WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – A national search has started to hire the first chancellor of Purdue University Northwest, which will officially come into existence next year.

The chancellor will oversee the unification of Purdue University Calumet in Hammond and Purdue University North Central in Westville.

The new chancellor of Purdue University Northwest will be responsible for working with stakeholders from the two existing campuses about 35 miles apart to form a new set of shared values and priorities as well as to advance academic quality, student success and affordability. The school will have about 16,000 students and employing more than 1,500 faculty and staff.

The merger was approved by the Purdue board of trustees last July.

A 10-member committee is scheduled to provide the university with a slate of qualified candidates by early fall.