The search committee for Colorado State University’s next dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences has selected four finalists to visit campus in April. The candidates will participate in interviews, tours and open forums with campus and community members. 

Open forums for each finalist will be held in-person on CSU’s Fort Collins campus, with a virtual meeting link for attendees from around the state. The dates, times and locations of the open forums are: 

• Candidate #1 Open Forum: Tuesday, April 9, 10-11 a.m.; Lory Student Center Room 372-74 | https://zoom.us/j/93654332515 
• Candidate #2 Open Forum: Tuesday, April 16, 10-11 a.m.; Lory Student Center Room 324 | https://zoom.us/j/92836531360 
• Candidate #3 Open Forum: Tuesday, April 23, 10-11 a.m.; Lory Student Center Room 372-74| https://zoom.us/j/92190194145 
• Candidate #4 Open Forum: Tuesday, April 30, 10-11 a.m.; Lory Student Center Room 372-74 | https://zoom.us/j/99660784885 

One business day prior to each open forum, each candidate’s cover letter, CV and evaluation form will be posted on the provost’s website. After each open forum, a recording will be available. 

About the search 

The dean serves as chief academic and executive officer of the college, overseeing responsibility for faculty and academic professional staff development, budgetary oversight and planning, academic and curricular issues, constituent engagement, fundraising and facilities development. 

Alonso Aguirre, dean of the Warner College of Natural Resources, and Sue VandeWoude, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, are serving as search committee co-chairs. 

The search committee members are:  

• Matt Camper – Assistant Dean of Teaching Practice and Academic Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences.   
• Terry Engle – Professor and Associate Department Head, Department of Animal Sciences. 
• Todd Gaines – Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Biology.   
• Mengmeng Gu – Professor and Head, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.   
• Mark Gustafson – Former CSU System Board of Governors, Agricultural Industry Executive.   
• Erin Karney – Executive Vice President, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.  
• Dallas May – Chair, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.   
• Paula Mills – Chief of Staff and Operations, College of Agricultural Sciences.  
• CJ Mucklow – Interim Director of Field Operations, CSU Extension.
• Taylor Szilagyi – Executive Vice President, Colorado Farm Bureau.
• Dawn Thilmany – Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.   
• Kelly Wrighton – Gordon and Joan Bishop Professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. 

Search support is being provided by Shamera Loose and Mary Dolce, with Emily Rogers serving as equal opportunity coordinator.