John Martinson Honors College

We are a community of highly motivated learners, committed to a pursuit of knowledge across all disciplines.

About the John Martinson Honors College

At the John Martinson Honors College, located in West Lafayette and Indianapolis, we challenge and empower students to contribute to society in meaningful ways and excel in their careers. We are an interdisciplinary community where highly motivated students build strong relationships, develop multiple dimensions of themselves, and collaborate to innovate for a better world.

We accomplish this mission across our four pillars:

  • Interdisciplinary Academics: Students take honors classes (within the Honors College and their majors) that hone their ability to think more expansively about their major in concert with others to respond to local and global problems.
  • Research and Creative Endeavors: Students engage in academic work that addresses gaps in existing knowledge. This is achieved through credit-bearing and non-credit bearing experiences, including research-based courses and faculty-guided research and creative projects.
  • Global and Community Engagement: Through our place-based courses, virtual exchanges, study away programs, and community engagement activities, students hone their critical thinking skills about local and global communities.
  • Leadership: Students learn how to lead impactful teams and communities with integrity. This is achieved through co-curricular experiences, including leadership courses and faculty-guided leadership projects.

 

MEET THE DEAN

Dr. Felisa Higgins

Dr. Felisa Higgins earned her Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Purdue, a master’s in industrial engineering from Florida State University and a bachelor’s in industrial engineering from Florida A&M University.

A globally engaged scholar and expert in supply chain management, she brings to Purdue years of experience and impact spanning both academia and industry, including a long stint with consumer products company Kimberly-Clark and its Latin American Operations. Her excellence in teaching has also been amply recognized through multiple Penn State awards, such as the George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Smeal College's Fred Brand Jr. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

Follow Us on Social Media

As a celebrated member of @boilerfootball’s #CradleofQuarterbacks, @drewbrees says his time at Purdue set him up for success. He learned how to overcome adversity and be an effective teammate — lessons he still carries with him today. 🏈 🚂 

Listen/watch for more of his insights at the 🔗 in @lifeatpurdue’s bio.
If you’ve ever attended a @boilerball game at Mackey Arena, you’ve probably seen fans do the famous “Lance Dance” or “Sandstorm” dance, named after former shooting guard @lancejones_5. 🏀 🕺 

On the latest episode of #ThisIsPurdue, special guest @drewbrees shares his dream of participating in this fun Purdue tradition during a rapid 🔥 Q&A! 

Listen to Drew’s episode at the 🔗 in bio.
Purdue is the No. 1 most recognized public university in the U.S. — for the third year in a row — in the 2026 @americancaldwell rankings! 

This superior visibility points to our: 

🚂 Institutional reputation 
💡 Life-changing research 
🎓 Strong student outcomes 

Learn more about Purdue’s lasting brand impact at the 🔗 in our bio.
Nowhere else we’d rather be 🥹
@drewbrees is now the proud owner of the iconic gold jacket that comes along with a @profootballhof induction! 🎉 🏈 

On #ThisIsPurdue, he explains what receiving this honor meant to him and what it was like finding out about his selection from fellow @nfl legend Dan Fouts. 

Listen to/watch his full episode at the 🔗 in bio.
Sending our congrats to #Boilermaker alumnus @drewbrees, who will be inducted into the @profootballhof this weekend! 🏈 🔥 

On the newest episode of #ThisIsPurdue, we’ll sit down with the @nfl legend to chat about his pivotal career with @boilerfootball, record-breaking tenure with the @saints, and life after football. You don't want to miss this! 

Listen today at lifeatpurdue's 🔗 in bio.
As a celebrated member of @boilerfootball’s #CradleofQuarterbacks, @drewbrees says his time at Purdue set him up for success. He learned how to overcome adversity and be an effective teammate — lessons he still carries with him today. 🏈 🚂 

Listen/watch for more of his insights at the 🔗 in @lifeatpurdue’s bio.
If you’ve ever attended a @boilerball game at Mackey Arena, you’ve probably seen fans do the famous “Lance Dance” or “Sandstorm” dance, named after former shooting guard @lancejones_5. 🏀 🕺 

On the latest episode of #ThisIsPurdue, special guest @drewbrees shares his dream of participating in this fun Purdue tradition during a rapid 🔥 Q&A! 

Listen to Drew’s episode at the 🔗 in bio.
Purdue is the No. 1 most recognized public university in the U.S. — for the third year in a row — in the 2026 @americancaldwell rankings! 

This superior visibility points to our: 

🚂 Institutional reputation 
💡 Life-changing research 
🎓 Strong student outcomes 

Learn more about Purdue’s lasting brand impact at the 🔗 in our bio.
Nowhere else we’d rather be 🥹
@drewbrees is now the proud owner of the iconic gold jacket that comes along with a @profootballhof induction! 🎉 🏈 

On #ThisIsPurdue, he explains what receiving this honor meant to him and what it was like finding out about his selection from fellow @nfl legend Dan Fouts. 

Listen to/watch his full episode at the 🔗 in bio.
Sending our congrats to #Boilermaker alumnus @drewbrees, who will be inducted into the @profootballhof this weekend! 🏈 🔥 

On the newest episode of #ThisIsPurdue, we’ll sit down with the @nfl legend to chat about his pivotal career with @boilerfootball, record-breaking tenure with the @saints, and life after football. You don't want to miss this! 

Listen today at lifeatpurdue's 🔗 in bio.