Observe. Innovate. Execute.

Dr. Porsche Chisley is a native of Indianapolis and currently resides in Hamilton County. She leads Chisley Consulting Group, a firm focused on supporting education and nonprofit organizations with their strategy, systems, and leadership improvement efforts. 

Throughout the MDLF fellowship experience, one recurring theme has been the ability of our speakers to identify challenges, envision solutions, and take decisive action to improve the lives of Hoosiers. The time we spent together in November was yet another powerful example of this approach. Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS) stands as a testament to this cycle of observation, innovation, and execution.

In 2014, a striking gap in academic preparedness came to light. Of the 48,000 Hoosier students who took the SAT, only 101 African American students and 156 Latino students had scores and GPAs that matched the average of Purdue University's incoming class. Even more concerning, only 7 African American students and 16 Latino students had SAT scores and GPAs that would place them in the top 15 percent of Purdue freshmen, making them competitive candidates for admission. This issue was not just a number; it was a glaring sign of a larger systemic problem. According to the Indiana Department of Education, SAT scores in 2012 for students in Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) were significantly below national averages, a trend that predicted lower college success rates. The challenge was clear: many Indiana students, particularly from underrepresented communities, were simply unprepared for the academic demands of one of the state's most prestigious universities.

While patience is often considered a virtue, Mitch Daniels, then-President of Purdue University, viewed impatience as a catalyst for change. He recognized that waiting for the traditional K-12 system to address these disparities would take too long. In his words:

“If we were to wait on the K-12 system to produce the numbers of first-generation, lower-income, and minoritized students that we are seeking to educate and prepare for better lives, we would wait forever. Too many young Hoosiers miss out on college either because of its cost or simply a disbelief that they can succeed there. Our Purdue-sponsored high schools are our attempt to open a new pathway to Purdue.” – Mitch Daniels, 2015

In response, Daniels and Gary Bertoline, then-Dean of the Purdue University Polytechnic Institute, took bold action. They conceived the idea of a STEM-focused high school designed to better prepare minority and underrepresented students from Indianapolis for success at Purdue University and in STEM careers.

Today, under the leadership of Dr. Keeanna Warren, a Class VI MDLF Fellow, PPHS continues to advance this mission. The school offers a distinctive educational experience, rooted in an immersive, project-based learning model. Students engage with real-world challenges through the Engineering Design Process, developing practical skills while also learning how to think critically and creatively. The model emphasizes not only academic rigor but also holistic student support: each student is paired with a caring adult, and trauma-informed, restorative practices are woven into the school culture to ensure students feel valued and supported. You can feel this energy while walking the hallways, holding lizards in their science classes, or speaking to students about why they chose PPHS for their high school experience. 

What stands out to me most during this fellowship and was confirmed for me during our time at PPHS is a simple yet profound truth: you don’t need everything to be perfect to begin. The key is noticing a challenge, finding a way to improve it by listening intently to the needs of stakeholders, and then taking action. By doing so, even small efforts can create ripples of positive change in our communities, improving the lives of those around us. And in doing so, we help shape a future where Indiana is a place where we all want to live, work, and raise the next generation of passionate Hoosiers.

Class VII Fellows at Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood