Heather Coar

Background

About Heather Coar

My current role with Purdue is as a Senior Graphic Designer for Engineering Undergraduate Programs and Strategic Initiatives. This role will help to advance awareness, affinity, and demand for Purdue Engineering through visual communications media excellence and expertise across the Purdue portfolio of cross-cutting programs in the Office of Undergraduate Education: including EPICS, VIP, OPP, EHP, and Engineering academic programs in Purdue Indianapolis.A proud Boilermaker since January 2012, my first role with the College of Engineering at Purdue was as a Communications Specialist for the School of Mechanical Engineering (2012-2014). From March 2014-October 2023, I was the Assistant Director of Communications for the Women in Engineering Program and the Minority Engineering Program. My other passion is teaching with the Brian Lamb School of Communication when my schedule allows. I have taught COM 495, Special Topics in Public Relations, and COM 353, Problems in Public Relations. I was awarded the College of Engineering New Employee Staff Award in 2012, was an Inaugural PRIME Grant Award Recipient in 2019, and in 2022 received an ADDY for my graphic design work with the Women in Engineering Program.In 2006, I received my B.A. in Advertising, Public Relations, and Graphic Design from Grand Valley State University and my M.S. in Communications from Grand Valley in 2009. In June 2020, I completed a Women's Leadership Certificate Program at Cornell University (online.) My research area/areas of expertise are graphic design, web design, communication, and intercultural communication.I am a Southwest Michigan native, of Swedish heritage, and I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and spoiling my pet bunny Scrumpy.