Student Life
With over 80 student organizations, intramural sports and an inclusive and welcoming campus community, PNW students have plenty of ways to get involved, make new friends and create lasting college memories.
The Pride at Play
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
From Spanish Club to our car-building Society of Automotive Engineers groups to student government, there are organizations for every passion and interest at PNW. Join a professional society, volunteer in the community or even learn how to play a new sport.
Belonging at PNW
At PNW, you will find space to be your truest self. We offer a supportive community where you can express your individuality and thrive.
You’ll have the space to be authentic and genuine, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities.
From intramurals to fitness centers, PNW provides a range of opportunities for students to meet friends, have fun and make progress.
Paws Up, Roar Pride! Purdue Northwest competes in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). We have 19 varsity sports, including softball, baseball, basketball, tennis, cross country, track & field, golf, soccer, volleyball, ice hockey (ACHA) and Esports.
Students in PNW's Baja SAE Collegiate Design Competition design, build, test, promote, and race an off-road vehicle in a competition with hundreds of schools across the country.
At PNW's Welcome Weeks, students enjoy free food, fun and giveaways on both the Hammond and Westville campuses.
From board-game showdowns to rec-league volleyball, PNW has fun offerings for every interest.
PNW's vibrant campus culture includes student plays and musicals, including 2019's "Beauty and the Beast."
Students get fired up for PNW basketball season every year with Late Night Madness! The fun, free event gathers students for food, contests and giveaways.
The Boots and Bridles Club is a fun place for those who wish to learn about different aspects of the equine industry. Students can compete on teams in two disciplines, Western and English, with levels ranging from beginner to open/advance.
Bubble soccer at the Fitness and Recreation Center is a low-stress intramural option.
Jump right in—don’t be shy about all the fun, educational activities on campus. Take advantage of all the resources PNW has to offer.
Being involved on campus has plenty to offer and is a way to form many great relationships to take with you long past graduation.
If there’s something you want to get involved in, such as research, an internship or job, don’t be afraid to reach out. Make those connections and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.
I loved how involved the campus is and the people. I’ve made connections with my classmates, professors and faculty.
I thoroughly enjoyed the people of PNW. Just getting to meet and connect with people and learn about everyone’s different backgrounds and experiences.
The diversity of the student body, the great faculty and the smaller class sizes are a few of the great things about this university. The faculty are more than willing to help you succeed and the smaller class sizes make it much easier to make connections.
Being a first-generation college student sometimes you need people around you who actually understand what you’re going through—those were my people and if not for them, I cannot guarantee that I would have made it through college.
I love the inclusivity, the environment, and I feel like I truly belong at PNW. PNW is everything I could ask for and possibly more.
Picture Yourself at Purdue Northwest
College is more than lectures and book study. It’s about discovering who you are and what you’re good at doing. At Purdue University Northwest, you will earn a quality degree while gaining real-world experience that prepares you for lifelong success.
Have questions about student life at PNW? Contact our office!
Upcoming Events
Mar 25
Women’s Leadership Luncheon 2025The Women’s Leadership Luncheon recognizes examples of leadership among PNW women and celebrates the careers of our student leaders.
Mar 26
Third Annual Women’s Art ExhibitionCelebrate local women artists’ creativity, resilience and perspectives at the Third Annual Women’s Art Exhibition.
Mar 27
The Personal is Political: How the Combahee River Collective Changed Feminist ThoughtHear from a roundtable of PNW faculty and staff on how the Combahee River Collective’s legacy still impacts feminists.
Life @ PNW
Hope You’re Hungry
We have pizza, burgers, salads, soups, sandwiches, and, of course, coffee. Explore dining options on both campuses.
Stay Healthy
Both PNW campuses have state-of-the-art fitness and recreation centers, with many ways to keep your body — and mind — in shape.
Part of the Pride
From Late-Night Madness to Roaring Loud, PNW campus traditions bring our community together all year long.