College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Mario Ferruzzi prioritizes listening, collaboration in first six months
After engaging with faculty, students, and stakeholders, Ferruzzi identified his priorities as community and ecological health, land and water use, and workforce development.
Seeing opportunities where others see roadblocks is a skill that has served Mario Ferruzzi well.
Appointed the new dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) in October of 2024, Ferruzzi stepped into the role during a period of rapid change in higher education — and with the fall semester already in full swing. While this would seem like a hectic time to join a college in a leadership role, Ferruzzi said it gave him a whirlwind introduction to the ins and outs of one of the most multifaceted colleges at Virginia Tech.
“People are coming to me with their needs and ideas, which is really what you want as a new leader,” Ferruzzi said. “One thing that has been solidified for me after meeting with farmers, legislators, students, Extension agents, and faculty is the tremendous value that CALS has to the university and the commonwealth.”
Hitting the ground listening
Poised to be a steady hand to guide the college through changing expectations for higher education, Ferruzzi's first few months were a flurry of legislative sessions, stakeholder meetings, department roundtables, and community events. He toured six of the university’s 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers. He visited Richmond and attended state legislative sessions five times and attended four federal legislative sessions in Washington, D.C. He held group discussions with each of the college’s units and visited classes to interact with students.
“He has really hit the ground running in terms of building relationships, listening to input from key stakeholders and university partners and understanding what makes CALS so unique,” said Katie Frazier, chair of the CALS Dean’s Advisory Council and chief brand officer at Farm Credit of the Virginias.
According to Ferruzzi, something that quickly became apparent is that the college’s strength comes from the dynamic range of its people.
“Our identity is very much shaped by our departments and the people in them, and they each approach things a bit differently, which is incredibly valuable for us as a college,” Ferruzzi said. “I've been very impressed by the energy level of the students I’ve met – by their desire to engage with leadership and talk about what their concerns are.”
Common interests, commonwealth
In addition to getting to know the college's people, Ferruzzi’s goal is to pinpoint college priorities that will inform where resources are spent when setting the college’s next budget. Ferruzzi said he wants to be in his role for a yearlong budget cycle before formalizing a strategic plan, but after spending the last several months traveling the commonwealth to better understand the college’s role in it, he has identified several vital areas of focus.
“Traditional funding sources aren’t keeping pace with what we’d need to give students a high-quality educational experience, so we have to adapt and be innovative in how we fund programs and operations,” Ferruzzi said. “Partnerships with our stakeholders in the private sector are needed to advance innovative educational experiences and alignment to address key workforce needs across our major industries in agriculture and life sciences.”
Priorities will include workforce and economic development, land and water use, and health – of not only people but also communities, resources, plants, and animals. These remain areas of concern for Virginians facing an avian flu outbreak, strained food supply chains, and the ongoing pressures of inflation.
“During my three years as secretary, I have repeatedly witnessed these challenges firsthand,” said Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr, who graduated from the college in 1995. “Prioritizing workforce development is essential to equipping the next generation of agricultural professionals with the skills needed to meet the growing demands of agriculture and biotechnology. Strengthening support for rural economic development will foster stronger, healthier communities by creating job opportunities and encouraging the growth of family farms.”
Community health is an important growth area for the college, said Ferruzzi, citing the college’s deeply integrated role within rural communities as the university’s home for Virginia Cooperative Extension.
“Virginia Tech is a land-grant university, which means we operate on the belief that thriving colleges help create thriving communities,” he said. “To do that, we have to be responsive to emerging challenges as they come. I think one of the most impressive examples of that is how Virginia Cooperative Extension is continuing to assist Virginians affected by things like drought and the recent floods.”
Sowing seeds for the future
Many who have met with Ferruzzi said his glass-half-full leadership style inspires confidence in the college's ability to adapt to changing times.
Joe Guthrie '89, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and a college alumnus, has already collaborated with Ferruzzi on multiple projects and came away impressed with his penchant for forward thinking.
“I am excited about VDACS being part of the conversation in the long-term vision for CALS,” he said. “Dr. Ferruzzi has been very proactive in seeking opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.”
Ferruzzi said that if anything has been impressed upon him in all his interactions with stakeholders, it’s that so many have a stake in the college’s success.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Virginia’s economy, and for more than 150 years, CALS has been its steadfast partner,” Ferruzzi said. “As we face new challenges in land use, public health, and workforce readiness, our college stands ready to lead with science, service, and a commitment to the communities we serve. The road ahead is complex, but with the right partnerships and purpose, we’re well-positioned to shape solutions that will serve Virginia and the country for generations.”