AMES, Iowa — Mike Retallick, a professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies at Iowa State University, has been named its department chair.
Retallick’s appointment is effective July 1. He succeeds William Miller, who served as interim chair for seven years, and will continue as a professor in the department.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Retallick, an accomplished teacher and scholar, in continuing the department’s great work. Educating agricultural students is the core of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,” said Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the college. “And my thanks go to Dr. Miller for his leadership and service to the department.
Retallick is an Iowa State alumnus, earning a doctorate in agricultural education in 2005. He also earned a master’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville.
“I’m honored and humbled to serve in this leadership role for a nationally recognized department in a college ranked among the best in the world,” Retallick said.
He joined Iowa State in 2001 as the coordinator of academic advising and undergraduate admissions for the department. Retallick became assistant professor in 2006, associate professor in 2012 and professor in 2016.
Last year, Retallick was one of six educators to receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators Teacher Mentor Award. He also received the Iowa FFA Association’s 2015 Distinguished Service Award and was named the AgOnline 2014 Teacher of the Year by ISU’s Brenton Center for Agricultural Instruction and Technology Transfer.