Purdue Global cuts ribbon on first military base extension

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – Leaders from Purdue University’s Office of Industry Partnerships, Purdue Global and Vandenberg Space Force Base gathered Wednesday, Oct. 4, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the establishment of a Purdue Global education office within Vandenberg’s education center.

This represents the first time Purdue Global has opened an extension office on a military base, specifically designed to serve the educational needs of military-affiliated students and the surrounding base community.

“Purdue and Purdue Global have had a long history of supporting the military, including the Space Force. Purdue Global is excited to open this new office at Vandenberg,” said Frank Dooley, chancellor of Purdue Global. “We have been serving active-duty personnel, veterans and their families, helping many take the next steps toward a degree that can help them in their careers while in the military and beyond.”

Joining Purdue Global in this venture are the University of Maryland Global Campus, National University and Allan Hancock College. These institutions will join forces with base personnel to support service members, veterans and their family members in pursuit of higher education and professional development goals.

Kelli Diaz, chief of the 30th Force Support Squadron’s Force Development Flight at Vandenberg, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a landmark day for Vandenberg Space Force Base and the broader Vandenberg community. The presence of these highly respected educational institutions on our base is immensely exciting. Having them as close partners, collaborators and resources will substantially enhance our ability to provide educational support and offer improved opportunities for our uniformed personnel, veterans and their families.”

Diana Hancock, Purdue University associate vice president for educational partnerships (far left), and Jody DeKorte, dean and vice president of Purdue Global’s School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies (far right), prepare to cut the ribbon on Purdue Global’s office within the education center. (Photo by Tiarra Sibley) Download image

The establishment of this satellite office is the latest example of the work done at Purdue’s Office of Industry Partnerships, which connects businesses and other organizations with the university to create mutually beneficial partnerships that accelerate innovation and create lasting impact.

“We are committed to serving and answering the educational needs of service members, veterans and their families, ensuring that we can best meet their goals and introducing them to the full range of opportunities across Purdue University,” said Diana Hancock, associate vice president for educational partnerships at the Office of Industry Partnerships. “Once we are established at Vandenberg, our vision is to expand our reach to more military installations and serve more military-affiliated students through this on-base presence model.”

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults. Purdue Global serves approximately 10,000 military-affiliated students, a population that includes uniformed personnel, veterans and eligible dependents.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

About the Purdue for Life Foundation 

The Purdue for Life Foundation helps friends and alumni of Purdue University stay connected, get involved and give back. Created on March 11, 2020, the foundation deepens alumni ties to Purdue, drives and coordinates all alumni-related activities across the Purdue family’s postgraduation lives and works with alumni and friends to garner support for the university. Our organization combines the alumni engagement function of the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office, and it includes President’s Council, the John Purdue Club and the Office of Industry Partnerships, as well as alumni lifelong learning programs and on-campus residential opportunities. Learn more at https://purdueforlife.org/.

Writer: Aaron Martin

Media contact: Matthew Oates, oatesw@purdue.edu 

Sources:

Frank Dooley, chancellor, Purdue Global

Kelli Diaz, chief, Force Development Flight

Diana Hancock, associate vice president, Office of Industry Partnerships