The University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences named John Foltz as the new interim dean in December 2012.
Amrah Canul | Argonaut
John Foltz, left, interim dean for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, meets with Heidi Grunwald and Thomas Guterbock, who are part of the review team for the Social Science Research Unit of the Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, Thursday in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Foltz served nine years as associate dean and director of academic programs for the college and has been at the university since 1991, according to UI.
“I am excited to serve in this interim role, helping to move the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences forward,” Foltz said.
UI President M. Duane Nellis said Foltz is a veteran administrator in the college and has proved himself as an innovative leader.
“He is known statewide and has a track record that inspires confidence in his ability to serve as interim dean,” Nellis said.
Nellis said the time Foltz spent as associate dean will benefit him in carrying out the duties of his current role.
Foltz said part of his responsibilities will be to provide continuity and stability for CALS while the search continues for a permanent dean, and said he will do anything a permanent dean would.
“The dean represents the college on the university’s Provost’s Council, which meets weekly to work on important issues for the university,” Foltz said.
Foltz said his job includes making the CALS’ presentations to the Idaho Legislature about funding for research and extension activities.
Foltz said other items the college will work on include moving forward on the Idaho National Center for Livestock and Environmental Studies and increasing corporate and individual donations to endow named professorships and scholarships. Foltz will also help hire faculty and staff to fill vacant positions within the college.
“The dean helps to provide some vision and leadership for where we are going as a college,” Foltz said.
Foltz said he anticipates six to nine months for the college to find a permanent dean. He says it might be up to a year before the chosen person will be able to start work at the university.
Foltz said he is unsure what he will decide to do after a permanent dean is chosen.
“I may end up being a candidate for the permanent Dean position, and would be interested in that,” Foltz said. “If not, I plan to return to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs position.”
Erik Fink can be reached at arg-news.uidaho.edu