Purdue Northwest Names Two Deans

Kenneth Holford and Elaine Carey (photos courtesy Purdue Northwest)

Purdue University Northwest has named leaders for two of its academic colleges. The new deans of the College of Engineering and Sciences and College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences will begin their roles July 1.

Kenneth Holford, who has recently served as interim dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences will now take on the role on a permanent basis. A professor of biology, Holford previously served as dean of the College of Science at Purdue University North Central before the merger with Purdue Calumet.

The university has also named Elaine Carey dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, which is Purdue Northwest’s largest academic college. Carey currently serves as the chair of the Department of History at St. John’s University in New York.

"Dr. Holford offers progressive, proven leadership experience, as well as knowledge and understanding of PNW, our transition from two independent regional campuses into one university, and our strategic quest to take advantage of a wide range of opportunities to increase academic excellence in extraordinary ways for our students," said Ralph Mueller, vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost at Purdue Northwest. "To lead PNW’s largest college of students, Dr. Carey brings the right mix of management and leadership experience, as well as a strong focus on community engagement. She is a widely-published historian who will support students and faculty members in their academic pursuits."