Kirk White
Office of the Provost/Office of the Vice President for Engagement
Expert Bio
As vice provost for external relations, Kirk White serves as the primary community and local government relations officer, advising the Indiana University Bloomington provost on campus-community relations as a senior staff member. He is also as assistant vice president for strategic partnerships in the Office of the Vice President for Government Relations and Economic Engagement.
In addition to his leadership within the campus’s COVID-19 response team, assisting campus leadership in the planning, response and recovery for campus emergency situations, White develops and maintains cooperative campus-community relationships with local elected officials, organizations, local school corporations, and neighborhood and civic associations; represents the campus on boards and commissions; coordinates the Town and Gown Committee; and serves as external liaison officer on the IU Emergency Management and Continuity Incident Management Team.
In his role with the Office of the Vice President for Government Relations and Economic Engagement, he is responsible for national defense and homeland security partnerships with state and federal government agencies, as well as IU’s mutually beneficial relationships with local government and economic development organizations in southwest Indiana.
Colonel White retired as a field artillery officer in the Indiana Army National Guard in 2020 after 30 years of service. He held command positions at the battery, battalion, brigade and provisional task force levels while assigned at 2-150th Field Artillery Regiment, 38th Infantry Division and 81st Troop Command.
White is also the longtime director of the IU Bloomington Monroe County United Way campaign.
Areas of Expertise
Indiana city and county government, economic development, crisis communications, homeland security, defense support of civilian authorities, military relations.