Food Systems Leadership Institute Announces 2005 Scholars

The Food Systems Leadership Institute (FSLI), a partnership between the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, hosted by the University of North Carolina, has announced a select group of participants for its inaugural leadership institute.

Scholars will participate in a program dedicated to advancing and strengthening the food system by developing strong and effective leaders prepared to bring cultural change to food system organizations, with a special focus on our nation’s land-grant universities.

“Our nation’s food systems are critical to the high standard of living we enjoy in this country,” says Ken Swartzel, FSLI Director. “Shaping the food systems of the future to be productive, sustainable, and equitable will require strong leaders able to implement the vision, strategies, and partnerships to meet these goals. We are welcoming an excellent group of experienced leaders into the FSLI program who will fill these critical leadership roles.”

The FSLI is designed for experienced leaders motivated to further advance their knowledge and skills in leadership and food systems. A rigorous curriculum will develop their individual leadership, their ability to act as agents of change within their organizations, and their appreciation for broad and holistic perspectives on food systems.”

“The FSLI scholars will influence food system policies, learning, discovery, and engagement for many years to come,” says Mortimer Neufville, Executive Vice President of NASULGC, which secured a $1.1 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to develop and implement the FSLI. “They will be equipped to bring cultural change, moving toward more inclusive food system perspectives, and to develop creative, collaborative responses to the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

The University of North Carolina System is the host institution for the FSLI. The Ohio State University and University of Vermont are also partners in the FSLI, providing their expertise in leadership and food systems to the FSLI curriculum. Each of these three universities will host intensive residential sessions for the scholars.

2005 Scholars include:

• Dr. Anita Azarenko, Department Head, Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University
• Dr. Craig Beyrouty, Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Purdue University
• Dr. William Boggess, Department Head, Agriculture and Resource Economics, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University
• Dr. Jo Britt-Rankin, Associate Dean and Program Director, Human Environmental Sciences Extension, University of Missouri
• Dr. Clyde Chesney, Administrator, Cooperative Extension Program, Tennessee State University
• Dr. Dan Clay, Director, Institute of International Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University
• Dr. George Cooper, Deputy Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service—Science and Education Resources Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Dr. Joseph DiPietro, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida
• Dr. Kenneth Esbenshade, Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs, College of Agriculture and Life Science, North Carolina State University
• Dr. John Floros, Department Head and Professor of Food Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University
• Dr. Rory Fraser, Director, Center for Forest Ecosystems Assessment, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University
• Dr. Douglas O. Lantagne, Interim Director, UVM Extension, University of Vermont
• Dr. Gary Lemme, Dean, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, South Dakota State
• Dr. Linda C. Martin, Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Oklahoma State University
• Dr. Rob Miller, Director, Healthcare Professional Products, Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories
• Dr. Melissa Mixon, Associate Vice President, Division of Agriculture, Forestry, & Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University
• Dr. Michael Quart, Associate Vice Provost for Extension and Associate Director for University Extension, Iowa State University
• Dr. Keith Smith, Associate Vice President for Agriculture Administration, Director of University Extension, and Associate Dean, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University
• Dr. Linda Snetselaar, Chair Preventative Nutrition Education, and Professor, Department of Epidemiology College of Public Health, University of Iowa
• Dr. Susan Sumner, Department Head, Food Science & Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech University
• Dr. Larry W. Turner, Director of Cooperative Extension and Associate Dean for Extension, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky