By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH

Indiana Correspondent

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University officials are planning to invite finalists for dean of the College of Agriculture to the campus in April, according to the head of the search committee.

The previous dean, Jay Akridge, was named university provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity in November 2017.  Karen Plaut, senior associate dean for research and faculty affairs in the college, has been serving as interim dean.

The application deadline was in early February. Willie Reed, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and chair of the search advisory committee, declined to say how many applications were received or if any applicants were in-house. He hopes a new dean will be named in June or earlier.

After the candidates visit the campus for interviews, feedback will be sought before a decision is made.

“We’re looking for someone with exceptional leadership qualities,” Reed explained. “They need to have a broad understanding of agriculture, not just nationally, but globally.”

Also important is an understanding of the various disciplines under the umbrella of the College of Agriculture, he said. “If you want to be a dean of a college of agriculture, this is a plum job. This opportunity doesn’t come along very often.”

Akridge served as Glenn W. Sample Dean of the college for more than eight years. “Because of its very talented and dedicated faculty and staff, the College of Agriculture is one of the best in the world, and we will search for a new dean who will take the college to even higher levels of excellence and impact,” Akridge said.

In his new role, he is responsible for the recruitment, hiring and review of deans. He also works to ensure that university functions such as academic affairs, student life and the libraries are delivered with a focus on student success and effective use of resources, the university stated.