Our responsibility to provide a quality education

A recent report commissioned by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings challenged American colleges and universities to help our country become better prepared to maintain world leadership in the 21st Century by becoming more accessible, more affordable and more accountable. The Spellings Commission recognized that expanding our college-educated population is the key to closing our nation's social and economic disparities and to maintaining our position as the innovation leader in a global marketplace.

At Purdue Calumet we agree that we play this special role in the life of northwest Indiana. The diversity of our student body is reflective of the diversity of our region. Nearly one-third of our students claim African-American or Hispanic identity; more than two-thirds of our student are the first generation in their families to pursue higher education.

All of our students, whatever their majors, have the opportunity to acquire the most up-to-date knowledge and skills. We hire highly qualified faculty and staff and expect them to stay current in their areas of expertise. Through our economic development-related Centers, Institutes and Technology Incubators we transform academic research into practical knowledge that fuels new businesses.

Purdue Calumet, as a regional campus of a state university, is part of America's grand experiment to extend quality education to those who traditionally did not have access to it in the past. By doing this well, we strengthen our region and improve our prospects for a bright future.

Sincerely,

Howard Cohen
Chancellor