Jischke appoints director
 By
Laura Pelner
Campus Editor
Purdue President Martin Jischke released the name
of the new director of strategic planning and assessment Thursday, a
new position Jischke created for Purdue.
"This has to do with the development of strategic
plans for the University," said Jischke. "(Finding someone) was one
of the high priorities of the Board of Trustees when they hired me."
Jischke named Rabindra Narayan Mukerjea, the current
assistant to the president for budget planning and analysis at Iowa
State University, into the position.
"Professor Mukerjea has extensive successful experience
in strategic planning. I couldn't be more pleased, he is quite extraordinary
and very able. There was uniform support for his appointment," said
Jischke.
Mukerjea will begin work here on March 1. Jischke
said that he hopes Mukerjea will provide leadership and support in his
new position for the University efforts in strategic planning. That
in turn would make Purdue a better University on each of its campuses,
he added.
As the director of strategic planning and assessment,
Mukerjea will deal with Purdue's academic and financial operations.
Jischke said in a release that Mukerjea will help establish the priorities
and plans that guide the University.
Prior to coming to Purdue, Jischke was president
of Iowa State and he worked with Mukerjea, but he said that did not
really affect Mukerjea's appointment.
"It did not (affect the appointment) in the sense
that we advertised nationally for people to apply for this job. However,
it did in the sense that no one had the qualifications and experience
that he has," said Jischke.
"He's done strategic planning in the university
level. He was a tenured professor and a dean. He competed against everyone
in the nation but he was the superior candidate."
Being familiar with Mukerjea will help the transition
process when he arrives, said Jischke. "I certainly know him well professionally
and personally; he's quite talented. The most important thing is that
he's as good as anyone I've ever worked with."
In the time between now and March 1, Mukerjea will
visit Purdue's campus and become familiar with it. "He is at work to
learn more about Purdue," said Jischke. "I've asked him to come to visit
before March to shape the strategic planning process."
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