How an Indiana State Fair Queen Became a Spirited Degree Plus Student
For eighth-generation farm kid and Purdue legacy Claire Bishop, the choice to pursue an undergraduate education at Purdue was an easy one. Growing up in a family with centuries-long ties to Indiana farming, Claire developed a strong work ethic and a love for service-oriented activities early on. She chose to study brain and behavioral sciences and communication in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) through Degree Plus, which has allowed her to combine hard sciences with the collaborative, qualitative study of human behavior.
“I realized it’s really feasible and affordable to add that second major,” Claire said. “There are other students, whether prospective, admitted, or currently here, who could really benefit and don’t even know that Degree Plus is as beneficial as it is. It’s an awesome program.”
Claire’s early experiences on her family farm in Hancock County taught her responsibility, discipline, and public presentation skills. She helped her parents and siblings produce crops and show livestock, all while participating in local and state fairs and amassing an impressive collection of 4H awards over 10 years. Before graduating high school, Claire achieved a historic first: being crowned the 2023 Miss Indiana State Fair while simultaneously holding the title of 2023 Indiana State Festivals Association Queen. These roles gave her the opportunity to be a role model for kids like her.
“I remember seeing the impact of the queens and looking up to them from a really young age,” she said. “I loved the direct involvement I had in the community. Best job of my life!”
Claire's participation in pageants and fairs strengthened the skills she now refines in her CLA classes. In being crowned the winner among fierce competitors, she learned that communication, empathy, and leadership intersect in important ways. Modeling was never Claire’s favorite part of competing, but her interviews and speeches prepared her well for her time at Purdue.
Claire sees Degree Plus as a bridge between disciplines, allowing her to stretch different parts of her brain while learning to manage time and develop information literacy. Her Liberal Arts classes encourage creativity and collaboration, giving her the chance to learn through doing; while her science courses challenge her to synthesize complex ideas and think critically to apply them in other contexts.
“I love that I can go to my psychology and anatomy classes and learn about the neural pathways of your left cerebral cortex,” Claire said. “And 30 minutes later I walk to my strategic marketing class and work with actual clients on marketing portfolios.”
Claire is a hardworking member of the Purdue community, excelling academically while balancing rehearsals for PMO’s Heart & Soul gospel choir. Claire gives credit to the faculty in the College of Liberal Arts for making her feel seen at a large university. Professor Josh Boyd from her COM 20400 class, for instance, once invited her and other high-achieving students to share stories and trade wisdom over dinner.
“He’s been a mentor and a friend of mine,” Claire said. “CLA does a great job of recognizing students, and it just feels like I have a much bigger support system of professors and teaching assistants around me.”
Claire plans to graduate with both a BS and BA in Spring 2027, carrying forward the lessons from her family, CLA education, and Degree Plus experience.