Spring Start expands opportunities for Purdue University agriculture students

The newly launched Purdue University’s College of Agriculture Spring Start (CASS) program will enable an additional group of first-year students to begin their studies at the university in the spring semester. These students will be eligible for scholarships and financial aid and on-campus housing. Spring Start will also actively support these students in their academic planning as well as provide special programming for them ahead of their arrival on campus.

Purdue is Indiana’s only public four-year institution of higher education offering degrees in agriculture. “This program will help us expand the college’s student numbers as well as make critical contributions to the state’s economy by meeting the strong demand for graduates in academic majors that prepare them for careers in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment,” says Bernie Engel, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture.

“Indiana is home to many leading employers in the agricultural sectors,” Engel notes. “Industry is hungry for graduates who can contribute to our agribusiness and ag science industries here.”

University and college officials expect the majority of CASS students will be from Indiana.

“We’re very interested in giving our Indiana residents greater opportunity to earn a degree from Purdue University,” says Christine Wilson, senior associate dean and director of academic programs in the College of Agriculture. “They will be receiving a degree from the number three college of agriculture in North America.”

The first cohort of Spring Start students will receive their admission offer in February 2024, and we will welcome them to campus in January 2025.

CASS students will meet with their academic advisor in summer 2024 to discuss their off-campus plan for the fall 2024 semester. “We envision that they could take a couple of courses from a two-year or online institution and potentially work full or part-time,” Wilson says.

The CASS program will be distinctive in its level of programmatic support. A program manager will host in-person and virtual activities in the fall semester for students to meet each other and begin to build relationships, connect with faculty and staff, and experience campus life. CASS students will also be invited to participate in Boiler Cold Rush, a university wide orientation for students starting their Purdue career in the spring.

Featured Stories

Inventing a lower-sugar cookie that’s still a treat

Every job has its perks. For Lisa Mauer, “cookie baking trials” is one of hers. ...

Halee Fisher infant of the White House in her cap and gown.

Purdue alumna Halee Fisher grows a career at the USDA

Purdue University alumna Halee Fisher, who earned degrees in Agricultural Economics and Political...

Purdue research scientist Bilal Ahmed examines a microfluidic paper-based biosensor cartridge under light to display the visible results of an assay for genetically modified crop traits.

Novel biosensor detects genetically modified corn and soybean

The continually expanding toolkit from Mohit Verma’s laboratory at Purdue University now...

Purdue Animal Sciences welcomes Assistant Professor Jinsu Hong

Purdue ANSC welcomes Jinsu Hong, Ph.D., as assistant professor.

Graduate students standing in front of a tractor while working on a laptop.

Purdue students launch inaugural SyDAg and Hackathon Weekend

A dynamic team of student leaders from diverse agricultural fields, under the leadership of the...

Tam Tran holds a snake; Tam holds a goose; Tam holds a fish.

FNR Field Report: Tam Tran

Tam Tran, a senior majoring in wildlife and minoring in aquatic sciences, spent the summer as a...