President Daniels made this announcement on April 21, along with that of Gary Bertoline stepping down from his position as Dean of Purdue Polytechnic Institute to serve as Senior Vice President for Purdue Online in the Provost’s office.  “Having carefully selected targets for Purdue’s major new investments, it’s equally important that we put our best people on the job leading those initiatives and producing results,” Daniels said. "We don’t have finer or more proven leaders than these two, both great scholars with records of action to match.”

As Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Chiang will be charged with utilizing his experience in both state and national advisory roles to help position Purdue to lead the ambitious research and development, manufacturing, education and infrastructure initiatives expected from upcoming and unprecedented federal investment opportunities. He also will be charged with leading Purdue’s efforts in identifying and vetting additional major private-public opportunities that will lead to the growth and success of the Discovery Park District and the Aerospace District.

“Significant federal investment into national R&D priorities, coupled with the post-pandemic demand for innovation, are pointing to the next several years as the most transformative period for American higher education in over half a century. President Daniels and the BOT’s strategic initiatives will make Purdue the most consequential public university in the U.S.,” Chiang said. “I am honored to serve in the additional role, in which I look forward to working with all colleagues across the university system, as well as with Purdue For Life and Purdue Research Foundation, on strategic initiatives in Purdue’s Next Moves, on Purdue Applied Research Institute for national security technologies, and on the Innovation Campus.”

Chiang’s work will involve building relationships with government, industry, and foundations to form strategic regional, national and international partnerships that deliver an integrated strategy that best serve the interests of the state of Indiana and Purdue — with particular areas of focus to include secure microelectronics and communications, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. These activities are expected to support Purdue’s Next Moves as announced on April 9, 2021.