Whitney Freeland and Jennifer Merzdorf join OEVPRP
The Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships (OEVPRP) is pleased to announce the arrivals of Whitney Freeland and Jennifer Merzdorf to support divisional operations, communication, scheduling, and project coordination. Both new staff members are seasoned administrators who bring significant experience with Purdue operations to the OEVPRP.
Whitney Freeland
Whitney Freeland, scheduling and project coordinator, and executive assistant, joined OEVPRP in July 2022. Working closely with office leadership, Freeland will serve as office manager, providing administrative support and coordination for the division’s technical, project, meeting, scheduling and travel needs.
A 2013 graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, Freeland brings to her role extensive administrative, editing, and conference logistics experience coordinating activities for university vice presidential- and department-level offices. Ms. Freeland is also pursuing a second degree in health care administration through the Purdue University Global online degree program.
Jennifer Merzdorf
Jennifer Merzdorf is serving as senior manager of operations. In this role, Merzdorf manages day-to-day operations and provides leadership, training and guidance to all administrative support staff in OEVPRP. Additionally, she provides executive-level support to the OEVPRP, interacts with university executives, leaders and external partners, and develops strategic plans to optimize the time and effectiveness of the EVPRP.
Prior to joining the OEVPRP, Jennifer served as director of communication for both the College of Education and the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. She earned her master’s in strategic communication from Purdue in 2015.