Search for dean of College of Natural Resources

24 Feb 2009

Virginia Tech has begun an international search for a new dean of the College of Natural Resources, a position that has been held by Dean Mike Kelly since 2004.

Kelly has been an incredible contributor and collaborator for the college and its outstanding academic programs. The college is well positioned for the future,” said Mark McNamee, senior vice president and provost who chairs the search committee.

The College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech consistently ranks among the top three programs of its kind in the nation and is a premier research unit within the university. The college is a vital component of the land-grant tradition of Virginia Tech with learning, discovery, and engagement programs on- and off- campus. A national leader in Natural Resources Cooperative Extension programming, the college employs approximately 127 faculty and 60 staff and enrolls approximately 500 undergraduate and 200 graduate students in its four academic departments.

In addition to McNamee, members of the search committee are:

Michael Aust, professor of forestry;
Arlice Banks, executive secretary, College of Natural Resources;
Brian Bond, associate professor of wood science and forest products;
Jack Davis, Reynolds Metals Professor and Dean College of Architecture and Urban Studies;
Carl Garrison, Virginia Department of Forestry;
Lawrence Grossman, professor of geography;
Eric Hallerman, professor and head, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences;
Michael Hochella, University Distinguished Professor of Geosciences;
Lynn Resler, assistant professor of geography;
Robert Smith, professor and associate dean, College of Natural Resources;
Dean Stauffer, professor of fisheries and wildlife sciences; and
Valerie Thomas, assistant professor of forestry.

The dean will lead and engage faculty in the continuing pursuit of academic excellence and the position provides a great opportunity to champion signature undergraduate and graduate academic programs, advocate for future research initiatives, and engage regionally, nationally, and internationally in partnerships that foster natural resource conservation and development.

For more information about the search, visit the Office of the Provost website.