Purdue announces updated leadership team to take Purdue Global to next level

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With a goal of continued growth and success, trustees of Purdue University and Purdue Global announced Tuesday (May 21) an updated leadership structure for the university’s online education solution for working adults. 

“Our commitment to this embodiment of our land-grant mission has never wavered,” trustees chair Mike Berghoff said. “This new commitment to three outstanding leaders and leadership will ensure growth and continued quality improvements for Purdue Global’s faculty, staff and students well into the future.”

Effective immediately and approved by the Purdue Global Board of Trustees, the following organizational structure is in place:

• Chris Ruhl, Purdue University’s chief financial officer and treasurer, will serve also as Purdue Global’s interim CEO and in this role will report to the Purdue Global board as representative for Purdue University President Mung Chiang. Ruhl will be responsible for the overall Purdue Global entity.
• Reporting to Ruhl will be:
  • Frank Dooley, who will continue in his vital role as Purdue Global chancellor, responsible for all academic operations.
  • Eva Nodine, Purdue vice president and deputy chief financial officer, who will take on the role of Purdue Global CFO and chief operating officer, responsible for all non-academic operations.

“As Purdue Global goes through a crucial phase of continued growth, I am delighted that Chris Ruhl has accepted the additional responsibility to represent me as the CEO of Purdue Global in addition to continuing as Purdue University’s CFO,” Chiang said. “Purdue is committed to the 21st century land-grant impact and proud of the teachers and students of Purdue Global.” 

Ruhl said, “The Purdue Global mission and success for its students, staff and faculty drives all of us to focus efforts on the next steps in this growing and vital segment of higher education, which looks to serve the more than 40 million Americans who have some college credit but no degree and who are looking for a degree they can trust."

As chancellor, Dooley’s charge will include:

• All academic programs, academic staffing and course development
• Business-to-business growth across all sectors
• Student success, including admissions and advising
• Special academic project development with the Gates Foundation and others 

As CFO and COO, Nodine’s charge will include:

• All financial planning and accounting services
• Human resources
• Financial aid
• Marketing and communications
• Data, information technology, and legal and regulatory affairs

“Student success is my passion, and at every graduation, I see how our faculty and staff help our students attain their educational and career goals,” Dooley said. “I welcome the opportunity to work more closely with my colleagues Chris and Eva and an even closer connection to Purdue University.” 

“Providing quality education to working adults is our No. 1 priority,” Nodine said. “Purdue Global has over 60,000 graduates since we opened our doors in 2018, and we will continue to provide education that helps our students change their lives and make a comeback. You can be assured that our finance and operations teams will be focused on that goal each and every day.” 

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults, with more than 36,000 students enrolled and an estimated 11,000 degrees and certificates awarded yearly. The current student snapshot at Purdue Global includes:

• 59% of students are 30 years of age or older.
• 40% of students are from underserved populations.
• 52% of students have a child or other dependents.
• 50% are first-generation college students.
• Approximately 10,000 are military-affiliated students, a population that includes uniformed personnel, veterans and eligible dependents.