Three finalists have been named in the search for a dean of the University of Hawaiʻi’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
CTAHR focuses on research and extension programs in tropical agriculture and food systems. It also does work in family and consumer science, as well as natural resource management.
The college is an important support system for local producers.
The appointed dean will serve as a member of the state Board of Agriculture and the director for research and cooperative extension.
“We look forward to meeting the candidates as we work towards identifying the next dean of a college integral to solutions to current and future challenges in food systems, food security, natural resources management, community resiliency and human well-being across the Pacific-Asia region,” said UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno in a statement.
“As always, we encourage UH faculty, staff, students and the public to come out and meet the candidates, and we look forward to receiving their feedback," Bruno said.
Noelle Cockett is a professor of animal, dairy and veterinary science at and the former president of Utah State University.
John Killefer is a professor of animal science at South Dakota State University and a former South Dakota corn endowed dean.
Parwinder Grewal is the former president of Vermont State University and former executive vice president for research, graduate studies and new program development for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Each of the finalists has been scheduled for a three-day campus visit this fall and will include a public presentation and meetings with faculty, students and administrators.
Cockett will visit from Oct. 25-27, and her public presentation is on Oct. 26. Killefer’s visit is from Nov. 6-8, and his public presentation is on Nov. 7. Grewal’s campus visit will take place on Nov. 15-17, and his public presentation is on Nov. 16.
Bruno will select the next dean of the college. UH President David Lassner is the final authority on approving the selection.
Ania Wieczorek has been serving as CTAHR’s interim dean since June of 2022.
