Purdue University’s Board of Trustees has unanimously elected retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jay B. Silveria as the university’s 14th president.
Silveria will succeed Mitch Daniels and assume the position Feb. 1, 2027. Daniels has served as Purdue’s interim president since July.
Silveria currently serves as president of the University of Arkansas System, a position he has held since January 2025. Previously, he served as associate vice president and executive director of Texas A&M University and the Bush School of Government and Public Service in Washington, D.C. He also served as superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy from 2017 to 2020.
“I am honored to become the next president of Purdue University, one of the top public research universities in the country,” Silveria said. He cited Purdue’s reputation for affordability, accessibility, ingenuity and integrity as reasons for accepting the position. He also pledged to support faculty, researchers, staff and students while advancing the university’s land-grant mission.
Purdue Board of Trustees Chair Gary Lehman praised Silveria’s leadership experience in higher education, military service and organizational development.
Before entering higher education leadership, Silveria spent 35 years in the U.S. Air Force. His assignments included serving as deputy commander of the Combined Air Force Component for U.S. Central Command in Southwest Asia, where he oversaw air operations across a 20-nation region. He also commanded the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and held several other senior leadership positions.
A 1985 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Silveria is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flight hours. He flew combat missions over the Balkans and Iraq. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star and multiple Air Medals.
Silveria holds master’s degrees from Syracuse University, Air University and the National War College.
He will take over leadership of Purdue as the university continues its focus on research, student success and public service.