Podcast Summary:

This Is Purdue
Episode: College Majors That Didn’t Exist 10 Years Ago: How To Stay Future-Ready
Host: Kate Young
Guest: Dimitri Peroulis, Senior Vice President for Partnerships and Online at Purdue University
Date: September 25, 2025

Overview

This episode of This Is Purdue explores how Purdue University keeps students “future ready” by offering new, innovative degree programs and integrating hands-on, experiential learning with close industry partnerships. Senior Vice President Dimitri Peroulis shares insights into Purdue’s strategy to develop relevant majors and micro-credentials—many of which didn’t exist a decade ago—and his advice for students to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Need for Future-Ready Education (00:43 – 03:21)

• Changing Student Experience: Dimitri reflects on the shift from his own education to today’s, highlighting the need for students to understand industry and gain integrated, hands-on experience.
  • “Those students do need to be future ready. They do need to understand how industry works…through a full integration.” (00:43)
• Role at Purdue: Dimitri oversees partnerships (industry, global, local), online programs, and engagement to keep Purdue’s offerings aligned with workforce needs.

Strategic Industry Partnerships (03:21 – 05:08)

• Full Integration with Industry: Purdue partners with companies like Eli Lilly & Co. and Wabash to provide immersive experiences rather than "one-off" internships.
  • “We try to integrate them fully in the curriculum… what they might learn in the classroom, but also what kind of research experiences…what kind of internship experiences and co-ops …” (03:51)
• Student Impact: Through these alliances, students can engage with real-world challenges, learn from industry professionals (often Purdue alumni), and develop mentorships.

Hands-On Experience & Student Engagement (05:08 – 08:23)

• Beyond the Classroom: Dimitri emphasizes that only half of a student’s learning comes from the classroom; the rest is from industry interaction, research, and co-curriculars.
  • “What you get at Purdue, inside the classroom should not be more than 50% of your whole experience.” (06:12)
• Getting Involved: He encourages students to “not be shy” and utilize multiple, comfortable entry points—research centers, clubs, or programs—to get involved.
  • “Knocking on somebody's door, virtual or real, is a little bit intimidating, but that's why we're here…start with the most comfortable one, but slowly push their comfort zone.” (07:58)

Innovative Online Programs & Micro-Credentials (08:23 – 12:03)

• Flexible, Career-Focused Offerings: Purdue now offers entire master’s and doctorate degrees online, equivalent to their on-campus counterparts, taught by top faculty.
  • “You can get a Doctor of Technology and as of last year, a Doctor of Engineering, fully online. Very, very unique opportunities… same degrees and the same credentials that people can earn here on our campus.” (08:46)
• Micro-Credentials: For rapid upskilling, especially in fields like AI, Purdue offers a range of short, stackable micro-credentials (13 currently) designed for immediate workforce application. Many are industry-collaborative and ABET-accredited.
  • “For example, we have AI storytelling. So how do you bring AI and…convey what you want to say in a very engaging way?" (10:38)

Preparing for an Unpredictable World (12:03 – 14:42)

• Defining “Future-Ready”: It means having a technical foundation plus curiosity, creativity, adaptability, and flexibility—a mindset, not just a skill set.
  • “Their mindset has to be a mindset of curiosity, of creativity, a mindset where they can take risks… be adaptive and flexible.” (12:30)
• Online Student Experience: With working professionals in mind, Purdue designs flexible, top-ranked online programs—supported by faculty and industry partners.
  • Memorable Story: Dmitri shares an anecdote about a nuclear submarine officer who needed assistance meeting class requirements due to being underwater for weeks:
    • “A few years ago... a student who was a nuclear submarine officer ... we helped the student do the work as he needed. And it's that flexibility...that has put Purdue in a leadership position in the online courses.” (13:36)

Purdue’s Ongoing Support & Alumni Engagement (14:42 – 16:12)

• Continued Support: Purdue alumni are encouraged to return for additional learning as their careers evolve.
  • “We help them afterwards…this is not a static world... we're always there for them. When they come to our door, they can be absolutely certain that they get the best of the best.” (15:30)

Dimitri Peroulis’s Journey & Insights (16:12 – 18:25)

• Joining Purdue: Attracted by the balance of research and teaching excellence, state-of-the-art nanotech facilities, and a welcoming community.
  • “Purdue's values were really well aligned with what I was looking for...the Burke Nanotechnology center was just coming up...a big magnet.” (16:28)
• Teaching & Leadership: Believes teaching and leadership require similar skills: curiosity, compassion, and empowering others.
  • “A good teacher is all about connecting with the students…leadership positions require similar skills.” (17:34)

Evolution of Education and the Workforce (18:25 – 20:09)

• Past vs. Present: Dimitri describes the shift from an analytical, theory-heavy education in Greece to today’s emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, business mindset, and hands-on experience.
  • “Thankfully, I think we are now providing more opportunities than in the past.” (20:07)

Advice for Today’s Students (20:09 – 22:29)

• If He Were a Student Now: Pursue technical depth, creative expression (poetry, music), and a global, business-minded perspective.
  • “I would say excellence in technology... [and] creative expressions will be more and more crucial in the future ... and thinking about the global business impact.” (20:31)
• Advice for Entering the Workforce:
  • “Resilience is a key skill ... [balance] grabbing opportunities, being out there...and being able to cope with difficulties that will come almost for sure.” (21:35)

Final Thoughts & Purdue’s Mission (22:29 – 23:09)

• People and Impact:
  • “Purdue is where innovation actually meets impact. And that's what really is exciting so much.” (22:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What you get at Purdue, inside the classroom should not be more than 50% of your whole experience. The other 50% is outside.” —Dimitri Peroulis (06:12)
• "We try to integrate [industry partners] fully in the curriculum of the student … provide a whole hub of experiences.” —Dimitri Peroulis (03:51)
• “You can get a Doctor of Technology and as of last year, a Doctor of Engineering, fully online. Very, very unique opportunities.” —Dimitri Peroulis (08:46)
• “Their mindset has to be a mindset of curiosity, of creativity, a mindset where they can take risks … be adaptive and flexible.” —Dimitri Peroulis (12:30)
• “A good teacher is all about connecting with the students, is all about curiosity, compassion…” —Dimitri Peroulis (17:26)
• “Resilience is a key skill…not being discouraged, not giving up. The world is moving fast, is adaptive, but it also provides lots of opportunities.” —Dimitri Peroulis (21:36)
• “Purdue is where innovation actually meets impact.” —Dimitri Peroulis (22:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic/Quote | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|:-------------:| | Introduction & Theme – Future-Ready Students | 00:43 | | Industry Partnerships & Full Integration | 03:21 | | Advice on Student Engagement | 07:13 | | Online Programs & Micro-Credentials | 08:38 | | Defining “Future Ready” | 12:15 | | Online Student Flexibility (Nuclear Submarine Story) | 13:36 | | Continued Support for Alumni | 15:30 | | Teaching and Leadership Overlap | 17:21 | | If Dimitri Were a Student Now | 20:18 | | Advice for Today’s Graduates | 21:35 | | Final Thoughts: “Where Innovation Meets Impact” | 22:46 |

Episode Tone & Style

Dimitri Peroulis exudes enthusiasm, humility, and a clear sense of mission—a deep belief in lifelong learning, curiosity, and community. The conversation balances technical details with a human touch, encouraging students to pursue not just skills but also values and wider perspectives.