Open forums announced for finalists for College of Natural Resources and Environment dean
The search committee for the next dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment invites the campus community to participate in virtual and in-person open forum sessions for the three finalists who will visit the campus in late March and early April.
The new dean will replace Paul Winistorfer, who announced his retirement effective this fall, after 16 years of leadership and service to the college and Virginia Tech.
Kevin Pitts, dean of the College of Science and chair of the search committee, invites members of the campus community to meet finalists during their open forum discussions. Questions may be submitted during the discussions and feedback on candidates can be shared with the search committee following each session.
Joel Snodgrass
Open Forum: March 31, 3:30-4:30 p.m. with a reception to follow
Cascades Room at The Inn at Virginia Tech or Zoom
Snodgrass is an academic leader with extensive experience in research, teaching, and administration. He currently serves as the department head and professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech, a position he has held since August 2014. Snodgrass has a robust academic and research background, holding a bachelor's degree in biology from Guilford College, a master's degree in zoology from the University of Central Florida, and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Georgia.
A. Alonso Aguirre
Open Forum: April 2, 3:30-4:30 p.m. with a reception to follow
Cascades Room at The Inn at Virginia Tech or Zoom
Aguirre is dean of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. His academic mission is to provide future environmental science, sustainability, and policy leaders with unique educational and research opportunities that are transformational and transdisciplinary in nature. Aguirre earned his DVM at the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico and his master's degree in wildlife biology and environmental health and Ph.D. in wildlife biology and protected areas management from Colorado State.
Saskia van de Gevel
Open forum: April 7, 3:30-4:30 p.m. with a reception to follow
Cascades Room at The Inn at Virginia Tech or Zoom
Van de Gevel is a distinguished academic leader with over 16 years of leadership experience in higher education and with the National Geographic Society. In higher education and at the National Geographic Society, she has consistently championed shared governance, honesty, and a supportive work environment. van de Gevel has an interdisciplinary background earning a bachelor's degree in forest science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Tennessee.
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 of Natural Resources and Environment is home to a diverse group of academic and research programs including forestry, forest products, fish and wildlife conservation, and geography, while developing new degree programs and majors, elevating faculty scholarship and expertise, and enhancing facilities and teaching and research capacity.
Search updates for dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment are posted and available on the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost website.