2020 BOP Update

The Social (Distant) Network

For the first time in the history of the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program (BOP), the BOP Summer Session ran completely online for students in the 53^rd cohort. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 29 members of BOP ’20 attended class and participated in summer events via Zoom from the comfort and safety of their own home. Fortunately, at least half the class were able to physically meet at three outdoor gatherings in Indianapolis, West Lafayette, and Munster, IN. Although the virtual BOP experience helped students acclimate to Krannert, students are still adjusting to recent campus changes implemented for student safety. Historical favorites such as tailgating, attending Purdue sporting events, and playing basketball at the CoRec are now prohibited. Students must make a reservation to visit the CoRec for a maximum of 80 minutes. Since late October, students have a maximum of 15 minutes each time they eat in the dining court. Additionally, students do not see each other frequently due to an increase in online and hybrid courses, as well as a decrease in student organization in-person activity. Because of the above, BOP students are making a concerted effort to improve student life in the spring semester. As the Society of Minority Managers (SMM) President Sophia Aguirre (BOP ’18) stated in the video above, she will do all she can to ensure graduating seniors have as much of a normal, last semester of college as possible. With over 80% of BOP juniors and seniors already landing internships and full-time employment for the upcoming summer, the focus for the upcoming semester will not be on professional development but rather increasing the morale of students on campus. 

Wonder Women

Meet four extraordinary women from BOP in leadership roles across campus in 2020. For years, BOP impacted far more students than just those in the program, students in Krannert, or only minority students at Purdue. Collectively, these four women touch every undergraduate demographic on campus and continue to improve student life for Boilermakers in the most professional manner. Thank you for your leadership!

Sophia Aguirre President - Society of Minority Managers (SMM) Hometown: Griffith, IN Major: Accounting 2020 Internship: KPMG (Chicago)	Assata Gilmore President - Purdue Student Government (PSG) Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Finance Full-time Job: KPMG (Chicago)	Lumari Perez President - Latinx Student Union (LSU) Hometown: New Braunfels, TX Major: Finance Full-time Job: Crowe (Los Angeles)	Alicia Verde President - Consult Your Community (CYC) Hometown: Fishers, IN Major: Data Analytics/MIS Full-time Job: KPMG (Chicago)

Deep Impact

Reviewing graduation rates, placement statistics, and starting salaries help evaluate the effectiveness and impact of any student program. One metric that is often overlooked is the percentage of BOP students graduating with Krannert degrees. The figure below shows the percentage of students who graduated with a degree in their initial academic unit, compared to BOP students who graduated with Krannert degrees. Current 5-year graduation data for the incoming class of 2015 reveals an underrepresented minority student entering Krannert in 2015 increased her chances of graduating with a Krannert degree by over 35% if she participated in the BOP Summer Session. 

Thank You!

Thank you to the following executive speakers in 2020:

On behalf of current students in the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program, thank you for your support in 2020! Have a happy, healthy, and warm holiday season!