value he and his family live by, and it also guides the way he works. A long-standing Purdue fan and 2012 graduate of the Krannert School of Management, Brad loves to advocate for his team, letting the world know about the great work happening at the university, especially in the digital space.
Pulling from years of experience in tech companies and startups, he is an expert at keeping optimistic and calm in moments of chaos. On top of being a proud Boilermaker, he’s also a Purdue basketball history buff.
Emily Richwine
Senior Director, Creative Services
Emily Richwine
Senior Director, Creative Services
With Lois Lane as her muse since childhood, Emily Richwine completed her degree at Purdue in Communication with a concentration in Journalism. Although she can’t mark the Daily Planet down on her resumé, she brings experience from an array of publications and brands like Lafayette’s own Journal & Courier, Minority Business Entrepreneur magazine, Matilda Jane and Vera Bradley. Ever an optimist, her skills in copywriting, creative concepting, video storytelling and campaign planning inspire her team to connect the dots between strategy and emotive storytelling. In her free time, she enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, spending time with her family and traveling.
Olivia Sarault
Director, Design
Olivia Sarault
Director, Design
As a designer, Olivia is detail-oriented to a T. As a leader, she is passionate about mentoring new designers and watching them grow in their careers. In addition to leading a team of multimedia designers and photographers, she also oversees creative direction for all print and digital projects.
A proud boy mom with two sons, she spends a lot of her time near the water. She and her husband volunteered to run the north division of the Indiana Bass Federation Youth Program.
She’s a Purdue graduate with a degree in visual communication design.
Tammy Weaver-Stoike
Director, Marketing Operations
Tammy Weaver-Stoike
Director, Marketing Operations
As a farm kid, Tammy didn’t enjoy the opportunity to experience her undergrad years at Purdue like most students because she often had to head home on weekends to help on the farm.
How much of a farm girl was she? She was crowned Indiana Angus Queen in 1981. But her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communication prepared her for a career in marketing and communication, starting in the department as a writer in 1999.
Tammy enjoys bringing order to chaos, which dovetails into her role leading the team that manages operations and ensures creative projects are delivered on time and on budget.
David Allen
Lead IT Program Manager
David Allen
Lead IT Program Manager
The man behind the marketing machine, David provides resources and support for the team’s work management system. His keen organization skills help streamline processes and increase efficiencies across the division.
Driven by a strong desire to learn new skills, David’s career has morphed several times since he joined Purdue’s staff 30 years ago.
He spends evenings creating artwork (he holds a bachelor’s in fine art and design and a master’s in fine art and animation, both from Purdue). Several of his pieces were selected for the 2005 International Digital Art Awards traveling exhibition. Additionally, he has shown work in several exhibitions within the U.S.
Julie Beckwith
Content Writer
Julie Beckwith
Content Writer
It takes all of two seconds to create an instant connection with Julie. An engaging conversationalist and expert writer, she combines her talents to get to know people and help them share their stories. The discovery part of the process is just as enjoyable as crafting the content – from ideating with photographers to collaborating alongside designers, she enjoys working with other creatives to polish the perfect piece.
Julie’s innate ability to quickly befriend others has been demonstrated throughout her career and across the country. Born in Alaska and raised in Oregon, she earned a political science degree at Willamette before attending graduate school at Yale. From there, she’s lived in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Alabama and now Indiana again, sharpening her storytelling skills within roles as a marketer and college counselor.
If you ever need a recommendation on which national park to visit, Julie should be your go-to source. She loves to travel with her family and unwind in wide-open spaces. When they’re not hiking, the Beckwiths always enjoy sitting down for dinner together and discussing what piqued their interest that day.
Thad Boone
Multimedia Producer
Thad Boone
Multimedia Producer
With a keen eye for cinematography and a passion for storytelling, Thad’s visual artistry elevates every project he touches.
He flexed his leadership skills as founding father of the Alpha Psi chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Butler University and also edited two short films while in college.
A thrill-seeker, he’s gone skydiving and been on an African safari. At one point, he could use a salmon ladder (think “American Ninja Warrior”) but now prefers to relax in front of the big screen, catching the latest movie releases, or spend a weekend afternoon idly browsing through a used bookstore.
Paige Brown
Marketing Copywriter
Paige Brown
Marketing Copywriter
A dedicated and eager scholar, Paige is an eternal student who loves to learn. In addition to mapping out her next move in academia (she’s planning on grad school at Purdue) she’s also teaching herself to play the ukulele.
She’s a hybrid creative who studied communications and graphic design, which enables her to cohesively approach a project when shaping its copy.
On a typical weekend morning, Paige is kicking back with a book, Diet Coke in hand. Her personal reading tastes skew toward horror and true crime, so she’s always up for swapping chilling tales.
Alli Chaney
Multimedia Producer
Alli Chaney
Multimedia Producer
Alli Chaney’s passion to help share others’ stories drew her to join Purdue Marketing and Communications as a multimedia producer. But it’s so much more than a job — it’s part of a deeper calling to empower others and elevate their experiences for a broader audience through video.
Alli embraces every opportunity to infuse the world around her with a little magic. When she isn’t holding a camera, you might find her dressed for children’s character performances, making costumes and props or in far-off worlds alongside friends on a Dungeons & Dragons quest. And when she needs to recharge, you’ll find her turning to a favorite film or playing video games with her younger brother.
David Ching
Senior Content Writer
David Ching
Senior Content Writer
After attending a journalism workshop at summer camp, David started a school paper in fourth grade. At the time, he covered school skits and kickball games but he eventually fulfilled his dream as a professional sportswriter covering college sports for ESPN. Now, he leverages his storytelling skills to share compelling narratives from across campus.
Some have tried to convert him — and he did earn an MBA from Purdue University Global — but he remains a staunch Auburn fan. As a kid, he fantasized about playing centerfield for the Atlanta Braves and he still follows their season.
Emily Disinger
Graphic Designer
Emily Disinger
Graphic Designer
Emily started out as an intern at Purdue Marketing and Communications while she earned her bachelor’s in visual communication design and minored in dance and philosophy. As a student, she was active in the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company and Purdue Grand Prix.
She learned about the graphic design career path as a high school freshman and instinctively knew that was what she was meant to do. Now she executes creative work that perpetuates the University brand and advances the Purdue story.
Her idea of a relaxing weekend is spending time with her family and pets at their country home.
Caitlyn Freville
Graphic Designer
Caitlyn Freville
Graphic Designer
As a Boiler Ambassador design team member, Caitlyn began working with the Purdue brand as an undergrad majoring in visual communication design. Her collaborative skills and tendency to serve as a group harmonizer enable Caitlyn to artfully encompass a variety of perspectives without losing sight of the end goal.
She’s performed in choirs and musicals since she was young — her favorite role was playing Ariel in a production of “The Little Mermaid” — and was a member of the Purduettes.
An advocate for mental health awareness, Caitlyn fundraises for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s campus walk.
Jon Garcia
Lead Multimedia Producer
Jon Garcia
Lead Multimedia Producer
As a teenager, Jon found his dad’s old 35-mm film camera and quickly developed a love of photography. He has been telling visual stories ever since. Once he was old enough to drive, Jon started his own business as a wedding photographer. He continued to shoot still images as a student photographer at Indiana State University, where he majored in English and minored in communications and creative writing. ISU hired Jon as a staff photographer after graduation, and his role quickly evolved to include videography. Now he’s a pro at both, and he puts those multimedia skills to use while telling the stories of Purdue. When he’s not shooting and editing videos, Jon loves playing video games. He even has a podcast where he talks gaming, technology and sometimes movies. And he still shoots the occasional wedding, using his creative eye to capture images the participants might otherwise miss while he documents their big day.
Cheryl Glotzbach
Senior Graphic Designer
Cheryl Glotzbach
Senior Graphic Designer
A passion for art and drawing led Cheryl to major in visual communication design at Purdue. As senior graphic designer, she collaborates with the creative team to strategically solve marketing challenges and elevate the Purdue brand through print, digital marketing and social media.
Her approach of examining every project through creative and logical lenses allows her to analyze how the target audience might interpret the message.
Cheryl engages her creativity off the clock, too, taking arts and crafts classes and completing her own artistic projects at home. She’s also a fitness enthusiast who loves Zumba and other forms of dancing.
Lima Gray
Project Manager
Lima Gray
Project Manager
Armed with her Agile Project Management certification, Lima’s detailed approach to managing workflow keeps projects on task, in brand and within budget. Lima is a Purdue graduate who majored in communication with a concentration in advertising.
Her knowledge and expertise create an environment in which the team can deliver high-impact projects while engaging in professional growth.
Lima’s sharp-witted observations keep everyone on their toes. She’s a “Shark Week” aficionado, a hot tea connoisseur and a Clue enthusiast.
She loves immersing herself in a book and also cultivates a garden where she plants the birth-month flower for everyone in her family.
Rain Gu
Senior Digital Project Manager
Rain Gu
Senior Digital Project Manager
Endlessly adaptable, Rain’s go-with-the-flow personality is well-suited to managing a variety of tasks and scopes of responsibility across different teams and project requirements. She is a gatekeeper, keeping communication channels open and encouraging interaction between all members of the digital marketing group.
Rain’s strong work ethic enables the delivery of high-volume and high-visibility projects. She also develops production schedules for creative and technical projects and collaborates with the technical teams to navigate around any roadblocks.
She enjoys drawing, mostly with colored pencil, and writing in Chinese. An early riser, she relishes the half-hour in the morning before the rest of the household awakens.
Jonathan Hord
Senior Multimedia Producer
Jonathan Hord
Senior Multimedia Producer
For Jonathan Hord, authenticity is paramount in his work and throughout his life. As a senior multimedia producer, he’s energized by the genuine enthusiasm he captures on video. According to Jonathan, passionate people give him even more of a reason to get their story right.
A natural creative, Jonathan is always looking for the next project or hobby he can delve into. In addition to his passion for video, he spends his free time painting miniatures and acting as dungeon master for a five-year-long Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
Emily Jesulaitis
Senior Project Manager
Emily Jesulaitis
Senior Project Manager
As the master of tasks for her team’s projects, Emily helps transform ideas and concepts into final deliverables. Encouraging, organized and patient, her efficiency aids her proficient management of timelines, budgets and resources.
Emily earned a bachelor’s in financial counseling and planning from Purdue. She facilitates communications between contributors and stakeholders.
No one questions whether Emily will follow through with what she says she’s going to do. She’s motivated by checking things off the list.
Handy with power tools, Emily always has a home DIY project in the works. She relishes time spent with family (preferably outside) and enjoys travel, cooking and reading.
Sabrina Hamblin
Marketing Production Associate
Sabrina Hamblin
Marketing Production Associate
Sabrina is the glue that holds the department together. There’s hardly a project that she doesn’t touch. From setting up job folders to issuing invoices to closing out projects, she’s a supportive force throughout the project cycle.
With decades of print experience, Sabrina still gets excited to hold a final printed piece in her hands.
Admired for her supreme crafting skills, family and friends often draft Sabrina to help with event planning for weddings and baby showers.
She and her husband have become permanent campers, spending most summer weekends at Broadview Acres Campground and have built a community with their fellow campers.
Matt Kerkhoff
Digital Media Producer
Matt Kerkhoff
Digital Media Producer
Matt’s experience producing content for Purdue goes back to his student days as a film studies and telecommunications major. He worked for the campus television station, Boiler TV, when it first launched in the late 1990s. As a senior, he created BTV’s first student-produced show.
Now, he shoots and edits videos that share the stories of Purdue’s students, faculty and alumni.
A huge movie buff, he’s always up for chatting about plotlines, character development and iconic scripts. At work, Matt is quiet and reserved, which is why people are often surprised to learn he’s performed improv comedy for 20 years.
Maura Klopfenstein
Content Writer
Maura Klopfenstein
Content Writer
As a writer who consistently works to be a more effective ally to marginalized groups, Maura is passionate about creating inclusive messaging that resonates with a diverse audience.
The positivity she brings to her work and talent for writing in a conversational tone make her an indispensable resource for campus departments desiring to tell their unique stories with authenticity.
By age 5, Maura knew she wanted to be a storyteller. A mom to three kids, she’s probably the proudest mom on the planet — when they’re not rolling their eyes or cracking bathroom jokes.
Maura also loves spending time outside and watching the wildlife.
Kelsey Koenigbauer
Project Manager
Kelsey Koenigbauer
Project Manager
Kelsey Koenigbauer attributes much of her talent for multitasking to her time working as a waitress, a skill that has been invaluable throughout her career. With a background working in account services for marketing and communications agencies, she thrives in a fast-paced environment with many moving parts. In her work at Purdue, she harnesses these skills to advocate for her team, supporting others and keeping them on track so that they can be the best versions of themselves.
For Kelsey, authenticity is extremely important — she wholeheartedly believes in being true to yourself, no matter who is watching. One day she hopes to be able to buy a boat and spend her days on the water with her dog and her husband. When she’s not dreaming about afternoons on the lake, she’s working on her knitting skills — she recently finished her first two handmade sweaters.
Ava Kuhn
Content Writer
Ava Kuhn
Content Writer
Curiosity drives almost all aspects of Ava Kuhn’s life. With a double major in art history and journalism from Indiana University, she loves falling down research rabbit holes. Her drive to learn new things and connect with people drew her to her role as a content writer at Purdue Marketing and Communications.
Growing up, Ava found a model for hard work in her parents, who own a small business. From their tireless example, Ava discovered that she wanted to find a career that she could put her whole heart into. Now able to marry her love for research and creative communication, Ava shares Boilermaker stories that inspire and uplift people from all walks of life.
When she’s not busy learning all there is to know about her newest research fixation, Ava is most likely to be found exploring nature with a book in her hand or a podcast in her ears.
Kelsey Lefever
Senior Photographer
Kelsey Lefever
Senior Photographer
Kelsey Lefever is no stranger to the Purdue community. After graduating with a double major in professional and creative writing, she returned to Purdue for a master’s degree in creative writing — and even spent four years as a writing intern with the Purdue News service. When she started searching for a wedding photographer, however, she grew curious about how she might bring a visual approach to her storytelling.
Today, as a senior photographer for Purdue Marketing and Communications, Lefever brings a high degree of attention to her work. With the help of her camera, she seeks to celebrate and uplift the unique human experiences embodied in her subjects’ stories.
When she isn’t working, you will probably find her outdoors. She lives by the saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.” One of her proudest achievements is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and — rain or shine — you might just catch her training for her next hike.
Joel Romero-Meredith
Marketing Copywriter
Joel Romero-Meredith
Marketing Copywriter
Joel discovered the magic of writing at a young age. After watching “Star Wars” in theaters for the first time, he was taken with the power of the pen to create new worlds — and shape our own. Pretty soon, he was mapping worlds of his own, filling notebooks with stories and sketches.
In the years since, he has built a career on writing, including leading a team of in-house writers at a Fortune-listed health care company. All his time as a writer has only further convinced him of the importance of the written word and its ability to help reader and writer alike explore new ideas and build understanding. In his free time, Joel is pursuing an English PhD in Arthurian literature, learning Spanish and Welsh, and spending time with his cat and husband.
Zach Mogensen
Multimedia Producer
Zach Mogensen
Multimedia Producer
Even though being on-set for a video shoot can be a stressful experience, Zach Mogensen has discovered that a positive and supportive team can make all the difference. After a handful of years running a freelance video production company with a friend, Zach is excited to focus on telling Purdue’s best stories through video, alongside Purdue’s premier storytellers.
A self-described “jack of all trades,” Zach appreciates the “multi” aspect of his “multimedia producer” role, using a wide range of skills and interests across his field to make the Purdue brand shine. He also enjoys playing and listening to music — in his free time, you can find him jamming out on the bass guitar with his band.
Christi Perry
Senior Marketing Production Manager
Christi Perry
Senior Marketing Production Manager
With natural problem-solving abilities and unbridled optimism, Christi’s positive attitude and forward thinking propels projects from ideation through execution.
Growing up, Christi dreamt of becoming an astronaut or an Avon lady. She likes to explore new places and managed aerospace programs for the likes of Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter and Boeing. Christi has decades of experience in sales and marketing and desire to connect with people.
A childhood spent on the family farm stoked her lifelong passion for agricultural and historical preservation. As a board member of the Indiana Barn Foundation, Christi works to preserve Indiana’s heritage barns.
Jana Plyley
Senior Graphic Designer
Jana Plyley
Senior Graphic Designer
As a creative, one of Jana Plyley’s sources of inspiration is a bit unusual: her dad’s candy factory. Growing up, she witnessed the passion, energy and ingenuity it required — and the resulting magic and happiness from a job well done. Today, she brings that results-driven approach to her work. The excitement she hopes to inspire with her design work propels her to make others’ visions a reality.
When she’s not working, you might find Jana spending time with friends, walking with her dog or hitting the gym — but only if you’re willing to get up early enough. She’s there most every day at 4:30 in the morning before she starts the rest of her day.
Kristy Reese
Senior Project Manager
Kristy Reese
Senior Project Manager
Top-notch organizational skills are essential in a project manager role, and no one is more organized than Kristy. She keeps projects on time and within budget while documenting metrics that can improve team efficiency.
Endlessly energetic, Kristy has always had trouble sitting still. Whether cleaning the house, doing yardwork, reading a book or going on a walk, she feels happiest when she has accomplished something.
Losing both parents to cancer turned Kristy into an advocate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She’s participated in several events, such as Light The Night and Team In Training, raising more than $20,000 for the organization.
Sophie Ritz
Associate Content Writer
Sophie Ritz
Associate Content Writer
A compassionate and enthusiastic storyteller, Sophie deeply values intelligent, efficient communication in any group. A Boilermaker at heart — she earned her BA at Purdue in 2023 with highest distinction — she decided to stay close to share stories about the Purdue community she loves.
She’s so passionate about communication, in fact, that she does it in two languages. She’s fluent in French, and began learning the language in third grade and minoring in it at Purdue. But, she says, in her free time, she’s happiest watching movies, hanging out with friends and family, and traveling. Among her favorite trips she’s taken are Chicago (to see The Cure in concert) and study abroad opportunities in Thailand and London.
Now her home is in West Lafayette, and her favorite thing to do on Saturday mornings is enjoying a breakfast special at one of Purdue’s classic hot spots.
Rebecca Robiños
Senior Photographer
Rebecca Robiños
Senior Photographer
Rebecca interned with the photo team while earning her Bachelor of Arts in photography from Purdue. Her internship experience confirmed her passion for the medium and launched her photo career. She became a full-time team member after graduation.
An ardent collaborator, Rebecca enjoys conceptualizing shoots with other team members to deliver evocative images.
In addition to the portraiture and event photography she captures for the University, she’s also a fine art photographer. Her other creative pursuits include painting and crocheting scarves and blankets.
Always endeavoring to advance her skills, Rebecca looks for ways to challenge herself and experiment behind the lens.
Ted Schellenberger
Broadcast Media Senior Producer
Ted Schellenberger
Broadcast Media Senior Producer
Ted would say he’s a gaffer, grip and clamp aficionado. That’s just another way of describing his unfaltering energy and resolute dedication to doing whatever needs doing to get the job done.
If there’s an important event happening on campus, Ted will be there to cover it.
His childhood dream was to become a drummer in a rock band. Although that didn’t happen, he does play guitar and owns entirely too much music gear, including 15 guitars, 10 amps and more than 100 effects pedals.
A vegan and animal lover, Ted’s cats are the absolute best.
Greg Simmons
Lead Graphic Designer
Greg Simmons
Lead Graphic Designer
Known in the office as the “fixer,” Greg is the workhorse of the design team, willingly taking on yearly churn projects such as updating the campus map or formatting awards certificates. But don’t think that means he settles for the status quo.
Results-driven by nature, Greg always pushes for the strongest design, writing and strategy, and he’s not afraid to ask tough questions to galvanize the team.
Deeply entrenched in the local arts community — he volunteers at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette and the Lafayette Ballet Company — Greg frequently attends art and music events. He’s also an avid tabletop gamer.
Julie Sadler
Senior Graphic Designer
Julie Sadler
Senior Graphic Designer
Creative and diligent with a keen eye for details, Julie has an uncanny ability to turn straw into (Purdue) gold when it comes to transforming a design. Proficient in both digital and print, she flexes her artistry across mediums and communication channels.
She and her husband live on a golf course where they can be found battling to collect the most birdies every weeknight. A consummate designer, she dabbles in house decor and is a voracious viewer of HGTV. She even designed her own labels for uniform glass containers that hold household cleaners, spices, baking ingredients and other pantry items.
Nate Saloh
Website Content Manager
Nate Saloh
Website Content Manager
With 10 years of experience in website creation in a university setting, Nate Saloh is acutely tuned in to what makes website visitors tick. In his role at Purdue, he advocates for a better user experience, championing accessibility, unity and optimization across all pages. He believes that design is instrumental to achieving functionality — without strategically planned design, any web experience would be less–than ideal.
Describing himself as a quiet individual, he is thoughtful and detail-oriented, both at work and at home. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, working on projects throughout the house and listening to music from all genres.
Chelsea Schwab
Project Manager
Chelsea Schwab
Project Manager
Outgoing, optimistic and self-described as “overinvolved,” Chelsea found her love for collegiate projects as an undergraduate (while also working as a resident assistant, student activities lead and tour guide, of course). After discovering that she could turn her passion for her college campus into a career, she earned her master’s degree in student affairs administration in higher education. At Purdue, she served as a program advisor and assistant director of student activities and organizations before stepping into her current role.
As a project manager, Chelsea is the conduit for how Marketing and Communications creates the stories and experiences that enrich Purdue’s culture. Through overseeing timelines, utilizing resources and encouraging collaboration, she ensures that the team accomplishes its goals. Always resilient and habitually happy, she strives to create a community where everyone feels valued.
Chelsea doesn’t just juggle a lot on the job — she finds fun in a never-ending array of activities. An avid reader, crafter, homebrewer and half-marathon runner, she enjoys diving into her interests and learning something new. She loves being around her husband and daughter; the family adventures with their camper all summer.
John Underwood
Photographer
John Underwood
Photographer
Trained in the U.S. Navy School of Photography, John has held many creative leadership positions during his storied Purdue career. A keen observer with an artistic eye for composition, he enjoys how the creative process unfolds and aims to capture images that support the concept.
John was part of the first Big Ten university photo team to transition entirely to digital. He continues to find innovative ways to support the University’s visual brand.
When he’s not shooting, John likes to take rides on his Harley. He enjoys traveling and would love to drive the Italian countryside in a sports car one day.
Mike Willis
Marketing Technology Process Manager
Mike Willis
Marketing Technology Process Manager
A desire for discovery and knowledge led to a minor in biology, but Mike turned to a newer path and in the mid-‘90s began his Purdue career as the news service’s web and technology manager.
In his current role, he serves as a crucial link between marketing and IT, implementing new technologies to achieve marketing goals. His vast institutional knowledge casts him as the de facto archivist for the department.
As a reasonably skilled photographer, Mike would love to hit the road and take up travel photography. He also attends pop culture conventions in costume.
Dalani Young
Photo and Video Project Coordinator
Dalani Young
Photo and Video Project Coordinator
Growing up, Dalani’s enthusiasm for photography was a pastime she could enjoy with her sister and friends in 4-H and yearbook class – she didn’t know how it would help forge her path. While earning her bachelor’s degree at Purdue, she saw opportunities to turn her passion into a career that she could happily pursue.
As a Boilermaker, Dalani’s talent and hard work led to several photography positions, contributing to campus organizations such as The Exponent and Purdue Athletics. After graduation, she gained work experience with coordinating, communicating and brand building, perfectly propelling her into her current role as the photo and video project coordinator for Purdue Marketing and Communications.
With an energetic spirit and an eye for detail, Dalani plans, problem solves and manages logistics for the team’s photo and video shoots. On the weekend, she loves to recharge and rest up with a little TV time and the best breakfast (Pancakes? Yes, please). You’ll likely find her two Australian shepherds nearby.
Yanhua Zong
Senior Web Developer
Yanhua Zong
Senior Web Developer
A strong problem solver and team player, Yanhua builds out Purdue’s web presence, often creating the first impression for incoming students. She also creates brand templates and tools in content management systems to enable campus partners.
Her coding prowess coupled with her affinity for impactful design — she earned a master’s degree in computer graphics technology from Purdue — spurs her to achieve results that balance both form and function.
Yanhua also enjoys reading, watching movies and playing with her kids. She also logs time in the kitchen whipping up meals for her family. But she has no taste for procrastination.
Marketing Insights & Analytics
Chris June
Manager of Marketing Analytics
Chris June
Manager of Marketing Analytics
A true team player with an innovative approach to problem-solving, Chris adeptly identifies patterns and develops systems to increase workflow efficiency and accuracy. A linchpin for the department, he acts as gatekeeper, taskmaster and harmonizer, often simultaneously. And he takes “all other duties as assigned” to the next level.
As media analyst for the news team, he’s charged with tracking Purdue’s media coverage across various channels and compiling the data to ensure efforts align with objectives.
A lifelong musician, Chris is one half of the power duo behind June IND, an independent rootsy rock band based in Lafayette.
Strategic Communications
Kayla Albert
Senior Science Writer/Communication Specialist
Kayla Albert
Senior Science Writer/Communication Specialist
Growing up, Kayla thought she’d become a novelist. Now, she writes news stories for a living and reads a lot of fiction on the side.
As senior science writer, Kayla’s charged with conveying research discoveries and inventions in science and engineering. As communications specialist, she serves as a liaison for reporters around the globe, connecting them with engineering experts who can comment on major events and trends, ranging from natural disasters and disease to autonomous vehicles and space missions.
Kayla enjoys order and is really bothered by pictures that hang askew. One of her favorite thrills is checking something off her to-do list.
Tim Doty
Senior Director, Media and Public Relations
Tim Doty
Senior Director, Media and Public Relations
After 23 years in TV news, Tim has a sound perspective on delivering information to the media clearly and concisely. He acts as both filter and funnel for the team — filtering information and funneling the salient points into digestible bits.
His childhood ambition was to become a racecar driver, and with the flow of information moving a mile a minute, his ability to multitask and remain calm under pressure provides stability for the team.
When he’s not serving as the university’s spokesperson, Tim attends his kids’ sporting events. He’s a member of the Screen Actors Guild and also holds a second-degree black belt in karate.
Valerie O’Brien
Director of Internal Communications
Valerie O’Brien
Director of Internal Communications
As the point person for Purdue Today, Valerie keeps a pulse on campus happenings and leads the team that informs faculty and staff of employment-related news. She stewards communications that build affinity, community, morale and investment in the university among Purdue employees. She’s a Purdue graduate herself with a bachelor’s in professional writing.
A music lover, Valerie likes to curate her own playlists for whatever she’s doing — working, walking, cooking or holding a dance party with her kids. She also enjoys travel and dreams of taking a long summer road trip out west with her family to camp, hike and visit national parks.
Amy Patterson Neubert
Director of External Communications
Amy Patterson Neubert
Director of External Communications
A focus on strategic media relations and developing purposeful content empowers Amy to help others — specifically earned media — tell Purdue’s best stories.
A two-time Purdue graduate, Amy earned her bachelor’s in English and her master’s in health communication with a concentration in public relations and social marketing. She uses that PR prowess to train top University faculty on media relations, helping them contextualize the significance of their complex research for a general audience.
Amy is fascinated by the natural beauty found outdoors. She also enjoys gardening, especially vegetables, herbs and Indiana wildflowers.
Her mantra is simple: Work hard, play hard. Life is short.
Micheal Burgess
Media Data Analyst
Micheal Burgess
Media Data Analyst
A tidy and organized person by nature, Micheal Burgess gets immense satisfaction from finding patterns in chaos. As a media data analyst, he finds this skill handy when looking for and compiling data on Purdue’s media placements, unique views and how far into the world our brand has reached.
Micheal is a self-described problem-solver, but he knows when to let go and go with the flow. He often reassures himself and others that “it’ll all come out in the wash.”
He loves road trips with friends but hopes to escape one day to a remote lakeside cabin where he can kick back to enjoy nature and watch college football — he usually cheers for Purdue and Mississippi State.
Larry Farr
Administrative Assistant
Larry Farr
Administrative Assistant
If there is a better, simpler, more efficient way to do something, Larry will find it. As the department’s Sherpa, he consistently focuses on the next step to move forward and accomplish objectives.
An aspiring novelist, Larry writes fiction in his spare time. On the job, he spends a lot of time working with other people’s text, in addition to managing data, calendars and files. Although he’d love to become a full-time author, with his obliging nature, he’d probably still end up assisting people with projects in Excel.
Adaptable, responsible and innovative, Larry is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Phillip Fiorini
Lead Project Editor
Phillip Fiorini
Lead Project Editor
When Phillip joined Purdue in 2005, he brought nearly 25 years of experience as an editor, reporter and manager at newspapers from Texas and Florida to Indiana and Washington, D.C. Now fully immersed in digital marketing, his highly developed insights and instincts enable him to promote the exciting things underway at the university.
A fervent champion of the power of words, Phillip’s role as editor calls on him to help others fine-tune their writing to effectively tell an emotional, powerful story.
Phillip has long supported local music organizations and served on multiple boards, including the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Long Center and Tippecanoe Chamber Music Society.
Kim Held
Clerk
Kim Held
Clerk
Everyone knows that if you are meeting with Kim, she’ll always arrive early. Unfailingly dependable and exceedingly efficient, she’s the secret weapon that helps the news team function like a well-oiled machine. Always willing to help where needed, she’s frequently accepted roles that transcended her job description.
Away from the office, Kim volunteers with her church, impresses with her fancily decorated cakes and rocks her role as grandma.
Her permanently cheery outlook brightens even the dreariest of days. She’s a true believer that “Not every day is good, but there is something good in every day.”
Brian Huchel
Senior Writer/Communication Specialist
Brian Huchel
Senior Writer/Communication Specialist
With his acute observation skills, there’s almost nothing Brian doesn’t notice. After earning his stripes as a newspaper reporter, he transitioned to his current role writing on a variety of topics from space to education.
Unfailingly dependable, Brian is always ready to pitch in whenever anyone on the team needs help. When he was younger, he wanted to be a police officer. Although he doesn’t have a badge, he does stand up for people who are being pushed around.
Brian loves to experiment in the kitchen. He occasionally writes poetry and once took a stab at writing short stories.
Izzy Karpinski
Electronic Communications Specialist
Izzy Karpinski
Electronic Communications Specialist
Good things come from always asking great questions – Izzy Karpinski has learned that staying curious is the key to finding interesting subjects and telling compelling stories. In her role as electronic communications specialist, she can combine her natural creativity and love for organization to help the Strategic Communications team with production, analytics and content.
Izzy’s background in news prepared her for collaborating with many people and recognizing the details that make a final piece great. A love for films merged with strengths in writing led her to major in telecommunications at Purdue. After graduating, she worked for TV stations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis as a producer.
After spending so much time around an array of media, what could possibly pique Izzy’s interest? Answer: anything on the quirky side. She’s a ’90s boy band expert and appreciates a cheesy throwback movie. On the weekends, she loves exploring nearby neighborhoods with her family, finding the best coffee shops, farmers markets and local festivals.
Christy McCarter
Emerging Media Specialist
Christy McCarter
Emerging Media Specialist
With both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in medieval literature and archival studies, plus almost a decade of experience teaching at a college level, Christy McCarter provides a fresh perspective on traditional and emerging methods of communication. This extensive study of the past with an eye toward the future has equipped her with a unique set of skills to discover what makes Purdue audiences tick, where they get their news and how we can leverage that information to provide the best experience possible.
A leader by nature, Christy takes on the role of coach in many capacities, including as captain of her local roller derby team.
Wes Mills
Senior Strategic Communicator and Public and Media Relations Specialist
Wes Mills
Senior Strategic Communicator and Public and Media Relations Specialist
From on-air personality to producer and writer to TV news manager, Wes has done it all. Whether interviewing astronauts and C-suite executives or eyewitnesses when there’s breaking news, Wes knows that everyone has a story to tell – and he’s there to listen.
As a teammate, Wes prides himself on his commitment and readiness to step in whenever and wherever. When he isn’t working, you can find him reading historical biographies and spending time with his family. One of Wes’ highest professional accomplishments was helping South Bend’s WNDU-TV win best news operation in the country. The award, Wes says, wasn’t just about the ratings – but a reflection of sound on-air judgment and community impact.
Abbey Nickel
Senior Writer/Communication Specialist
Abbey Nickel
Senior Writer/Communication Specialist
Passionate about science, health and research, Abbey brings a deep love for storytelling and unbridled enthusiasm to every project. A major multi-tasker, she handles internal and executive communications and also covers research writing. She shares stories about the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as the College of Health and Human Sciences and helps connect media with their experts.
A former journalist, she has learned that being quiet and observant allows her to soak in all the details and nuances of her story subjects.
Obsessed with music, Abbey loves going to concerts and always has headphones close at hand.
Matthew Oates
Senior Writer/Editor, Communication Specialist
Matthew Oates
Senior Writer/Editor, Communication Specialist
A third-generation Boilermaker with a passion for Purdue, Matthew started writing for his church newspaper as an undergrad, earning a bachelor’s in journalistic communication from the Brian Lamb School of Communication.
Now, Matthew writes stories about the people of Purdue and connects media to faculty, staff and students to share their innovations and achievements. An Indianapolis native, he’s particularly grateful to work in support of the Purdue Polytechnic High Schools.
Happiest while hiking with his family, this dedicated gardener and nature lover cannot abide people who litter in parks. And while he’s nice enough not to comment, he definitely notices poorly planned landscaping.
Trevor Peters
Senior Communication Specialist, National Media
Trevor Peters
Senior Communication Specialist, National Media
For Trevor Peters, there’s nothing like driving down State Street in West Lafayette to work each morning. Peters is a third-generation Boilermaker who defines himself on three things: faith, family and Purdue.
As a kid, he dreamed of becoming a television news anchor — which he did, first working in Lafayette and then Cincinnati. Today, Peters sits on the other side of the desk, promoting Purdue to major news outlets across the world. Whether in his current role, as a news anchor or just telling a story to his friends, what Peters loves most is the reaction from getting to tell a good story.
Carly Rosenberger
Internal Communications Specialist
Carly Rosenberger
Internal Communications Specialist
Carly Rosenberger believes that a large part of becoming a good writer is being observant. She began practicing her observation skills from a young age, always choosing to take a back seat and observe situations before acting. Her keen investigative skills contribute to her success as an internal communications specialist who tells Purdue’s stories with an eye for detail.
Originally from Otterbein, Indiana, Carly is proud of the circle of close family and friends she has built that support her to this day — she still makes time to kayak, camp or otherwise spend time with many of her high school friends.
Michael Robb
Video News Content Producer
Michael Robb
Video News Content Producer
Michael Robb has a motto: “if you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” The quote, originally from a TED Talk, hangs on his wall to remind Michael never to second-guess himself. And when working in his chosen field, he rarely has the luxury of time to do that.
When the moment comes, Michael is always ready to grab his equipment and be the first man filming the action. Even if the action is as unassuming as a Purdue professor’s analysis of the most recent worldwide Netflix hit.
When Michael isn’t behind the camera, he prefers to absorb other people’s creative work to relax and inspire him for future projects. His favorite type of media is animation, listing “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Coco,” “The Incredibles” and “The Emperor’s New Groove” as need-to-watch titles for any animation lover.
Tom Schott
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
Tom Schott
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
At age 12, Tom started his own baseball magazine. Years later, he’s still energized by the process of storytelling. What started as a 10-month internship blossomed into a career at Purdue that included nearly 30 years in Purdue Athletics communications. Now, Tom focuses on sharing stories about the Board of Trustees and Purdue Global.
A prolific writer, Tom authored/co-authored four books on Purdue sports, and his bylines have graced dozens of magazines, newspapers and other publications. A strong proponent of public education, he’s served on the West Lafayette Community Schools board of trustees and the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation board of directors.
Derek Schultz
Senior Strategic Communicator and Media Relations Specialist
Derek Schultz
Senior Strategic Communicator and Media Relations Specialist
Growing up in Connecticut, Derek imagined someday becoming the play-by-play announcer for his beloved New York Knicks. Those dreams led him into a career in sports media, where he worked as an Indianapolis sports radio host, columnist and podcaster for more than a decade.
A natural people person, Derek leverages his Indianapolis media experience to strengthen existing relationships and cultivate new ones as he spreads the word about Purdue’s work in Indy and beyond.
Derek and his wife, Ashley, love to travel. They hope to take their son, James, to all 50 states by the time he graduates high school. James has already visited 20 states as of this writing, and he’s only 6, so he’s well on his way.
Torrie Sheridan
Senior Writer, Executive and Presidential
Torrie Sheridan
Senior Writer, Executive and Presidential
Torrie is proud to put her passion for writing and wordsmithing to use while propelling her alma mater forward.
While assisting President Mung Chiang and other university leaders with communication plans, public relations strategies, presentations, correspondence, background briefings and other messaging duties, Torrie gets stuff done with ever-present optimism.
She loves to get outdoors, whether it’s to snow ski or hang out at the lake. And regardless of whether it’s hot or cold outside, Torrie is always up for starting her day with an iced caramel latte.
Erin Smith
Editor
Erin Smith
Editor
Erin Smith puts her boundless curiosity to use by paying close attention to the minutiae in every document she edits – and she has worked on some big projects! Before joining our team, Erin edited numerous New York Times bestselling books – including titles by Francine Rivers and Joel C. Rosenberg – as well as “Coming Back Stronger” by Purdue football legend Drew Brees.
When she’s not helping share the stories of her alma mater, Erin likes to read, help out with her church’s youth group and listen to music by her favorite artist, Steven Curtis Chapman. She’s also involved with New Life for Haiti, an organization that built and operates a model school, houses vulnerable children and develops community health, agronomy and animal care programs to support Haitian communities.
Brittany Steff
Senior Science Writer/Communications Specialist
Brittany Steff
Senior Science Writer/Communications Specialist
One of those kids who scored really well in English, but actually liked science better, Brittany found a way to merge both her passion and her skills as a science writer. She majored in biology at Purdue, so she understands the scientific stuff and knows how to interpret cool discoveries and innovations for a general audience, whether the revelation is among the stars, lurking inside the human body or in the quantum depths of matter itself.
She spent nearly a decade writing for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Also a hobby photographer, animals are, naturally, among her favorite subjects.
Lisa Tally
Senior Editor
Lisa Tally
Senior Editor
Asked to describe herself, Lisa Tally is quick to respond: persnickety. As an editor, it comes with the territory. She abides by the saying, “God is in the details — and so is the devil.”
Tally is also passionate about the broader picture. Her Purdue career has spanned three decades and seemingly every corner of campus. Over that time, the relationships that Tally has nurtured have given her deep institutional knowledge and keen insight into the workings of campus life.
When not at her day job, Tally can be found working out The New York Times crossword puzzle, walking her dog or playing piano for her church or local theater productions. She has performed twice for Purdue’s theater program — as part of an ensemble for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and in the pit for “Cabaret.”
Brian Zink
Editor
Brian Zink
Editor
Thanks to years of experience in the news and editing worlds, Brian Zink has learned that the main goal of being an editor is to go unnoticed by the reader. According to him, your editing is only as good as the mistakes you missed. But he also believes that editing is more than just about catching and fixing grammatical mistakes. For Brian, the most rewarding aspects of his job are interacting with writers and leaving everything you touched just a little bit better than it started.
Brian says he can find a song lyric that fits almost any situation, finding inspiration both through listening to music and playing it. He spends his weekends playing guitar with his musician friends, riding his motorcycle and picking golf back up after 20 years without playing. His advice for finding success in life is to “chase happiness, and accomplishment will follow.”