Experiences in Living Learning Communities: EPICS, Data Mine, and Women in Engineering

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Starting my journey as a freshman from South Florida, and not having any true connections, I wondered how I would be able to meet people on campus. However, within days of being on campus, Purdue provided me plenty of opportunities to get involved and connected with other students. One avenue that I took advantage of was through the various living learning communities, including EPICS, Data Mine, and Women in Engineering. These communities promote students to take classes with other students that reside in the same residence hall. Choosing more than one learning community allowed me to not only expand my knowledge and skills within my major, but created a sense of belonging and empowerment within me. My experience in each of these communities has been a game-changer, shaping my college adventure in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

WiE Leadership Team

Engineering Projects in Community Service

ISBVI EPICS Team (Magnifier Project)

EPICS, short for Engineering Projects in Community Service, combines technical expertise with social impact. Joining EPICS at Purdue was one of the best decisions I made as a student. Through EPICS, I've had the opportunity to work on real-world projects aimed at addressing community needs for the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I have been working on the Magnifier Project, where we are in the process of creating a device that magnifies and applies color filters to the live feed of a camera, specifically tailored to meet the needs of visually impaired individuals. Having the opportunity to get hands-on experience starting my freshman year has been very beneficial. Another positive about EPICS is that you don’t have to stop your freshman year. This allows you to be on a team with students of various ages. Upperclassmen on my team bring a lot of knowledge and experience to the table, offering invaluable guidance and mentorship. Joining EPICS also puts you on the track of taking ENGR 133 your freshman fall semester. This combines the two required engineering classes for First Year Engineering (FYE) into one. The benefit of this is that you have more room in your spring semester schedule to explore other courses of interest. For example, I am currently using that room to take an entrepreneurship class to fulfill the requirements for the certificate in entrepreneurship before I graduate. Ultimately, this learning community provides an enriching experience that extends far beyond the classroom.

Data Mine

Data Mine, another learning community offered to freshmen, introduces students to data science concepts and equips them to create solutions to real-world problems. In today's data-driven world, proficiency in data analysis is a valuable skill set sought after in various fields. Data Mine at Purdue offers a unique environment where both undergraduate and graduate students from all majors can explore and analyze data sets across different domains. The seminar is a one credit hour, project-based class where students can build their skills in programs such as R and Python. One of the best parts about the class is the emphasis on collaboration with your peers. Having a great professor who encourages students to work with one another has inspired me to not be afraid to ask for help when I need it. Through this class I have met friends who have been helpful in and out of class. The class is also very manageable, which is a nice break from the large workload as an engineering student. However, to dive deeper into Data Mine, you can apply for their Corporate Partners Program which is three credit hours on top of the seminar class. Students select a project based on their interest and for a full academic year they are provided weekly mentorship from a corporate partner mentor. In this, you get the chance to work with a team of other students with the ability to pick the task you want to work on. While I haven’t taken this route yet, I have heard many positives about taking this extra step. For example, my friend is working with The Aerospace Corporation and is getting to work on their application development while some of the other members on her team are working on visualizations and estimation filtering. Another opportunity Data Mine provides is Outside Events. This includes Zoom meetings, workshops, and even hackathons students can participate in. InnovateHer was Purdue’s first women-centered hackathon, and I was able to find out about this opportunity through Data Mine. By taking advantage of these, I learned helpful tips to prepare for the career fairs offered at Purdue and other job-related experiences. Being in Data Mine has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the power of data when making decisions. Likewise, the supportive community has encouraged me to continue to step out of my comfort zone and explore new avenues within the realm of data science.

Women in Engineering

WE Link Leadership Team

As a woman pursuing engineering, the Women in Engineering program holds a special place in my heart. Despite the strides made towards gender diversity in STEM, women still face unique challenges and barriers in these fields. Women in Engineering at Purdue serves as a beacon of support and empowerment for female students like me. Through mentorship programs, networking events, and professional development workshops, Women in Engineering has provided me with invaluable resources and a sense of belonging. One way they do this is by offering a 1 credit hour seminar where the instructor and TAs provide tips for success in Purdue Engineering. They also bring in alumni who talk about their personal and professional lives and how they got to where they are in their current stage of life. Taking this class truly encouraged me to push past struggles and keep a growth mindset as I continued through my first semester in college. There is also a program called the Mentees and Mentors Program which gets undergrad engineers together every month to network and get to know fellow engineers. Having a mentor to guide me through the ins and outs of college helped me greatly. I was able to connect with an upperclassman engineer who has been through what I am going through currently and reassure me when I started second guessing myself. Being part of this community has boosted my confidence and encouraged me to aspire for leadership roles, like joining the Women in Engineering Leadership Team.

Living Situation

These learning communities offer not just academic support but also the opportunity to live among like-minded peers. I currently live in the Meredith South Residence Hall, home to the Women in Engineering learning community. However, alternatives such as EPICS in Shreve Residence Hall or Data Mine in Hillenbrand Residence Hall are also available. Being a part of any of these communities brings numerous advantages, allowing you to connect with individuals with similar interests as you. Each residence hall also has Residential Assistants who organize floor events where you can interact with fellow dorm mates. In Meredith South, some of my favorite events have been the movie nights that the RA’s hold and the “hall events” like gingerbread house making and a Valentine’s Day gift exchange. Having these events allowed me to both decompress and meet new friends that were right in my dorm which made Indiana start to feel like my home away from home. Living in these communities can lead to lasting friendships that can add to your overall college experience and continue well beyond graduation.

Overall, my journey through EPICS, Data Mine, and Women in Engineering at Purdue has been very beneficial. These learning communities have not only enhanced my academic experience but have also shaped me into a more well-rounded individual with a passion for making a positive impact. As I continue my college journey, I am grateful for the opportunities and support provided by these communities, and I can’t wait for the many more memories I will be able to create.


Mia Ortlieb, Mechanical Engineering

We Link Leadership Team


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Purdue Women in Engineering

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