January 12, 2026
Dear Colleagues:
I send this message to inform you that I have selected Dr. Judith Lewandowski to serve as the special advisor to the president for purpose exploration.
Judy has an extensive record of teaching, research, and academic administration. Currently, she serves as the vice provost of adult teaching and learning at Purdue University Global. In that role, she has guided more than 100 faculty and staff who are responsible for curriculum design and professional development. In that capacity, she also led the development of the institution’s policy regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence.
Prior to her service at Purdue Global, Judy served as the director of learning design and curriculum at the University of Notre Dame. In that role, she led the development of interdisciplinary programs that integrated values-based design principles into both teaching and faculty development.
Judy impressed me and the members of the search committee with her experience and her vision for infusing reflective practices and ethical leadership into curricular and co-curricular programs for purpose exploration. She also impressed us with her passion for this innovative initiative.
As a Hoosier native, Judy was raised and educated in Indiana. She has three degrees from Purdue University – a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, and a master’s degree and a doctorate in learning design and technology.
Judy will join us on February 9, 2026.
