My Learning Communities (WiE and EPICS)

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With the Learning Community priority deadline approaching on April 15th, here is more information about some of them!

As a current freshman, I was nervous to come to Purdue because I did not know anyone else here and was nervous for the transition from high school to college. However, I easily became familiar with the campus, made meaningful friends, and found Purdue as my home away from home. This is because of the two Learning Communities (LC) I am in: Women in Engineering (WiE) and Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS).


Women in Engineering (WiE) Learning Community:

The WiE LC is just one of many different ways to be involved in the WiE Program! Some LC's are optional to live in a specified residence hall, but the WiE LC requires that you live in the specified residence hall. If you choose not to join the WiE LC, there are still many other ways to get involved in the WiE Program. Or if you are in a LC that does not require to live in a specific dorm, you still are given many opportunities to get very involved and find your community.

The Women in Engineering Program has helped me grow my community greatly, through going to the monthly meetings where I networked with all levels of women engineers, taking the suggested ENGR 194 course where I learned and connected with Purdue alumni, and living in the same residence hall as many of my friends and classmates. The WiE LC provides many opportunities to grow in your community by hosting various social and academic events. A huge and fun event are some free day trips to Chicago, the Air Force Museum, or Exploration Acres. This LC has helped me not only gain friends quickly, but also has helped me academically where we are provided with events to learn more about the different majors to pursue and hear from current students in those majors, helping me become certain which major I want to continue in. In WiE, there is also an extra program within called the Mentor and Mentee's (M&M) Program where you can sign up to have a 1:1 mentor in the major you prefer. I love the M&M program because I am able to learn so much about which classes I want to take, more about my intended major, and specific questions I have with a current student who has gone through what I have. There is also free WiE tutoring for freshman specifically in the first year engineering classes that have helped me with getting used to the academic rigor of college. The WiE LC has truly given me a sense of community and certainty in my choice of Purdue. 


Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Learning Community:

The EPICS LC consists of a project-based class and an accelerated engineering course. Being in EPICS, you will take ENGR 133, where you learn multiple engineering skills in the fall semester. You also will be in EPICS 111 for fall semester and EPICS 121 for spring semester for the project-based class. There are many EPICS teams you can join, such as Aero and Astro Engineering Education (AAEE), Medical Design Projects (MED), Urban Farm (UF), and more! In these teams, there are multiple projects you can choose to join within the teams. These are student led projects where we identify a problem in our community, brainstorm solutions, prototype the project, finalize the design, and deliver our project to our community partners. I currently am in the Biomedical Engineering team, and there are four projects in it. I am working on the Feeding Tube project, and the other three projects are Aesthetic ​Myoelectric Prosthetic, Smart Spacer, and Oxygen. You can be in the EPICS project class at any year from freshman to master's students and join different teams for different semesters or stay in the same team throughout your time. In fall semester, I was in the Camp Riley team, where I worked on a Sensory Trail, and the other projects were Sound Mapping, Mailboxes, and High Five Machines. There are an amazing amount of opportunities from this learning community, not only the class, but also in outside of class workshops to grow your skills in miscellaneous things such as 3D printing, woodworking, or time management. In EPICS, I have loved being on a hands-on project, helping the community, and gaining experience of what real world projects are like in the workforce.


You can apply today! 

If you are looking for an exciting and fun community to immerse yourself in, the learning communities are the way to go! There are other engineering Learning Communities as well other than the two I am in, such as Bands and Orchestras, Global Engineering, and more. Here is a link with more information with summaries of the LC, any requirements, and suggestions: Engineering Learning Communities 

Priority Deadline: April 15th, 2025

If you apply by the priority deadline, you should be notified of your placement status through your Purdue email by the second week of May.

Last day to apply: June 27, 2025

Make sure you have accepted your admission and have signed your housing contract. Check the website to ensure you have followed all of the steps. Boiler Up!


Haley Self, First Year Engineering '28 

WE Link Leadership Team

 

Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program! 

Facebook: Purdue Women in Engineering 

Instagram: @purdue.wie 

Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com 

Email: welink@purdue.edu 

YouTube: Purdue Women in Engineering Program - YouTube 

 

 

Use the hashtag #PurdueWiE on Facebook and Instagram! 

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