A message from Dean Aaron Bowman

Sept. 2026

As we begin another exciting academic year in the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS), I am pleased to share several updates reflecting the continued growth and momentum of our college.

We are excited to welcome new department heads and associate/assistant deans who will help guide our academic programs, research and engagement efforts.

Effective Aug. 17, Professor Tim Gavin will serve as associate dean for Indianapolis and strategic initiatives, and Professor Amanda Cecil will serve as the inaugural assistant dean of Indianapolis programs. Drs. Gavin and Cecil will further advance our academic programs, strategic partnerships and operations at Purdue University in Indianapolis.
Professor Libby Richards assumed the permanent role of head of the School of Nursing, and professor Jason Cannon became the permanent head of the School of Health Sciences. Professors Richards and Cannon have already demonstrated exemplary leadership, deep commitment and clear visions for the future during their respective interim tenures.
Kimberly Updegraff has been appointed as the interim head of the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Professor Updegraff is an accomplished scholar and leader whose extensive experience in academic administration and family research makes her highly qualified to guide the department during this important transitional period. She takes over for Valerie Knopik, who left HHS to become the head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University.
Professor Rodney C. Runyan has been appointed to serve as the interim head of the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management). He moved into the role as former head Ceridwyn King became the Dimond Family Dean of the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.
Professor Kristine Marceau became the associate dean for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. She replaced Jason Harris, who stepped down after serving for seven years in the position.

These accomplished researchers’ and educators’ expertise and commitment will be instrumental as we continue our missions of strengthening communities and making human lives better.

This fall, we are welcoming 21 new faculty members — 12 tenure-track professors and nine clinical. Meanwhile, progress on the new Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building continues as both the exterior and interior are taking shape. You can envision the vital work that will be done in the facility’s 185,000-plus gross square feet. Our School of Nursing will start transitioning from Johnson and Hampton halls and the 2550 Northwestern Avenue facility in West Lafyette this fall in time for the official opening in January. The $160 million building is an important investment in the future of healthcare education at Purdue. Many of you helped make this building — many years in the making — a reality thanks to your generous donations. Your gifts ensure opportunities for students to learn, collaborate and prepare for the evolving needs of the nursing workforce.

Our academic offerings continue to grow, too. This fall marks the debut of the new hospitality and tourism management undergraduate major in Indianapolis, as well as new master’s programs in sport management and athletic training at Purdue in Indianapolis. These initiatives build on our strengths in West Lafayette for our new HHS Boilermakers in the Circle City.

I hope you will join us in West Lafayette for Fall Family Weekend, Oct. 16-17, and Purdue Homecoming 2026 weekend, Nov. 6-7. These events offer wonderful opportunities to reconnect with HHS and see firsthand the exciting things happening across campus.

Thank you for your continued support. Your accomplishments and dedication to serving others are a tremendous source of pride for us. You will always be an important part of the HHS family.

Boiler Up!

Aaron Bowman
Dean
College of Health and Human Sciences