Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
In May of this year, I informed the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources that Dr. Craig Beyrouty is stepping down as Dean at the end of June 2025. I am now pleased to announce that I have appointed a search committee and launched a national search to find an outstanding individual to fill the position of Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Samuel Graham, Dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering, will chair the committee, which will be assisted by the international executive search firm Witt Kieffer. The complete list of committee members is provided below.
We seek excellent and diverse candidates who can leverage our considerable academic strengths as a major research university, the unique advantages offered by our location, and our overriding commitment to inclusive excellence in all that we do. They will serve on the University's academic leadership team, support the advancement of our university’s strategic plan, and work to build partnerships with policy makers, public officials, alumni, and community leaders who will enhance the student experience and bring significant new resources and opportunities to the College. The dean must be committed to continuing to build upon the strengths of the College, one that is a recognized leader on the regional, national, and international stage.
To identify the next Dean, we need a concerted effort that engages the entire community, working with members of the search committee. You can assist in the search process by using your personal contacts and networks to identify outstanding candidates for this position and to make the opportunity widely known.
To suggest potential candidates or forward nominations, or to send inquiries or comments to the entire search team, please email: MarylandAGNRDean@wittkieffer.com.
AGNR Search Committee:
Dr. Samuel Graham, Chair | Professor & Dean, ENGR-A. James Clark School of Engineering
Kevin M. Atticks | Secretary, MD Dept of Agriculture
Parama Bhattacharjee | Grad Student
Betsy Beise | Senior Associate Provost, SVAAP-Academic Planning and Programs
Jennifer Bentlejewski | Sr Agent and Western MD Area Ext. Director, AGNR-UME-Garrett
Amy Burk | Professor and Director, AGNR- Undergrad Program, Animal and Avian Sciences
John Erwin | Professor and Chair, AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Paul Goeringer | Principal Faculty Specialist, AGNR-Agricultural & Resource Economics
Joanna Goger | Principal Lecturer, ENSP, AGNR-College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Raven Herron | Undergrad Student
Jorge Holzer | Associate Professor, AGNR-Agricultural & Resource Economics
James MacDonald | Research Professor, AGNR-Agricultural & Resource Economics
Jianghong Meng | Professor & Director, AGNR-Nutrition and Food Science, JIFSAN – CFS3
Diana Obanda | Assistant Professor, AGNR-Nutrition and Food Science
Utpal Pal | Professor, AGNR-Veterinary Medicine Program
Norman Pruitt | Director, AGNR-Dean-Office of HR and Compliance, and Diversity Programs
Marty Rabenhorst | Professor, AGNR-Environmental Science & Technology
Ginny Rosenkranz | Principal Agent Associate, AGNR-UME-Wicomico
Paula Shrewsbury | Professor, CMNS-Entomology
Rebecka Tetter | Manager, AGNR-Institute of Applied Agriculture
Jessica Vernon | Assistant Dean, AGNR-Dean-Finance and Management
Lynn Mullineaux | Provost Office Support staff
Sincerely,
Jennifer King Rice
Senior Vice President and Provost
She/Her/Hers