Directory

Dr. Christine Wilson earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from Kansas State University studying Agricultural Economics, and has since gained a national reputation for her commitment to students, teaching and advising. Dr. Wilson’s teaching career has included classes in agricultural finance, agribusiness risk management, small business operations, marketing, policy analysis and more. She began as Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs for Purdue Agriculture in February 2020, and was promoted to Senior Associate Dean in 2023, when she took on the initiative of growing and promoting Ag Online programs. Responsible for undergraduate academic programs, Dr. Wilson enjoys the challenge of collaborating with faculty, staff, and leaders among the college, university, and student population to work towards the common goal of affording students the resources and opportunities they need to be successful in Purdue Agriculture and beyond.

When Dr. Wilson is away from the office, she can typically be found in her West Lafayette home in the company of her dogs or taking a road trip to the Kansas City area to visit friends and family.

Education: B.S.E Calvin University, M.S.E. University of MI-Ann Arbor, Ph.D. University of WI-Madison.

John promotes excellence in teaching and mentoring through the support and leadership of college level and national level teaching related awards programs, offering workshops and support for teacher development, support of the role of teaching in promotion and tenure, and involvement on university level committees. He teaches capstone courses in ABE department and leads multiple international experiences for students.

When John isn’t at work you can probably find him on the pickleball courts, up in the air flying his plane or paramotor, or taking pictures.

Hope Heathcote earned her B.A. in 2015 from Purdue University, where she studied professional writing. She came to Purdue Agriculture in 2018 where she discovered a newfound passion working “behind the scenes” in higher education, offering her creative and strategic planning skills to execute ideas and solutions whenever they are needed. Prior to her role at Purdue, she worked in a small, successful family business for several years.

A Lafayette native, Hope can often be seen enjoying local music and arts festivals when she’s not at home with her cat, Pickles and dog, Peach. She enjoys performing music, sewing, and relishing her husband's exceptional cooking. 

Education: Ph.D. Indiana University; M.A. Bowling Green State University; B.S. Ball State University

Alyssa Powers had worked in higher education for over a decade before coming to the Office of Academic Programs in 2021. In her current role, Alyssa enjoys helping students from all majors in the College of Agriculture achieve academic success. She also advises pre-veterinary medicine students who have not yet selected a major. Alyssa has conducted research on developing a successful college student identity as a first-generation college student as well as student mental health. Previously, she was an environmental education promoter on the east coast, west coast, and in Central America (through the Peace Corps). One piece of advice she gives students is, "Don’t be afraid to ask for help—there are a lot of people here to support you!"

Education: B.S. Miami University (Ohio); M.S. Purdue University

Charlotte is the scholarship and career services coordinator in the College of Agriculture. She earned her B.S. from Miami University and M.S. from the Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) Department at Purdue. Prior to joining the Office of Academic Programs, Charlotte was the Alumni, Scholarship, Awards, and Student Career Specialist in FNR. In her current role, she coordinates scholarships and student grants and serves as a leader for career education and opportunities for undergraduate students. In her free time, you can find her spending time with her family, playing board games, reading, or crafting.

Jannet McCutchan joined the Office of Academic Programs in the fall of 2022 as the Senior Administrative Assistant for Career Services, Scholarships, and Program Data. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Purdue University studying Wildlife. She has held administrative positions in the local animal welfare industry where she grew her organizational and project management skills. She is excited to apply her knowledge to support students as they develop their academic and professional careers. In her free time Jannet enjoys creating art, exploring nature, and spending time with her family and small zoo of pets.

Education: B.S. University of Wisconsin-River Falls; M.S.Ed. University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse

Elizabeth works with undergraduate students in achieving their professional and personal dreams by participating in programs revolving around academic excellence, leadership, issues engagement, and undergraduate research. Additionally, she coordinates the Dean’s Scholars program for the College and she serves as the co-advisor of the Ag Council. She encourages students to try something new and to not be scared to fail. Sometimes the biggest growth happens when you don’t succeed at first.

When Elizabeth isn’t at work you can find her hanging out with her Brown Swiss dairy cows or two cats. She loves to travel to new places, run, play board games, eat queso, and chill around a bonfire. 

Andrea began at Purdue University in 2019, and soon joined the College of Agriculture in 2021 as the Assistant Director for Undergraduate Recruitment. In her current role, Andrea assists and collaborates with college leadership and departments in developing and implementing student recruitment communication, events and programs. She enjoys serving prospective students and their families through the academic major and college decision-making process. In her free time, you’ll find her trying a new recipe, coaching basketball, or spending time with her husband, family, and friends on the Ohio River.

Andrea earned a B.S. in management and M.Ed. in teaching and learning at Indiana State University.

Rusty Nelson has been in his current position since 2017, specializing in serving students who transfer (or are planning to transfer) to Purdue Agriculture from other colleges/universities. In his current position, he coordinates the Pathway to Purdue Agriculture Program, helps with transfer credit evaluation questions, supports incoming transfer students with the transition to Purdue, and is an advocate for all transfer students in the College of Agriculture. He is originally from Lafayette, is a Purdue graduate (B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Education), has 3 children, and his wife is an elementary school teacher. He enjoys exercising outdoors, watching Purdue sports, and spending time with family.

Scott Haan has served as Lead Administrative Assistant for Recruitment and Outreach in the Office of Academic Programs since 2018. He works with departments and the Ag Ambassador team to arrange campus visits for prospective students who are interested in the College of Ag, as well as assisting with other recruitment events and efforts throughout the year. He and his wife both graduated from Purdue as undergrads and are now Purdue employees. Scott’s hobbies include theatre, playwriting (he is the author of 30+ published plays), comics and movies (especially Marvel), and spending time with his wife and children.