Longtime Purdue employee becomes new college's dean

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Longtime Purdue employee Christine Ladisch has been named the first dean of Purdue’s new College of Health and Human Sciences.

Her appointment as dean is the result of a national search for the new leader – which led Purdue right back to its own backyard.

"Dean Ladisch demonstrated great leadership as the college's inaugural dean by bringing nine units together to launch Purdue's new college, and we know that she will successfully guide this college as it moves forward," said Victor Lechtenberg, Purdue's acting provost and chief academic officer. "Dean Ladisch stood out for her enthusiasm, dedication and vision for the college that encompasses its strengths in research, a strong engagement program through extension and clinics, and dedicated teaching that engages students in clinical and research opportunities."

Ladisch, a professor of consumer science, has served as inaugural dean since the college was created in 2010. The college was formed as part of Purdue’s New Synergies plan to realign nine academic units and push Purdue’s reputation in health and human sciences.

"I am excited to serve as dean of this great college that will continue to excel in its diverse disciplines that are aimed at improving people's lives," Ladisch said. "The College of Health and Human Sciences will continue to gain momentum as we move forward with our new Lyles-Porter Hall, a building that will house a variety of health programs including Purdue's nationally ranked Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. We also have a great foundation to build on with research-driven initiatives such as the recently announced Women's Global Health Institute and we will continue to develop the college's nine academic units to emphasize student learning and research that has a profound, positive impact on the lives of people."

Ladisch has been vice provost for University academic affairs since July of 2005, and associate provost since 2001. In both of these positions she has provided leadership in undergraduate education and dealt with issues in personnel, budget, academic planning, program evaluation and general academic policy development.

Before these positions, she was associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences from 1993-1999 and was department head of consumer sciences and retailing from 1999-2001.

She also co-chaired the accreditation steering committee that helped Purdue earn continued accreditation from the Higher Learning  Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 2010.

"The pool of finalists was an exceptional group of candidates, and we appreciate everyone who was involved in the process," said Willie Reed, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and search committee chair. "Dean Ladisch will be a great leader and advocate for Purdue's College of Health and Human Sciences."

The college of Health and Human Sciences comprises more than 4,300 undergraduate and more than 500 graduate students, as well as more than 200 faculty and 380 staff members. The college has the second-largest undergraduate enrollment at the University.

The departments that call the college home include: Consumer Science; Health and Kinesiology; Human Development and Family Studies; Nutrition Science; Psychological Sciences; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; and the schools of Health Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Nursing.

The college's 10 distinguished professors are in the departments of Psychological Sciences; Human Development and Family Studies; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; and Nutrition Science. The Department of Nutrition Science also is home to a member of the Institute of Medicine.