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Wendy Powers: New Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The University of Maryland (UMD) has recently announced the appointment of Wendy Powers as the new Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, effective July 1, 2025. With a deep commitment to promoting impactful scholarship and collaborative educational partnerships, Powers aims to enhance the college's already impressive legacy, which spans over 150 years, in serving the public good.

In her new role, Powers will collaborate closely with faculty, staff, and students to uphold UMD’s mission as a land-grant institution, focusing on sustainable practices in agriculture that benefit both Maryland and the larger global community. Furthermore, she will also hold the position of director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and University of Maryland Extension (UME). UME plays a critical role in providing grassroots support to Maryland communities through diverse program areas, including Agriculture and Food Systems, Environment and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, and Family and Consumer Sciences. The program has offices in every Maryland county and Baltimore City, in addition to four research and education centers.

Dr. Jennifer King Rice, the Senior Vice President and Provost, expressed confidence in Powers’ abilities, noting her impressive track record in leading agricultural colleges and her dedication to achieving their core missions. Powers previously held the position of Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean at Washington State University (WSU), where she oversaw 13 departments and schools, serving more than 2,500 students while successfully securing substantial funding for programs dedicated to agricultural sciences.

Powers expressed enthusiasm in her new role, emphasizing the significance of UMD as one of the nation's premier research institutions. She looks forward to forging connections and innovative opportunities within the university and its broader community. Her leadership at WSU has showed tangible results; not only did the college secure over $20 million annually in fundraising, but it also achieved unprecedented funding of $100 million in grants, improving its national ranking in agricultural sciences from 15th to 12th.

Before her tenure at WSU, Powers was an associate vice president for the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California, leading various outreach programs and overseeing numerous research initiatives across the state. Her career began at Iowa State University, followed by a position at Michigan State University, where she served not only as a faculty member but also as director of environmental stewardship initiatives.

Her extensive leadership experience has also included national roles within professional societies, focusing on policy development aimed at reducing the environmental impact of livestock production. Wendy Powers completed her formative education at Cornell University, earned an M.S. in Dairy Science, and holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Florida.

In summary, the appointment of Wendy Powers marks an exciting development for the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. With her forward-thinking leadership style and commitment to public service, Powers is set to lead the college into its next phase of excellence, addressing immediate challenges while preparing students for the future of agriculture in our changing world.