Head of the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance

Purdue University invites applications, nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Head of the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance.

The Rueff School is one of the eleven units in the College of Liberal Arts and consists of two departments: Art and Design and Theatre, and two divisions: Dance and Music as well as the Purdue University Galleries. Undergraduate degrees include BFA and BA options in Art and Design, and a BA in Theatre. Graduate degrees include the MFA in Art and Design, MFA in Theatre, and PhD in Art Education. A new Music Certificate program has been approved and a Music BA degree is in the process of approval. Art and Design, Theatre, Music and Dance also offer a total of six minors and enroll a large number of students in courses.

Housed in a 40-million-dollar complex completed in 2005, the Rueff School is outfitted with extensive equipment and specialized studios. Presently, the school supports 438 undergraduate majors, 58 graduate students, 34 full-time faculty, 15 continuing lecturers, and 20 staff members. The faculty are nationally and internationally recognized experts in their fields of Design, including Visual Communication Design, Interior Design and Industrial Design; Art, including Fine Art, Art History and Art Education; and Performance, including Theatre (Acting, Design, and Production), Music, Dance, and Sound for the Performing Arts. The School’s faculty and alums compete at the national and international level achieving recognition as creative professionals in diverse fields.

The school seeks a proven leader who can determine how best to develop, provide, and leverage the extraordinarily diverse and interdisciplinary nature of the Rueff School to strengthen educational opportunities for students—both within and outside the school—in an academic environment primarily focused on STEM–related disciplines; value all disciplines within the Rueff School equally, and work to create a strong and supportive organizational climate; and work to establish effective and transparent communication, through shared governance, collegiality and a willingness to engage faculty and staff.

Requirements of the position include a terminal degree or equivalent professional experience related to one of the School’s departments or divisions; a distinguished record in the field of design, art, or performance appropriate to an appointment at the rank of tenured full professor; and a clear record of leading creative individuals.

Purdue University’s School of Design, Art and Performance is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort, including scholarship, instruction, and engagement.  Candidates should address at least one of these areas in their cover letter, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion.

A complete position description can be found in the Leadership Profile. 

Nominations, inquiries and expressions of interest may be sent to PurdueDesignArtPerformance [​at​] wittkieffer.com.  Application materials should include a curriculum vita and a cover letter addressing the position responsibilities, qualifications, and diversity.  The cover letter and curriculum vita will be made public should the applicant become a finalist. For fullest consideration, materials should be submitted by March 22, 2019. Appointment will begin on July 1, 2019. 

The Purdue University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.