Two hires made in support of Polytechnic High School initiative

Purdue Polytechnic Institute has made two recent hires in support of its Polytechnic High School initiative.

Brooke Huntington has been appointed as Purdue Polytechnic's assistant dean for K-12 outreach, effective Monday (Aug. 17).

Huntington will lead the development and fall 2017 launch of the Purdue Polytechnic Indianapolis High School, a new STEM-focused charter school that will feature active learning, unique teaching methods, and industry participation. Working from Purdue's downtown Indianapolis office, Huntington will develop and maintain relationship partnerships with external K-12 agencies, government, school districts and funding agencies to support the high school.

Huntington was president and chief executive officer of EmployIndy, a workforce investment board that provides training and employment programs for youth and adults in Marion County. She also served as deputy commissioner for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and in management positions at ArvinMeritor Inc., an automobile components manufacturer. She has experience in revenue development, government and business relations, and system transformation.

Huntington earned her Master of Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and her undergraduate degree from Butler University.

Kevin Kaluf has been appointed the K-12 STEM education director for the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, effective Aug. 3.

Most recently, Kaluf worked as a post-doctoral research associate for Purdue Polytechnic's Office of the Dean. In his new position, Kaluf will be responsible for planning and startup of the Purdue Polytechnic Indianapolis High School, placing special emphasis on its curriculum. He also will oversee all aspects of the college's K-12 STEM education-related activities. Kaluf will report to Geanie Umberger, associate dean for engagement for Purdue Polytechnic.

For 12 years, Kaluf was a technology/pre-engineering teacher at Kankakee Valley High School in Wheatfield, Indiana. He also was an instructor for Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit organization that develops STEM curricula for use in K-12 schools.

Kaluf earned a doctorate in engineering/technology education from Purdue and master's degrees from both Olivet Nazarene University and Purdue.