DELLA PENNA MOTORSPORTS NEXT GEN FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH INDIANA UNIVERSITY-PURDUE UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS (IUPUI) TO PROVIDE MORE WOMEN AND GIRLS MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN MOTORSPORTS  

 

(LOS ANGELES, CALIF.) Oct 24, 2022 – Della Penna Motorsports (DPM) Next Gen Foundation, a 501C-3 organization, and the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) announced today a partnership that will provide girls more opportunities to get involved in motorsports. The School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI offers the only bachelor’s degree in motorsports engineering in the entire U.S. while the DPM Next Gen Foundation has established itself over the last year as a gateway for more women and girls to kickstart a career in motorsports. 

Through this partnership, the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI and the DPM Next Gen foundation will educate a new generation of girls about the motorsports industry and provide opportunities to get involved on and off the track through events, panels and karting programs. The two will work together on a karting program, to be announced at a later date, that will take place in Indianapolis in 2023. 

“I’m so proud of this partnership with IUPUI and am looking forward to innovating on ways we can get women and girls involved in the motorsports industry,”

said Michelle Della Penna.

“IUPUI’s Motorsports Engineering Program is an asset to the motorsports industry. We are excited and grateful to collaborate with this institution as we work to open up crucial new paths for women in this space.” 

Over the last year, the DPM Next Gen Foundation has expanded its reach in order to empower girls from age 5 to 16 with opportunities to supercharge a future in motorsports, solidifying a lasting partnership with Sonoma Raceway to establish more karting programs and opportunities for girls, and creating Advisory Councils with pre-eminent women in industry and the communities served as well as a council of up and coming women drivers to educate, guide and mentor. The foundation has also held events, panels and track tours at leading industry gatherings including NASCAR and the L.A. Auto Show to better educate young girls on motorsports.

IUPUI’s Motorsports Engineering Program blends an engineering curriculum, vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, data acquisition, and other motorsports-specific courses. It is a leading higher education institution for those looking to jumpstart a career in motorsports. 

“We are thrilled to have DPM Next Gen Foundation as a new partner to advance a shared goal of providing experiences for girls to consider a STEM career through motorsports engineering,” said Dr. David Russomanno, dean of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI. “With DPMNextGen’s reach and our world-class offerings in motorsports engineering, this is the perfect opportunity to broaden and deepen the impact of our collective efforts.” 

To find out more about the Della Penna Motorsports Next Gen Foundation – how your organization can participate, or how you can donate to the cause – visit www.nextgenfoundation.org. Additionally, the foundation can be found on Instagram at @dpmnextgen, on Facebook at @dpmnextgenfoundation, and on Twitter at @DPMNextGen. To find out more about IUPUI’s Motorsports Engineering Program, visit www.iupui.edu. 

About the Della Penna Motorsports Next Gen Foundation 
Founded by serial entrepreneur Michelle Della Penna in 2021, the Della Penna Motorsports Foundation was established to honor the legacy of Indy Car team owner and racing legend, John Della Penna, with a mission of using motorsports as a platform to expose young girls to STEM programs and the world of racing, open doors, and provide opportunities to the next generation of female leaders and racing industry talent by letting them see it, dream it, and do it. More information about the Della Penna Nextgen Motorsports Foundation can be found at www.nextgenfoundation.org. 
About the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI 
The Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI offers undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for careers in industry. The School is one of the largest degree-granting units at IUPUI, with an enrollment of approximately 3,000 students. All degrees are awarded by Purdue University, with the exception of those awarded through the Department of Music and Arts Technology. 
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Kevin Brown 
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