Purdue to initiate dean search for Polytechnic Institute

Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, has announced the launch of a national search for the next dean of Purdue’s Polytechnic Institute. Gary Bertoline, current dean of the Polytechnic Institute, has accepted a new role as senior vice president for Purdue Online and learning innovation.

“Thanks to the leadership of Dean Bertoline and because of its very talented and dedicated faculty and staff, the Purdue Polytechnic Institute is widely recognized as one of the most innovative colleges of its kind in the world,” Akridge said.  “Building on that positive momentum, we will search for a new dean who will take the Polytechnic Institute to even higher levels of excellence and impact.”

Karen Plaut, dean of Purdue Agriculture, will chair the search. Carrie Berger, current executive associate dean for research and strategic initiatives in the Polytechnic Institute, will serve as interim dean while the search is conducted.

Members of the search advisory committee are: 

• Karen Plaut, dean, College of Agriculture (chair).
• Paul Asunda, associate professor, Technology Leadership and Innovation, Polytechnic Institute.
• Elizabeth Barajas, director of globalization, Polytechnic Institute.
• Scott Bess, head of school for Purdue Polytechnic High School, Indianapolis.
• Patrick Connolly, associate dean of undergraduate programs, Polytechnic Institute.
• Steve Elliott, head and professor, Technology Leadership and Innovation, Polytechnic Institute.
• Colin Gray, assistant professor, Computer Graphics Technology, Polytechnic Institute.
• Sarah Hubbard, associate professor, Aviation and Transportation Technology, Polytechnic Institute.
• Brooke Huntington, assistant dean, Polytechnic Institute.
• Gozdem Kilaz, associate professor, Engineering Technology, Polytechnic Institute.
• Dawn Laux, associate department head and clinical associate professor, Computer and Information Technology, Polytechnic Institute.
• Alejandra Magana, the W.C. Furnas Professor in Enterprise Excellence, Computer and Information Technology, Polytechnic Institute.
• Toni Munguia, director of recruiting, retention and diversity, Polytechnic Institute.
• Thomas O’Neal, senior academic advisor, Polytechnic Institute.
• Randy Sergesketter, senior vice president, Global Platform-Crop Harvesting Agriculture, Deere & Co.
• Anthony Sparkling, assistant professor, Construction Management Technology, Polytechnic Institute.
• Richard Voyles, the Daniel C. Lewis Professor in the Polytechnic Institute, Engineering Technology.

“I want to thank Dean Karen Plaut for chairing this search and for the investment of time and energy the search advisory committee members will make in helping us recruit an outstanding individual for this important position,” Akridge said.

The search advisory committee will seek input from Purdue Polytechnic Institute faculty, staff, students and administrators as well as the broader campus community and stakeholders as they define the characteristics they seek in their next dean and build a strong pool of nominees. On-campus interviews will be planned for fall 2021.