Jordan grew up in Louisiana and Georgia. Like many future engineers, he enjoyed tearing things apart to see how they worked. But he also enjoyed learning math in the classroom. “That’s what drew me to Mechanical Engineering,” says Jordan. “It’s the combination of theoretical knowledge with practical hands-on experience.”

When the time came to choose a university, Jordan deliberated between the two largest undergraduate ME programs in the country: the in-state Georgia Tech, or the midwestern cornfields of Purdue. “I could have gotten a good education at either one,” he remembers, “but when I visited Purdue, it just felt like home. Everyone was so friendly, and I just loved the atmosphere they had. It felt like a place where I could be myself for four years.”

What sealed the deal? A tour given by students. “When I visited Purdue, I had a very good tour,” says Jordan. “They showed how engineering can be really fun and exciting. I thought, I want to do the same thing for others. And that’s why I joined PMEA.”

Purdue Mechanical Engineering Ambassadors (PMEA) is an undergraduate student group that represents Purdue ME at conferences and events. They also tour prospective students and their families through the ME Building and answer questions that they may have. Jordan embraced this role almost immediately. “The coolest thing about giving tours is meeting people who had the same questions that I had,” he says. “I like to help people, and I love talking about Purdue. Just by cracking jokes with people and getting to know them, I can make it memorable, and help them learn what mechanical engineering is all about.”

Another way Jordan helps new students learn is through a 1-credit class: ME 199 How Stuff Works. Run by PMEA, it’s a chance for freshmen students (who are still getting their feet wet in engineering) to learn not just the basics of machines, but how they will learn about it through Purdue’s engineering curriculum. “For example, this past week we took apart a power drill,” says Jordan. “So we’ll show them a torque converter, describe how it functions, and then talk about how it will pop up in specific classes.”

Outside the classroom, Jordan finds plenty of ways to stay busy. He’s a co-captain of Purdue’s Club Lacrosse team, and also serves as their chief recruiter. “I’ve been playing lacrosse since high school, and I just love it how competitive and physical it is,” he says. “We may be a club team, but we practice just as hard as any athletic program, and we’ve formed a very strong brotherhood. It’s also taught me time management, because I have to work hard to integrate the team with my studies in engineering! This spring we hope to play some big schools, like Vanderbilt and Auburn, so I’m looking forward to that.”

He also makes music, posting songs on Spotify under the name Common J. “I played the trombone in marching band since the 6th grade,” he says, “so I knew all the theory and stuff. But I also really love hip hop and lo-fi instrumental music. So I realized, if I like it, why don’t I just make my own music! There’s even a Purdue Music Producers club here on campus.”

Purdue has also helped Jordan form a robust professional network, helping him get internships at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis). “It’s a very strong community,” he says. “For example, I’m active in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and they are very welcoming. They taught me a lot about how to grow as an engineer, and how to present myself professionally. I’ve felt very supported during my time at Purdue.”

He was so excited about getting a full-time job offer that he filmed a “decision day” video, in the style of prospective college athletes who don a baseball cap to announce their future destination. But instead of an athletic program, Jordan announced he was “taking his talents to Cincinnati” to work as an engineer with Procter & Gamble.

“I learned a lot about how to learn at Purdue,” says Jordan. “There are things I didn’t even know I needed to know about! I want to design something innovative, something fresh, something new. That’s really what excites me. I like the chance to use my mechanical engineering degree to take my ideas and be creative, to find solutions to problems.”

Writer: Jared Pike, jaredpike@purdue.edu, 765-496-0374

Video: Anthony Harsch, harsch@purdue.edu