At Colorado State University, each coming year brings fresh opportunities.
This academic year, there are several new deans leading colleges. While some may be familiar faces in new positions, each individual has a distinct agenda and desire to build on what has already been accomplished, building their own legacy along the way. Below are some excerpts from guest columns all of the deans wrote for SOURCE during Move-In Week.
James Pritchett, dean, College of Agricultural Sciences:
“Looking ahead, the college is focused on advancing the land-grant mission through our Agricultural Sciences Strategic Plan. Through intentional discovery, inclusive learning and collaborative outreach, we are committed to continuing to create impactful programs that support a brighter future for agriculture and for our planet, while ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation.”
Beth Walker, dean, College of Business:
“In the College of Business, we are especially excited about our vision that unites and energizes us all: Business for a Better World. This important idea is woven throughout every aspect of our college and takes many forms. From the research that our faculty conducts, the curriculum we offer, the inclusive environment that we foster, and the way we engage with the community, our college is dedicated to creating positive change by inspiring impactful research and preparing our students to address the world’s most pressing business problems.”
Lise Youngblade, dean, College of Health and Human Sciences:
“With a commitment to equity and inclusion, our mission is to promote the health and well-being of people, their communities, and the environments in which they live. We are a unique college that fulfills our land-grant mission with a specific and proud commitment to improving the human condition. We are a college of problem-solvers, change-makers, and inspirational leaders whose passion is to transform lives.”
Benjamin C. Withers, dean, College of Liberal Arts:
“We are ready in the College of Liberal Arts to get back to our fundamental mission to learn, to conduct research and scholarship, and to engage with our communities. Whether we do that with students and faculty engaging in study abroad, by welcoming Colorado youth to campus in summer programs, or by hosting professional development conferences for our faculty, we are focused on the enduring and essential skills that our liberal arts disciplines provide to campus, community, and the world.”
Simon Tavener, interim dean, College of Natural Sciences:
“Our plan emphasizes CSU’s three critical land-grant mission areas: research, education, and engagement. Through these lenses, our plan calls on us to conduct globally relevant research that addresses major challenges and advances the frontiers of science. It makes clear our responsibility to support students throughout their educational journeys and prepare them for their futures. It demands that we do our part to expand scientific and quantitative literacy by making science accessible, interesting and relevant to the world. It is an exciting time to be a member of our college!”
Sue VandeWoude, dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences:
“My new normal is to have conversations and visit with faculty, staff, and students across CVMBS to prioritize our activities and investments. This will include welcoming our next students and listening to questions and concerns posed by undergraduate, graduate and veterinary students. I’ll also be working to extend our relationships with other colleges to strengthen and launch interdisciplinary initiatives. And I will serve as an ambassador for CSU in conversations with external stakeholders.”
Alonso Aguirre, dean, Warner College of Natural Resources:
“We are poised to grow our collaborations to create novel and far-reaching solutions to the most pressing environmental issues of our time. Together, we can tackle challenges related to biodiversity conservation, climate change, emerging diseases, water quality and quantity, fire ecology and more, all while addressing equity, diversity, inclusion, and environmental justice. We can accomplish this by deepening partnerships across our college and University, locally and across the globe, breaking down silos to improve the health of species and ecosystems along with our own.”
David McLean, dean, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering:
“We are committed to improving student success and retention, particularly within the first two years, including a pilot project with the math department to teach calculus with applications to engineering. We also aim to close gaps in retention based on financial need, race and first-generation status, thereby enabling more students to have access to an amazing engineering education. Industry partners and donors have taken note of our efforts supporting student success.”
Want to learn more?
The new and existing leaders at Colorado State University possess characteristics that inspire change and influence the community, bringing CSU to new heights now and in the future. To learn more about the upcoming academic year and read the full text of each dean’s guest column – as well columns by CSU’s interim president and interim provost – head to https://source.colostate.edu/csu-move-in-2022-campus-voices/.
