ExEd Champions

Mesut Akdere: Mesut is a Professor of Human Resource Development in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and Director of the Purdue Human Resource Development Virtual Lab and Director of the Purdue HR Analytics Interactive Learning Lab. Akdere is passionate about ExEd because it represents a pivotal shift in the pedagogical landscape, offering students unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning and personalized educational experiences. This approach not only facilitates improved retention and application of knowledge but also significantly enhances student engagement and motivation. Areas of ExEd Expertise: Scenario-Based Learning, Client-Based Applied Projects, Intercultural/Travel Learning, and Reflection.

Reuben Goforth: Reuben is an Associate Professor of Aquatic Community Ecology in the College of Agriculture. Goforth is passionate about experiential education because it can be almost universally applied to a wide range of students with successful outcomes across the board. It allows students to “shine” in ways that may not be apparent otherwise. Areas of ExEd Expertise: Intercultural/Travel Learning, Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Projects, Work-Integrated Learning, and Reflection.

Christian Rogers: Chris is an is an Associate Professor of Computer Graphics Technology in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute at Purdue University in Indianapolis. Rogers is passionate about experiential education because he believes that students must gain practical experience where they are immersed in the field in which they intend to work. Areas of ExEd Expertise: Client-Based Applied Projects, Engaged Campus Experiences, Partnerships, and Reflection.

Ellen Schellhase: Ellen is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Director of International Engagement in the College of Pharmacy. Schellhase is passionate about collaborating with partners to establish student opportunities that focus on professional growth and learning allowing students to strengthen patient care skills. Areas of ExEd Expertise: Work-Integrated Learning, Intercultural/Travel Learning, Service-Learning, and Partnerships.

Sandra Sydnor: Sandra is an Associate Professor in the White Lodging –J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Sydnor is passionate about experiential education because she enjoys seeing student curiosity building in their lives and the ways in which they gain confidence because of it. She has long believed in learning while doing, chiefly because of how it increases the capacity for critical analysis and lifelong learning. Areas of ExEd Expertise: Client-Based Applied Projects, Partnerships, Reflection, Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Projects.

Elizabeth Wertz: Elizabeth is the Coordinator for the Nursing Center for Family Health in the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Wertz is passionate about experiential education because the work ExEd leaders do has the capability of impacting not only the students’ learning experiences, but also can prepare them in a unique and meaningful way for the contributions they’ll continue to make both personally and professionally. Areas of ExEd Expertise: Scenario-Based Learning, Work-Integrated Learning, Service-Learning, and Engaged Campus Experiences.