INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Purdue University has completed its inaugural academic year in Indianapolis, underscoring its growing role as a driver of innovation, workforce development and economic growth in Indiana’s capital city.
The 2024-25 academic year marked a strategic expansion for the university, with significant advancements in academic offerings and partnerships with industry leaders. Purdue’s presence in Indianapolis is seen as a critical extension of its mission to create job-ready graduates and serve the state through applied learning and innovation.
Dan Hasler, chief operating officer for Purdue in Indianapolis, said, “In just one year, we’ve seen tremendous momentum in how Purdue is engaging with students, employers and the broader Indianapolis community. This is about creating a new kind of college experience that is both urban and deeply connected to opportunity.”
Purdue plans to launch at least six new undergraduate and graduate programs in the next two years — a 46% and 60% increase, respectively — focused on high-demand sectors such as advanced manufacturing, sports science, construction technology and pharmaceutical engineering.
Expanding industry partnerships
The university has established relationships with 55 companies in the region, offering students access to internships, co-ops, research projects and full-time employment in fields including biosciences, tech, pharmaceuticals and engineering.
This alignment between academic programming and employer needs is part of Purdue’s core strategy for its Indianapolis campus.
“We’re seeing a new type of student applicant — one that covets a Purdue degree but wants a more urban experience that makes it easier to work while they’re in school,” Hasler said. “We believe that by giving students experience with companies in a major city center, those relationships will make them more likely to stay after graduation, which is one of our primary objectives in helping to promote brain gain.”
Rather than centralizing its operations in one location, Purdue has embedded itself throughout Indianapolis, establishing 10 physical sites through partnerships with organizations such as Elanco, Dallara and SpectronRx. These locations span from downtown to the northwest side, weaving Purdue into the city’s innovation and industry corridors.
‘One Purdue’ model
The expansion also deepens the connection between Purdue’s Indianapolis and West Lafayette campuses. More than 30,000 rides were logged this year on the Campus Connect shuttle, linking the two sites and encouraging academic and research collaboration.
Faculty and students benefit from shared programs, including EPICS (a service-learning design initiative), Vertically Integrated Projects and The Data Mine — all of which focus on experiential, interdisciplinary education.
“Indianapolis brings unique opportunities that we can’t replicate and execute in West Lafayette and vice versa, but this is One Purdue,” said David Umulis, Purdue’s senior vice provost for Indianapolis. “Our students and faculty at both locations can take advantage of tremendous experiential learning, connection and research opportunities while truly enjoying the best of both worlds.”
Looking ahead
As Purdue wraps its first year in Indianapolis, university leaders say the expansion is not only a success in terms of logistics, but a model for what urban research universities can accomplish.
With new programs on the horizon and growing support from the Indianapolis community and industry partners, Purdue’s presence in the city is expected to continue expanding. The university’s urban campus is helping to build a strong talent pipeline and stimulate long-term economic development for the region.
“This is more than a campus — it’s a statewide strategy,” Hasler said. “We’re building a future where innovation, education and opportunity intersect to benefit all of Indiana.”
