Double Major, Triple Threat
04-18-2025
For Caroline Jordan, balancing rigorous academics and year-round athletics isn’t just a challenge—it’s a way of life. The Purdue University undergraduate has earned her fourth Academic All-Big Ten distinction, a prestigious recognition awarded to student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and on the field. Jordan, a senior double majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (EEEB) and History, with a minor in Chemistry, exemplifies the Boilermaker commitment to excellence across disciplines.
As a member of Purdue’s cross country and track and field teams for the past five years, Jordan’s collegiate career has been shaped by relentless drive, a passion for environmental stewardship, and a dedication to academic growth.
“It’s definitely a delicate balance, and it requires a lot of hard work and planning,” Jordan said. “But if you put in the time and effort, you can make it all work.”
Academic Excellence in the Sciences and Humanities
Jordan’s academic path is anything but ordinary. As an EEEB major in the Department of Biological Sciences, she’s deeply interested in conservation and environmental protection. Her studies are not confined to the natural sciences alone—she is also pursuing a degree in History, driven by a desire to understand the broader societal and cultural contexts that shape environmental policy.
“I’m most interested in the conservation side of biology—things like environmental protection, possibly working for the EPA or a local conservation organization,” she said.
In addition to her double major, Jordan is completing a minor in Chemistry, a field she’s found especially rewarding through her hands-on work experience. She currently works as a lab assistant in the formulation department at the Office of the Indiana State Chemist.
“The job really connects with what I’m learning,” she explained. “I took analytical chemistry last semester, and it helped me understand the lab instruments and procedures at work so much more. It’s been cool to see the overlap.”
Balancing Athletics and Academics
Jordan’s commitment to Purdue athletics is just as remarkable. A year-round competitor in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track, she’s been running since the seventh grade and has spent the last five years competing at the NCAA Division I level.
“This is my eleventh year running competitively,” she said. “Being a student-athlete at this level is all about organization. I keep a list of everything I need to do and try to stay ahead on assignments. When we travel, we often don’t have Wi-Fi or time to work, so everything has to be done early.”
Thanks to that careful planning and her proactive mindset, Jordan has consistently earned Academic All-Big Ten honors—an accolade given to student-athletes who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher while competing at the varsity level.
Faculty and staff across Purdue have played a key role in her success. Professors have worked with Jordan to reschedule exams and assignments around her athletic commitments, especially during travel-heavy seasons.
“For the most part, everybody’s been really accommodating,” she said. “That support makes a huge difference.”
A Commencement Missed for a Greater Goal
Jordan’s commitment to her sport means she will likely miss Purdue’s commencement ceremony this spring. Instead, she expects to be representing the university at the Big Ten Championships in Oregon—one of the most competitive meets in collegiate track and field.
“It depends on whether I run a fast enough time to qualify,” she said. “But I’m fairly confident I’ll be there. The level of competition has gone up even more now that schools like Oregon, Washington, and UCLA have joined the Big Ten. It’s exciting to be part of that.”
Even without walking across the stage, Jordan says she’s proud of everything her time at Purdue has taught her—both in and out of the classroom.
Looking Ahead
As she wraps up her undergraduate journey, Jordan’s sights are set firmly on a future in environmental protection. Whether it’s working with the Environmental Protection Agency or a local conservation initiative, she wants to use her interdisciplinary background to make a tangible difference.
“There’s a lot of overlap between what I’m studying and what I want to do,” she said. “It all comes back to protecting the health of the environment and using science to make the world better.”
As a scholar, athlete, and future environmental leader, Caroline Jordan embodies the Boilermaker spirit—resilient, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to making a meaningful impact.
About the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University
Purdue Biological Sciences is the largest department in the Life Sciences at Purdue University. As part of Purdue One Health, we are dedicated to pioneering scientific discoveries and transformative education at the cutting edge of innovation. From molecules to cells, from tissues to organisms, from populations to ecosystems - we bring together multiple perspectives, integrating across biological scales to advance our understanding of life and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at bio.purdue.edu/.
Writer: Alisha Willett, areferda@purdue.edu
Source: Caroline Jordan