On January 1, 2022, Prof. Caldwell assumed the role of Interim Head for the School of Industrial Engineering at Purdue. He provided stewardship of the School in anticipation of the arrival of Prof. Young-Jun Son of the University of Arizona, who took over as Head on June 1.
As Interim Head, Prof. Caldwell focused on four themes to benefit the School and the IE Community at Purdue and nationally:
• Engage: expanded and enriched connections with Purdue students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends;
• Mentor: a focus on improved personal and professional development and health throughout life phases and roles;
• Pilot: confident and cooperative exploration of innovative opportunities during periods of transition and change;
• Prepare: Readying the School, not simply for the next Head, but for the opening of the Gateway building complex, and more broadly, for the next generation of Industrial Engineering in the mid-21st Century.
Prof. Caldwell’s strong emphasis on the importance of this role was reflected in his prioritization of the Head’s duties over the development of new research efforts in the GROUPER lab through the first half of 2022.