Dr. Vicky Keramida Delivers Leadership Lecture at Purdue University

Dr. Vicky Keramida with members of the Engineers Without Borders USA Purdue Chapter at Purdue’s EPICS program following her October 22 Leadership Lecture.

A conversation on leadership with the next generation of engineers.

The engineers who will solve tomorrow’s water, infrastructure, and environmental challenges are in classrooms right now. On October 22, Dr. Vicky Keramida returned to her alma mater, Purdue University, to help prepare them.

At the invitation of the Engineers Without Borders USA Purdue Chapter (EWB-Purdue), Dr. Keramida delivered a Leadership Lecture to chapter members and students. Her talk focused on what it means to be a leader, the qualities that make a good one, and how to overcome hurdles and make tough decisions.

When a student asked what she looks for in the next generation of leaders, Dr. Keramida said, “A leader or young person who has the potential for leadership will say, ‘I see this problem and I want to suggest these solutions and I want to volunteer to do it.’”

She also spoke about the role purpose plays in leadership. “I think it’s very important for all of us to live a life where there is meaning and purpose behind it, we are going to be happier people and better leaders,” she said.

EWB-Purdue is a student chapter of Engineers Without Borders USA, an organization that partners with communities around the world to provide engineering solutions that address basic human needs. The chapter is also a team within Purdue’s EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) program, a service-learning design program where students earn class credit for their project work. Through these sustainable engineering projects, members gain hands-on experience and develop as leaders.

KERAMIDA is proud to sponsor EWB-Purdue and its work. We thank the chapter for the invitation and for the thoughtful conversation.