Search committee announced for dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment
Virginia Tech has named the committee tasked with overseeing a national search for the next dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment.
As the head of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, the dean serves as chief administrative officer of the college and is responsible for strategically leading the college’s academic and administrative operations. The college is home to a diverse group of academic and research programs including forestry, forest products, fish and wildlife conservation, and geography, and is developing new degree programs and majors, elevating faculty scholarship and expertise, and enhancing facilities and teaching and research capacity.
The new dean will replace Paul Winistorfer, who has announced his retirement effective fall 2025 after 16 years of leadership and service to the college and Virginia Tech.
The list of search committee members is as follows:
- Kevin Pitts, search committee chair, dean of the College of Science
- Tim Baird, associate professor, geography
- Anamaria Bukvic, assistant professor, geography
- Dan Cleveland, associate vice president, colleges and units, Advancement
- Kevin Edgar, professor, sustainable biomaterials
- Francesco Ferretti, assistant professor, fish and wildlife conservation
- Jennifer Gagnon, coordinator, Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program, forest resources and environmental conservation
- Mike Gutter, director, Virginia Cooperative Extension; associate dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Sarah Karpanty, professor, fish and wildlife conservation
- Joe Knight, department head, forest resources and environmental conservation
- Stacey Kuhar, executive assistant, forest resources and environmental conservation
- Mike Melo, chief executive officer, ITA International
- Garry Morgan, director for diversity, equity, and inclusion, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Patty Raun, Alumni Distinguished Professor, School of Performing Arts
- Bettina Ring, Virginia state director, The Nature Conservancy
- Maren Roman, professor, sustainable biomaterials
- Todd VandeVord, senior financial planning manager, Office of Budget and Financial Planning
The search committee will be supported by a staff that includes Leslie Stevens, project director for Faculty Affairs, and Peggy Vilardo, administrative assistant for Faculty Affairs.
Virginia Tech is partnering with WittKieffer to assist with the search process and receive nominations and applications for the position. The position description and application/nomination process will be posted shortly on the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost website.
