One of the new CA&ES leaders to join Dean Helene Dillard (right) is viticulture and enology professor Susan Ebeler (left), who recently became associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs.
One of the new CA&ES leaders to join Dean Helene Dillard (right) is viticulture and enology professor Susan Ebeler (left), who recently became associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs.

Dean's Message: Ever Ready

Nov 14, 2014 — Helene R. Dillard, Dean — CA&ES Outlook Magazine — University of California, Davis

Strong leadership helps prepare CA&ES students to make an impact.

Our college educates students to address global challenges we hear about every day—climate change, obesity, food security, sustainable food production systems, economic policy, labor, agricultural development, and environmental management. 

Strategic planning and strong leadership help keep CA&ES at the forefront on these critical issues. One of the most important leadership positions in the college is associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs (UAP). After nine years of outstanding service as associate dean for UAP, entomology professor Diane Ullmanhas returned to teaching and research. Ullman has passed the baton to Susan Ebeler, a professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology.

Sue comes well-qualified for the job. She previously served as chair of the college’s Undergraduate Program Review Committee, where she advocated for program needs in the areas of student advising and support for laboratory, field, and studio classes. She also is a member of the CA&ES Undergraduate Advising Review Workgroup. Sue is passionate about improving the undergraduate experience for CA&ES students.

Another member of my team dedicated to excellence in our college is Mary Delany, who has been appointed to a five-year term as CA&ES executive associate dean. Mary is a professor of animal science and has served in several key leadership roles in the college. She has been an associate dean, chair of the Department of Animal Science, and recently she led the college as interim dean for 17 months. I have worked closely with Mary since I began my appointment as dean, and I value her commitment to the college.

Strong leadership throughout our college helps us provide the quality of education our students deserve. Students are drawn to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for our first-rate academics, a sense of community, and our outstanding faculty and staff mentors. We currently offer 30 majors to the nearly 6,300 undergraduate students enrolled in our college.

Many of our undergraduates also go beyond the classroom to get hands-on training during their years at UC Davis. Through internships, part-time work, and research activities, our students learn on the job, applying their academic knowledge to real-world challenges.

When they graduate, our bright and innovative students are ready to be leaders in their fields, primed to develop solutions to global challenges in agriculture, the environment, and human sciences. We are proud of their abilities, and trust that you will be, too.