Purdue to initiate dean search for College of Health and Human Sciences

Jay Akridge, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, has announced the start of a national search for the next dean of Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences.

The college formed in 2010 by bringing together nine academic units from three colleges under the leadership of Chris Ladisch as inaugural dean.

"We deeply appreciate Dean Ladisch's skillful leadership of the College of Health and Human Sciences," Akridge says. "She was the ideal choice to stand up the college, and we are looking for someone who will now build on the college's excellent reputation for collaboration and innovation."

Members of the search advisory committee for the next HHS dean are: 

* David Hummels, dean, Krannert School of Management/professor of economics (chair).

* Angela Abbott, assistant dean of HHS Extension.

* Stewart Chang Alexander, associate professor of consumer science and public health.

* Ximena Arriaga, professor of psychological sciences.

* Susan Budreau, director of development, HHS.

* Michele Forman, head and professor of nutrition science.

* Richard Ghiselli, head and professor of HTM/interim head, Consumer Science.

* Jason T. Harris, associate professor of health sciences.

* Josh Liddy, doctoral student in health and kinesiology.

* Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, professor of human development and family studies.

* Richard Mattes, director, Public Health Graduate Program/Distinguished Professor of Nutrition Science.

* Sara McComb, professor of nursing and industrial engineering.

* LaTrice Porter-Thomas, treasurer of HHS Alumni Board.

* Shirley Rietdyk, professor of health and kinesiology.

* Jennifer Simpson, clinical professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences.

* Val Watts, associate dean of research/associate head and professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology.

* Kip Williams, Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences.

Akridge said the search advisory committee will seek input from HHS faculty, staff, students and administrators, as well as the broader campus community, as the search process gets underway.