Duncan to Serve as the New Nonprofit Engagement Director for the Office of Engagement

The Office of Engagement is excited to announce the creation of a nonprofit engagement director position. Lisa Duncan who has been with the Office of Engagement since 2014 moved into this new role on October 23. This position was created to better serve nonprofit agencies and community partners within the greater Lafayette area surrounding region and to advance the university’s land-grant mission.

“One of my goals for this position is to build reciprocal relationships between the Purdue Community and nonprofit agencies in the greater Lafayette area and surrounding region and beyond,” said Duncan.

This position continues Purdue’s long history of support for nonprofits in the community. Purdue serves as one of the largest collective contributors to the local United Way of Greater Lafayette campaign, raising $657,910 in 2022 alone. The Purdue United Way campaign supports local agencies that support the community in the Greater Lafayette area.

Purdue also engages in the community to help empower nonprofits is through programs and events. The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing is a two-day workshop to help participants learn how to navigate the grant process and assist with drafting and polishing grant proposals. The Service-Learning and Community Project Grant Program is a program where students can receive up to $1,500 to complete a project with a nonprofit organization or community partner. The annual Engagement & Service-Learning Summit brings together faculty, staff, students, and community partners to discuss best practices in engagement and service-learning, highlight accomplishments, and increase collaboration opportunities. These are all examples of how the Office of Engagement encourages service in the community.

Purdue University vice president for engagement Roberto Gallardo said, “As the Office of Engagement continues to work within our home region to leverage Purdue’s brain trust and resources to address societal issues and since nonprofits are the backbone of any community, I am excited that Lisa will be taking on the nonprofit engagement director role for the Office of Engagement. She will continue to lead the United Way campaign while also building relationships with nonprofits in the region and connecting them to Purdue faculty, staff, and resources.”