Sorge takes new assistant vice provost role, continues work in faculty affairs in Indianapolis

Brandon Sorge has been named the assistant vice provost for Indianapolis faculty affairs, effective April 1.

“My role is really helping to orchestrate everything related to Purdue faculty in Indianapolis. I will have a focus on those in university tenure but will also support all Indianapolis-located faculty to make sure they have the tools and support to launch the new location,” said Sorge.

He plans to continue promoting the acquisition of resources faculty need to excel as researchers and instructors and analyze the processes that are in place in Indianapolis surrounding faculty advancement.  

Sorge will be coordinating with multiple areas within Purdue, including engagement, service learning, teaching and learning, faculty affairs and department heads.

“I’ll be working with a wide spectrum of people who are providing support services to our faculty and thinking about how and what we are doing, and what the faculty’s needs are as we move forward,” he said.  

Until the transition July 1, Sorge is continuing with his duties at IUPUI as an associate professor of STEM education research, co-chair of graduate programs in the Department of Technology Leadership and Communication in the School of Engineering and Technology, as well as taking on the assistant vice provost role.

“I’m really excited about continuing to support and champion the great work of the faculty in Indianapolis and helping in transitioning them through the process of integration,” Sorge said. He plans to further promote the acquisition of resources faculty need to excel as researchers and instructors.

Years of working with faculty and staff in Indianapolis through various roles, including serving as the IUPUI School of Engineering and Technology’s Faculty Senate president for the 2023-2024 academic year and president-elect the previous year, provide Sorge with a strong foundation for his new position.

“Over the past couple of years, I’ve been able to observe Brandon Sorge’s leadership amongst faculty,” said David Umulis, senior vice provost Purdue University for Indianapolis. “First, in supporting them through the transition and also by playing an active role in finding ways to advocate for faculty more broadly to support teaching and advance their academic careers.” 

The person in this role “needs to be someone faculty trust to come talk to if they have issues — I think that’s really important,” Sorge said. “Our faculty already know they can come to me with their needs and concerns.”

Sorge is also pleased with the leadership team he’ll be working alongside in Indianapolis.

“They’re passionate about helping our students and faculty,” he said. “At the end of the day, helping our faculty helps our students.”