Meet Kevin White
Kevin C. White
Strategic Programs Director
Kevin White serves as Strategic Programs Director in Purdue University’s Office of Research, where he connects Purdue researchers with opportunities across the U.S. Department of Energy and its network of 17 National Laboratories. As Purdue’s primary liaison to DOE, Kevin helps faculty navigate the national laboratory ecosystem, develop relationships with laboratory researchers and leaders, and identify opportunities for collaboration and sponsored research.
Kevin also works closely with faculty pursuing opportunities through the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), helping build connections and coordinate partnerships that bring together Purdue expertise and federal research priorities.
Before joining Purdue, Kevin spent more than two decades in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service. That experience continues to shape how he approaches his work today—particularly his belief that successful partnerships depend on strong relationships, clear communication and, above all, trust.
“It takes time and effort to build trust, but it can make the difference between success and failure.” – Kevin White
Connecting Purdue to the National Laboratories
For researchers interested in working with DOE or the National Laboratories, knowing where to begin can sometimes be the biggest hurdle. Kevin helps faculty understand that landscape and find the people, programs and opportunities that align with their research.
Through his role, he works to strengthen Purdue’s relationships across the DOE and NNSA research ecosystem, connect faculty with potential laboratory collaborators, and help position Purdue teams for opportunities that benefit from university–national laboratory partnerships.
A Few Questions with Kevin
What is something you could give a 10-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Leadership and the importance of trust. “I’ve led in some challenging situations over my career, and so much relies on trust between you and those working with you. It takes time and effort to build that trust, but it can make the difference between success and failure.”
What is a hobby or interest you have outside of work?
Kevin enjoys tinkering, building things and figuring out how to fix something rather than simply throwing it away.
“My father taught me how to work on small engines and repair everything and anything around the house. I’ve started to enjoy it even more as I get older.”
Are you an early bird, night owl, or somewhere in between?
Definitely a night owl. “After almost 23 years in the Army, you’d think I’d be a morning person, but I still prefer nights.”
What is a place you’ve visited that you would happily return to tomorrow?
Europe—particularly Germany and Budapest.
“I’ve really enjoyed visiting both and could see spending a lot more time there.”
What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
Professionally, Kevin is currently reading Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie and Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara.
For fun, he’s working his way through Michael Connelly’s bibliography. (That’s 42 books and roughly 17,000 pages of text!)
Need proposal development support—or assistance with another research need? Connect with the Office of Research through Office of Research Support.
