Purdue initiates search for director/chair of Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence

Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, has announced the launch of an internal search for the next director and chair of Purdue’s Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence. The current director and chair, Mangala Subramaniam, is stepping down from her leadership role with the Butler Center on Sept. 30 to become senior vice provost for faculty affairs at the Virginia Commonwealth University.

“For the past five years as the Butler Center chair and director, Dr. Subramaniam has consistently developed and delivered innovative, relevant and faculty-focused programming supporting career success and leadership development, with many Butler Center conferences becoming highly regarded nationwide and well attended by faculty both within and outside of Purdue,” Akridge says. “She has been a strong and effective advocate for faculty and especially for our female and underrepresented faculty. While we will miss her leadership, Mangala leaves us with a rich portfolio of Butler Center programs, and we are deeply grateful for the difference she has made here. We wish her every success in her new role.”

The search advisory committee will be chaired by Preeti Sivasankar, professor and head of the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

The search advisory committee members are:

• Chris Agnew, professor of psychological sciences.
• Angelica Duran, professor of English.
• Pamala Morris, associate dean and director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and professor of agricultural sciences, education and communication.
• Cara Putman, clinical assistant professor and director of the Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Management.

The position announcement is available online. Anyone wishing to apply for or nominate candidates for the position can send application materials and names to Preeti Sivasankar at preeti@purdue.edu or Ruth Ann Weiderhaft at weiderhaft@purdue.edu.  Applications will be accepted through Sept. 30.