Renee Thomas on Helping College Students Find Their Community at Purdue University

Summary

Podcast Summary: Renee Thomas on Helping College Students Find Their Community at Purdue University

This summary encapsulates the insightful conversation between host Kate Young and Renee Thomas, Purdue University's Associate Vice Provost for Student Access and Community Engagement. The episode delves into Renee's 35-year journey at Purdue, her contributions to fostering a sense of community among students, and the recognition she has received for her impactful work.

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1. Introduction to Renee Thomas

Timestamp: [00:00 - 01:26]

Renee Thomas joins Kate Young on This Is Purdue to discuss her extensive career dedicated to enhancing student life at Purdue University. As the former Director of the Black Cultural Center and now Associate Vice Provost, Renee has significantly influenced countless Boilermakers' lives through her commitment to community engagement and student access.

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2. Renee's Journey to Purdue

Timestamp: [02:22 - 03:54]

Renee shares her initial steps into higher education. Beginning as a Resident Assistant (RA) during her undergraduate years, she discovered her passion for student affairs. After a stint at Ohio University in the affirmative action office, Renee was inspired by Purdue's Black Cultural Center—a leading example of multicultural student programming—which led her to join Purdue in 1990. Reflecting on her long tenure, she remarks:

"And 30 years later, I'm still here at Purdue University." [03:54]

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3. Fostering a Sense of Belonging

Timestamp: [04:03 - 05:57]

Renee emphasizes the critical role of belonging in student retention and academic success. She highlights the importance of creating spaces where students can form connections and engage in culturally relevant programs. By offering diverse events and supportive environments, Purdue ensures that students cultivate lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community.

"Belonging is so important. We know that students who have a sense of belonging tend to have higher retention at the university, and they also tend to perform better academically." [04:03]

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4. Expanding the Black Cultural Center

Timestamp: [05:08 - 06:26]

Renee discusses her pivotal role in transforming Purdue's Black Cultural Center (BCC) into a flagship institution. Through securing philanthropic support, she ensured the creation of a freestanding facility, emphasizing that the true value lies in the vibrant activities within. The BCC boasts a robust performing arts ensemble program that travels nationally and internationally, fostering a holistic student experience by balancing Purdue's STEM focus with the arts.

"We have a very robust performing arts ensemble program where they travel all over the country and world doing performance engagements. It's a way in which the students have that sense of balance." [05:26]

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5. Role as Associate Vice Provost for Student Access and Community Engagement

Timestamp: [08:07 - 10:14]

With the establishment of Purdue University’s Indianapolis campus in 2024, Renee’s role expanded to include significant community engagement initiatives. She outlines her approach using a metaphor of a stool with three legs:

1. Community Engagement: Building strong partnerships with Indianapolis organizations.
2. K-12 Initiatives: Developing pipelines with local school systems to encourage Indiana residents to attend Purdue.
3. Student Experience: Enhancing the overall student journey to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment.

"I like to look at it from a stool with three legs. One of the legs is community engagement. One of the legs is K through 12 initiatives, and the other leg is the student experience." [10:47]

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6. Awards and Honors

Timestamp: [17:03 - 21:14]

Renee reflects on two significant awards she received in 2024:

1. Special Boilermaker Award: Recognizes her substantial contributions to improving student life and educational experiences at Purdue. She shares a heartfelt moment of surprise when her name was announced while she was emceeing an alumni dinner.

   "That was one of the most humbling and emotional experiences I've had at Purdue." [18:29]

2. Indiana Civil Rights Commission's Achievement in Education Award: Acknowledges her innovative strategies in promoting student growth and achievement. Renee attributes this honor to collective community efforts and mentors who have supported her journey.

   "I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of so many that come before me and have paved the way." [20:15]

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7. Advice to Students

Timestamp: [14:46 - 16:12]

Renee offers practical advice to students seeking to build their community at Purdue:

• Stretch Beyond Comfort Zones: Encourage students to engage with diverse groups and participate in various university activities.
• Utilize Available Resources: Attend programs and events advertised across campus to meet new people and form connections.

"I would encourage them to be that rubber band and stretch outside of their boundaries and take advantage of everything that the university has to offer." [15:02]

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8. Reflections on Career and Mentorship

Timestamp: [22:18 - 24:29]

Renee reminisces about key moments in her career, including the opening of the new BCC facility and leading research tours exploring the African American experience through the arts. She attributes her success to mentors who believed in her potential and role models who demonstrated integrity and authenticity.

"Some of the students have doubts and fears whenever they come. It's important to see them successful even before they see themselves as being successful." [23:53]

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9. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Timestamp: [24:39 - 25:47]

Renee underscores the importance of collaboration and seizing opportunities to foster community and personal growth. She expresses deep gratitude for Purdue’s supportive environment, which has allowed her to dedicate over three decades to enhancing the Boilermaker community.

"Community is a place in which you can come and explore all kinds of possibilities and not only explore those possibilities but to make them become reality." [24:54]

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10. Final Thoughts

Renee encourages students to fully engage with campus life, emphasizing that collaboration and active participation are vital for personal and communal success.

"Take full advantage of the opportunities that exist here on campus and recognizing that collaboration is absolutely critical." [25:33]

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Conclusion

Renee Thomas’s enduring dedication to Purdue University exemplifies the spirit of a Boilermaker committed to creating an inclusive and dynamic community. Her efforts in expanding cultural centers, fostering community engagement, and mentoring students have left an indelible mark on the university. This episode serves as an inspiring testament to the profound impact one individual can have in shaping the educational and personal experiences of countless students.

Transcript

[Renee Thomas]

This is Renee Thomas, and you're listening.

[Kate Young]

To this Is Purdue.

Hi, I'm Kate Young, and you're listening to this Is Purdue, the official podcast for Purdue University. As a Purdue alum and Indiana native, I know firsthand about the family of students and professors who are in it together, persistently pursuing and relentlessly rethinking. Who are the next game changers, difference makers, ceiling breakers, innovators? Who are these Boilermakers? Join me as we feature students, faculty and alumni taking small steps toward their giant leaps and inspiring others to do the same.

Sometimes I think that as new students, we may be a little bit shy and bashful and not stretch ourselves in terms of relationship building. I think it's important to stretch yourself, and I think that they will develop community and that sense of belonging by reaching beyond their inner circle. Whenever we come to a university, we tend to congregate with folks that look like us and think like us. And I would encourage them to be that rubber band and stretch outside of their boundaries and take advantage of everything that the university has to offer.

[Podcast Host]

In this episode of this Is Purdue.

[Renee Thomas]

We'Re talking to Renee Thomas.

[Podcast Host]

As Purdue's associate Vice Provost for student access and community engagement and the former.

[Renee Thomas]

Director of the Black Cultural Center, Renee has made a lasting impact in countless boilermaker lives. In 2024, Renee was awarded with two incredible honors. First, the special Boilermaker Award, which honors a member of the Purdue faculty or staff who has contributed significantly to the improvement of the quality of life or the betterment of the educational experience for Purdue students. She also won the Indiana Civil Rights Commission's Achievement in Education award, which recognizes an educator who has used innovative strategies to promote growth and achievement for their students. We dig into both of these honors and what they mean to Renee. Plus, she shares more about her 35 year boilermaker journey and how it feels to increase opportunities for students throughout Indiana, especially for Purdue students in both West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Our team was so honored to talk to Renee, so.

[Podcast Host]

So let's get to it.

[Renee Thomas]

Here's our conversation.

[Podcast Host]

Renee, thank you so much for joining us on this Is Purdue, our official university podcast. We're just excited because you've made such an impact on so many boilermaker lives over the years. So we're excited to dig into your journey at Purdue and the legacy that you have. So let's get right to it. We'll start at the beginning because you are very well versed in higher ed. Tell us how you got to Purdue and what drew you into the Purdue community back in 1990.

[Renee Thomas]

Certainly well, first of all, I want.

[Kate Young]

To say thank you for this opportunity to share more about my experiences and my commitment to the university as well. So it's a joy to be here.

[Renee Thomas]

I came to Purdue back in 1990. Higher education was a field that I.

[Kate Young]

Wasn'T even aware of at one point. That was a professional field that you could go into. So as an undergrad, I worked as an RA in the residence halls, and that's when I first got my exposure to student affairs. I left the university and went to Ohio. University is where I had my first full time career. And it was in the affirmative action office. And we were doing some student programming, multicultural student programming. And as we were developing that program, Purdue Black Cultural center was one of the ones that we benchmarked. And after I visited, I thought, man, that would be a wonderful place to work on a full time basis.

[Renee Thomas]

Lo and behold, an opportunity became available.

[Kate Young]

And I accepted it.

[Renee Thomas]

And 30 years later, I'm still here at Purdue University.

Creating community and a sense of belonging for students is incredibly important here at Purdue. So how does Renee and her team work to achieve this?

Belonging is so important. We know that students who have a sense of belonging tend to have higher retention at the university, and they also tend to perform better academically. It's important that we provide spaces at the university in which connections can be made, because we know that part of.

[Kate Young]

The college experience is making lifelong friendships. So connections are important.

[Renee Thomas]

And then it's also important to have.

[Kate Young]

Culturally relevant events and programs and activities and to have a very supportive environment.

[Podcast Host]

Absolutely. I still have friends from my time at Purdue, so usually in college, you know, you do make those lifelong connections. I feel like I know you talked about Purdue's Black Cultural center and you admiring it from afar in your first role. And it's nationally recognized as one of the best collegiate cultural centers in the country. So tell me a little bit more about your role when it came to expanding the Black Cultural center and nurturing it to what it is today.

[Renee Thomas]

From a facility standpoint, I'm very excited that we were one of the first freestanding cultural centers in the country. And I was very much involved in.

[Kate Young]

The securing philanthropic support for the creation.

[Renee Thomas]

Of the freestanding facility. And I tell people all the time it's not just about the bricks and mortar, but it's about what happens inside.

[Kate Young]

The doors of the BCC and that.

[Renee Thomas]

We have a very robust performing arts ensemble program where they travel all over.

[Kate Young]

The country and world doing performance engagements. It's a way in which the students.

[Renee Thomas]

Have that Sense of balance, because being.

[Kate Young]

A STEM focused campus, the arts is something that is critical in terms of.

[Renee Thomas]

The student having a holistic experience while.

[Kate Young]

They'Re at the university.

[Renee Thomas]

We also have introduced study abroad programs.

[Kate Young]

And research tours at the Black Cultural.

[Renee Thomas]

Center, and it provides students to become global citizens.

[Kate Young]

We are rich institutionally as it relates to our international student population.

[Renee Thomas]

And not only the students have an.

[Kate Young]

Opportunity to interact with the international students.

[Renee Thomas]

Here, but they also have opportunities to.

[Kate Young]

Go abroad and get exposure on a global context as well. So we're really proud about the performing arts ensemble program, which we have five different ensembles to share about the African American experience through the arts.

[Renee Thomas]

And it's not just for African American students.

[Kate Young]

All students are engaged and actively participating in the Black Cultural Center.

[Podcast Host]

I know we had Stephen McKinley Henderson on, and he talked about being a citizen of the world and how much the Black Cultural center meant to him during his time at Purdue. So it was cool to see you using some of his language that he also mentioned.

[Renee Thomas]

Yes.

[Kate Young]

And, you know, it's interesting because I.

[Renee Thomas]

Always tell people that homecoming is usually.

[Kate Young]

My favorite time of the year in which alumni come back to the university and have time to reflect about what.

[Renee Thomas]

Was important to them as an undergraduate.

[Kate Young]

Or even a graduate student.

[Renee Thomas]

And it's just so affirming to hear the role that the Black Cultural center.

[Kate Young]

Has played in student development. It's a joy to see the impact that many of our alumni are making, and they always talk about how they got their start at Purdue University and through the Black Cultural center programs and activities.

[Renee Thomas]

I asked Renee about other examples of roles that Purdue's cultural centers play in creating a sense of belonging for students.

The cultural centers, not just the Black Cultural center, but all five cultural centers, play a huge role in creating a sense of belonging on campus. Representation is important, and the cultural centers provide individuals on their team and staff that represent the populations that they're serving.

[Kate Young]

It also, they provide culturally relevant programming.

[Renee Thomas]

To affirm our students in terms of their various ethnic identities on campus. And it also is a congregating place.

[Kate Young]

A place, we call it sometimes a.

[Renee Thomas]

Home away from home for our students.

[Kate Young]

Where they can come in and quote.

[Renee Thomas]

Unquote, be themselves, let their hair down.

[Kate Young]

And really just hang out with one.

[Renee Thomas]

Another and have that sense of community.

[Kate Young]

It builds a strong community and then.

[Renee Thomas]

Leadership development as well.

[Kate Young]

Our goal is to nurture the students.

[Renee Thomas]

In such a way that they develop some skills, abilities, and then whenever they.

[Kate Young]

Leave Purdue and even during their tenure at Purdue, is that they grow as.

[Renee Thomas]

It relates to their leadership.

Renee discusses how her role has expanded since the announcement and official opening of Purdue University in Indianapolis on July 1, 2024.

[Kate Young]

I think that the primary area in which I've seen some expansion are that.

[Renee Thomas]

I'm really involved in some robust engagement.

[Kate Young]

Initiatives with the City of Indianapolis and organizations throughout the community, and we're looking to create some very strong partnerships through our outreach efforts.

[Renee Thomas]

And in turn, we hope that those partnerships, and we anticipate that those partnerships.

[Kate Young]

Will turn into recruitment efforts so that we continue to bring in a very diverse set of students coming to the University and that we recognize too that.

[Renee Thomas]

We are coming into an existing community. Even though Purdue is new to the.

[Kate Young]

Community, we are the new kids on the block. So we are also recognizing that we have a strong need to continue to familiarize ourselves with the local community and develop the necessary knowledge to engage them in meaningful ways.

[Podcast Host]

As we discussed earlier, Renee is the.

[Renee Thomas]

Associate Vice Provost for Student Access and Community Engagement at Purdue. She discusses how it felt stepping into this role and how she views the three pillars of her work to ensure belonging for all Boilermaker students.

[Kate Young]

This role really was a unique opportunity and I am just so delighted that.

[Renee Thomas]

I have been able to transition into.

[Kate Young]

A full time position. About a year ago, whenever Purdue and IU announced the separation of the two institutions, one of the things that was very paramount is the location of Purdue in Indianapolis. It sits on Indiana Avenue, which is a very historical and vibrant African American community existed there prior to the emergence of IUPUI 50 years ago.

[Renee Thomas]

And as we moved into the community.

[Kate Young]

We wanted to ensure that we were developing positive relationships with the community. And because it was a predominantly African.

[Renee Thomas]

American community, it made natural sense in.

[Kate Young]

Terms of my passion for African American culture and history to be able to network and familiarize myself with the local community and develop increased level of knowledge of the community and that has been great. As I look at the position as Associate Vice Provost for Student Access and Community Engagement, I tell people I like to look at it from a stool with three legs.

[Renee Thomas]

One of the legs is community engagement.

[Kate Young]

One of the legs is K through 12 initiatives, and the other leg is the student experience. Being able to have impact in each of those areas has been a joy. We done several programming with our students who are currently enrolled as new Boilermakers.

[Renee Thomas]

First year students at Purdue University in.

[Kate Young]

Indianapolis and are continuing students again creating that sense of community and sense of belonging as it relates to the K12 area.

[Renee Thomas]

That's our pipeline.

[Kate Young]

We know that we want to have more residents from the state of Indiana attending Purdue University and Developing this pipeline.

[Renee Thomas]

Programs with local school systems, whether it be with the principals, counseling staff and.

[Kate Young]

Teachers at the various school systems.

[Renee Thomas]

Community engagement is an important part of any student's journey. With the Purdue in Indianapolis campuses, proximity to Indiana avenue, the Madam C.J. walker Theater and other institutions of great importance to Indiana's black community. Renee believes it's essential to connect Boilermaker students and alumni with with this historical community. Renee discusses how she and her team are working to do this.

We plan to do that through a variety of ways.

[Kate Young]

We actually started out with bgr, the.

[Renee Thomas]

Boiler Gold Rush, which is the freshman orientation program. We were very intentional in that as.

[Kate Young]

We were hosting BGR activities, the main.

[Renee Thomas]

Gathering space was the Madam C.J.

[Kate Young]

Walker Center.

[Renee Thomas]

And as you mentioned, Madam C.J.

[Kate Young]

Walker was a very prominent African American woman who started a hair care product.

[Renee Thomas]

Business in Indianapolis and was became the.

[Kate Young]

First African American self made millionaire and first female millionaire as well. So we actually had BGR at the Madam Walker Center.

[Renee Thomas]

We didn't just host it at the Madam Walker center, but we were able.

[Kate Young]

To share a video and share information.

[Renee Thomas]

About who Madam C.J.

[Kate Young]

Walker was in the vibrancy of Indiana Avenue. As we look at Purdue in Indianapolis, we recognize that we are Purdue's first urban campus.

[Renee Thomas]

And we want to take advantage of.

[Kate Young]

The full what the entire city has to offer our students at Purdue. Madam C.J. walker is one example. Another example is the Idle Georg Museum is right at the back door of Purdue in Indianapolis.

[Renee Thomas]

We also have the Indiana State Museum.

[Kate Young]

And the zoo and so many other areas in which we are doing program programming so that our students can be fully integrated into the entire not only campus community, but the city as well.

[Podcast Host]

Absolutely. I love everything around the canal. What you're talking about, those different museums, it's such a special place with that urban downtown feel. Right?

[Renee Thomas]

Exactly.

Renee shares another example of how she works to help students find that sense of belonging in Indianapolis.

[Kate Young]

We actually back in November we did.

[Renee Thomas]

What we call a friendsgiving activity.

[Kate Young]

Oh, fun.

[Renee Thomas]

And that was one of the largest.

[Kate Young]

Gatherings that we had sponsored by our office in which we invited students to come into a space on campus and provided them Thanksgiving spread dinner. But not only did we do the dinner, we did a workshop on gratefulness.

[Renee Thomas]

And the importance of asset framing and.

[Kate Young]

Affirming who we are as students at the university.

[Renee Thomas]

So that's just one example of many.

[Kate Young]

Many programming activities that we've done to.

[Renee Thomas]

Create that sense of community.

[Kate Young]

And we're continuing to leverage the ideas.

[Renee Thomas]

That students are coming to us with.

[Kate Young]

And asking them to get their input.

[Renee Thomas]

In terms of programmatic support, what is.

[Kate Young]

It that they need, and developing programs in response to them.

[Renee Thomas]

Renee mentioned earlier how important that sense of belonging is during your college experience. It not only leads to higher retention and better academic performance, but it also can form lifelong bonds and connections. So what advice would Renee give to students at both the West Lafayette and Indy campuses when it comes to finding their fit and that sense of belonging during their college experience?

[Kate Young]

Sometimes I think that as new students.

[Renee Thomas]

We may be a little bit shy.

[Kate Young]

And bashful and not stretch ourselves in terms of relationship building. I think it's important to stretch yourself in relationship building and stretch yourself as it relates to your academic goals.

[Renee Thomas]

And I think that they will develop.

[Kate Young]

Community and that sense of belonging by reaching beyond their inner circle. Whenever we come to a university, we tend to congregate with folks that look like us and think like us. And I would encourage them to be that rubber band and stretch outside of their boundaries and take advantage of everything that the university has to offer. Try something new, try something different that you haven't done before and introduce yourselves. It's amazing to me sometimes how students say, oh, well, I don't feel comfortable just going up to someone and introducing myself or saying hi. I think a lot of students have that feeling. And if you break the ice, I think that relationships will be developed and that you will have that sense of community. And it may even be that you.

[Renee Thomas]

Are walking through one of the buildings at Purdue in Indianapolis and say, you know what? There's a flyer advertising a trip to.

[Kate Young]

The zoo, or there's a flyer advertising that the LGBTQ community is doing something at the Phoenix Theater. Don't just read those flyers, but stretch yourself like that rubber band and actually go to that program or that activity that you see promoted and again, introduce yourself while you're there.

[Podcast Host]

I love that analogy of the rubber band, and I think that's so true, because even at as adults. Right. In, like, networking situations or at a wedding or at a party. Right. The worst part is the anticipation of going up and introducing yourself. But as soon as you break the ice, like you said, it's very natural. And you feel so proud of yourself for doing that, Right?

[Kate Young]

Exactly.

[Renee Thomas]

Yes.

Renee has been at Purdue for 35 years now. I asked her about a few key moments that she's most proud of when it comes to creating a welcoming environment and fostering this boilermaker community.

Wow, that's hard to narrow it down.

[Kate Young]

To just one or two things. I think one of my proudest moments was whenever we opened the doors of.

[Renee Thomas]

The new Black Cultural center facility.

[Kate Young]

And again, it wasn't necessarily about the.

[Renee Thomas]

Bricks and mortar, but it was about.

[Kate Young]

The activities that happen in there.

[Renee Thomas]

Another proud moment has been some of.

[Kate Young]

Our research tours that we've taken in which we've gone to various cities and really dived into the African American experience through the arts. Another proud moment has just been the people that I've met here at Purdue University.

[Renee Thomas]

You know, we are a world class.

[Kate Young]

Institution and we attract some of the.

[Renee Thomas]

Best and brightest minds, not only in.

[Kate Young]

The nation, but the best and brightest in the world. And to be able to have relationships with those individuals has been a proud moment. And as I mentioned earlier, homecoming is always a proud moment. Moment for me to know that some of the work that I've done over the years has played a very positive impact on the success of students in terms of developing their self confidence and their self advocacy and their willingness to be their authentic selves.

[Renee Thomas]

Speaking of the Boilermaker community and its people being special, in the fall of 2024, Renee was awarded the special Boilermaker Award, which honors a member of the Purdue faculty or staff who has contributed significantly to the improvement of, of the quality of life or the betterment of the educational experience for Purdue students. You may remember our recent this is Purdue podcast guest Antony Codron was also a recipient of this award. Renee shares what this honor meant to her.

That was one of the most humbling.

[Kate Young]

And emotional experiences I've had at Purdue. The actual award was announced by the Alumni association at a family dinner, which is a gathering that the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging does on an annual basis. And I was emceeing that dinner and at the very end of the dinner they announced this book, special Boilermaker Award. And I was thinking that it was, you know, I wasn't sure what was going on in terms of the program. And to hear my name announced, it was just overwhelming. And then to have the honor bestowed at the football game, which was sold out, and it was just an incredible fan experience that intercollegiate athletics has created. I had not been in the stadium probably a couple of years prior to Covid and I was like, oh my gosh, I have to get season tickets now. This is just such an incredible, vibrant, over the top experience. So it's been very humbling and also a time of reflection for me.

[Podcast Host]

That's an interesting twist that you were emceeing the event and then they said.

[Renee Thomas]

That you won it.

[Podcast Host]

That's awesome.

[Kate Young]

It was quite, quite an emotional time and totally unexpected. It was More than I could have ever imagined.

[Renee Thomas]

Renee also received the Indiana Civil Rights Commission's Achievement in Education Award in 2024. This award recognizes an educator who has used innovative strategies to promote growth and achievement for their students. Renee explains more about this incredible honor and what it means to her. Plus she reflects on her career and those initial goals she had coming into the spoilermaker community.

That award was presented by the Indiana.

[Kate Young]

Civil Rights Commission and I must say I saw this award as being a community wide award.

[Renee Thomas]

Yes, I was named as the recipient, but I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of so many that come.

[Kate Young]

Before me and have paved the way. And I just felt that it was a pinnacle moment in my career and one that I know that it was a result of a community wide efforts.

[Renee Thomas]

In terms of the importance of educating.

[Kate Young]

Individuals within the state of Indiana. It was just very pivotal and one in which again, I think that sometimes we don't always recognize the tireless efforts of others and how that that has played a critical role in catapulting us to our successes. And there's many esteemed leaders on campus that I admire and feel that they are part of the receipt of this award as well.

[Podcast Host]

Absolutely. How does it feel to be a leader who's increasing opportunity for all different types of students throughout the state of Indiana?

[Renee Thomas]

I feel that education has the potential.

[Kate Young]

To transform people to create opportunities that they may, may or may not have had otherwise. And the fact that I can play a small part of that transformation has been very rewarding.

[Renee Thomas]

The testimonials that I hear from students and the brilliance that they bring to.

[Kate Young]

The campus as well. I think that sometimes we don't always asset frame our students and recognizing that.

[Renee Thomas]

They have so much to give and.

[Kate Young]

That we are educating individuals that will.

[Renee Thomas]

Discover a cur for cancer.

[Kate Young]

We're educating individuals that will be role models and mentors to youth. We are educating individuals that hopefully will cure climate issues in our world. And it's just amazing to have some small part in the many, many attributes that Purdue alumni carry forward.

[Podcast Host]

I love that you talked about reflecting back on your career when you won these two different massive awards this year.

[Renee Thomas]

When you look back on your career.

[Podcast Host]

When you first started, was it always a goal for you to be creating this sense of community, increasing opportunities for students? What would you say when you look back?

[Kate Young]

I would say that Purdue has created an environment in which I have been able to flourish and thrive and I am so appreciative of that.

[Renee Thomas]

When I first came to the institution.

[Kate Young]

I came here thinking, oh, Three to five years. I'll move on to the next opportunity, whatever it happens to be.

[Renee Thomas]

Little did I know I will be putting a number behind that three.

[Kate Young]

It wouldn't be just three, but 30 plus years.

[Renee Thomas]

Yeah.

[Kate Young]

And that really speaks to the environment that exists here, that we work at an institution that is dedicated to excellence. We work at an institution that embraces creativity. We work at an institution that wants.

[Renee Thomas]

Everyone to be better than their former selves.

[Kate Young]

And in talking with some of my.

[Renee Thomas]

Colleagues at other institutions and other professions, not everybody has that opportunity to work in such a supportive environment.

[Kate Young]

I am grateful for that and I am appreciative of it as well.

[Renee Thomas]

Renee also reflects on her personal mentors and. And how they've impacted her career and how she approaches her role here at Purdue.

[Kate Young]

When I think about my mentors, one in particular was a faculty member at my undergraduate institution.

[Renee Thomas]

She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

[Kate Young]

And I think that that is something that I try to instill upon students.

[Renee Thomas]

Today because some of the students that come here produce a challenging environment. And I think that some students have doubts and fears years whenever they come.

[Kate Young]

And it's important to see them successful even before they see themselves as being successful. That's something that I have carried with me.

[Renee Thomas]

And then even here at Purdue, there.

[Kate Young]

Are several mentors and role models that I look to that I think some of them are not even aware that.

[Renee Thomas]

I see them as role models and mentors. But the way in which they carry.

[Kate Young]

Themselves, the way in which they engage.

[Renee Thomas]

In very complex and challenging conversations and.

[Kate Young]

Still maintain their integrity and authenticity is something that I always look towards and find that is an inspiration.

[Renee Thomas]

Finally, I asked Renee why she's continued to stay at Purdue for the past.

[Podcast Host]

Three and a half decades.

[Renee Thomas]

What does this special Boilermaker community mean to her?

[Kate Young]

At the end of the day, the Boilermaker community means to me, possibilities produced.

[Renee Thomas]

Community is a place in which you can come and explore all kinds of possibilities and not only explore those possibilities.

[Kate Young]

But to make them become reality. And that's the beauty of the institution, is that it creates an environment in which you can explore a variety of possibilities and not only do the exploration, but also implement those possibilities and come to the realization that those possibilities become achievable goals.

[Podcast Host]

Well, Renee, we can't thank you enough for joining us today. Is there anything else that you think is important to share with our listeners?

[Kate Young]

I just want to share with the.

[Renee Thomas]

Listeners to take full advantage of the.

[Kate Young]

Opportunities that exist here on campus and recognizing that collaboration is absolutely critical. We don't do it alone. And it's important that we continue to dedicate ourselves to the work that exists here.

[Podcast Host]

Absolutely. Well, again, we so appreciate your time and we're excited to share this episode out with the world.

[Kate Young]

Thank you so much, Kate.

[Renee Thomas]

I appreciate the opportunity.

[Podcast Host]

We're so thankful Renee joined us on this Is Purdue to discuss her impactful career. Our Boilermaker students are lucky to have a leader like Renee. You can watch Renee and learn how students can find involvement and connection at Purdue on our podcast YouTube page YouTube YouTube.com sign thisisperdue and remember to follow Thisis Purdue on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts as we continue to roll out new episodes for our spring 2025 season. This is Purdue is hosted and written by me, Kate Young. Our podcast videography for this episode was led by Ted Schellenberger and Thad Boone. Our social media marketing is led by Maria Welch. Our podcast distribution strategy is led by Teresa Walker and Carly Eastman. Our podcast design is led by Caitlin Freeville. Our podcast photography is led by John Underwood. Our podcast team project manager is Rain Goo. Our podcast team, YouTube Promotions, is managed by Kirsten Bowman. Additional writing and research assistance is led by Sophie Ritz and Ashvini Malshi. And our this Is Purdue intern is Caroline Keim.

[Kate Young]

Thanks for listening to this Is Purdue. For more information on this episode, visit our website at purdue.edu podcast. There you can head over to your.

[Podcast Host]

Favorite podcast app to subscribe and leave us a review.

[Kate Young]

And as always, boiler up.