Daniels names DelSanto as chief of staff

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Gina DelSanto will join Purdue University on Feb. 18 as chief of staff to President Mitch Daniels.

DelSanto will serve a key role on the president's leadership team and will manage a wide range of matters of institutional importance on behalf of the president.

She will report directly to Daniels and will coordinate the operations of the Office of the President.

"I'm deeply honored by the opportunity to serve President Daniels and the Purdue community," DelSanto said. "I look forward to employing my knowledge and experience in undergraduate teaching, academic research, higher education administration and public service as Purdue works toward its aspirational future."

DelSanto, a native of Rhode Island, received her master's degree and doctorate in humanities from Indiana University. She has taught courses in foreign language, literature and composition at IU, at Middlebury College and at Butler University, where she served as director of learning resources and later as associate provost.

She joined Daniels' state administration in 2009 as senior deputy commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, where she managed Indiana's state workforce board and led a reform effort for the state's workforce investment system and adult education program.

In 2012 she became senior associate commissioner and chief of staff for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, where she has focused on implementation of the state's strategic plan for higher education, Reaching Higher, Achieving More.

In her new role at Purdue, DelSanto will advise the president on many system-wide, campus and external issues, help to establish priorities and policies, and work to advance and accelerate key strategic projects. She also will serve as the president's representative to committees, boards, commissions and events as needed.