2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

1. Mrs. Melissa Renee Casner http://orcid.org/0009-0006-7512-0260 Purdue University at West Lafayette (PPI) [biography]

   Melissa Casner, a 1996 graduate of the computer and information technology program, is a dedicated mentor who helps attract and retain female students by providing relatable guidance. She fosters connections with professors, peers, and potential employers, creating a united campus community. Over the past year, Melissa has participated in high school recruitment and community outreach. Her passion for mentoring is evident through her informal guidance, with plans to establish formal mentorships for ample student support. She sponsors cross-campus teams in the Data4Good competition, ensuring strong female representation, and addresses networking challenges by educating women about opportunities and encouraging campus involvement.

   Melissa, an assistant professor of practice at Purdue Polytechnic, supports multiple campuses and fosters a unified community. She mentored students who developed an innovative safety software system for university labs, the focus will be to replace SDS hardcopy books with a user-friendly app. Her versatility in teaching online, in-person, and hybrid classes ensures high-quality education for diverse learning styles. By seamlessly transitioning between teaching modalities, she maintains continuity in education and fosters a dynamic learning experience, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.

   Melissa's dedication to the academic community is demonstrated through her active participation in various committees, including the Technology PhD Infosec Graduate Student Committee and the Polytechnic Faculty Senate Committee. She also contributed to the Readmission and Academic Renewal Committee, the PPI Alumni Awards committee, and the Industry Advisor Council. Her involvement underscores her commitment to supporting students and enhancing the university's environment.

   Additionally, Melissa played a pivotal role in organizing events with the local Purdue alumni club, fostering connections among alumni from diverse fields. She inspires students to lead initiatives and provides unwavering support, hosting gatherings to ensure students feel a sense of belonging within the Purdue family. Her efforts extend beyond the classroom, actively connecting students across campuses and fostering collaboration. She is currently enrolled in Indiana State University's Instructional Leadership (PhD) Online graduate program.

2. Dr. Nancy L Lollar Purdue University University at West Lafayette (PPI) [biography]

   Nancy L. Lollar is an accomplished organizational leader, researcher, and educator with over two decades of experience in strategic leadership, supply chain management, and higher education. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a focus on Organizational Management from Oakland City University, where she conducted research on collaborative advising processes to enhance student success in community colleges.

   Dr. Lollar has served in various leadership roles, including her tenure as Campus Director at Purdue Polytechnic Institute Columbus, where she fosters industry-academic partnerships and drives initiatives to expand educational access. She is actively engaged in research projects such as Building Rural Community Systems: Education to Employment Partnerships and Expanding Access to Economic Opportunities through Educational Success, collaborating with organizations like CivicLab and the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.

   Beyond academia, Dr. Lollar is a dedicated community leader, serving on boards such as the Greater Columbus Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Columbus Propeller Makerspace. She is a lifelong advocate for workforce development, innovation, and continuous learning.

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