AMES, Iowa — Joe Colletti, senior associate dean in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and associate director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, has been named the college’s interim dean, effective Nov. 20. He will also serve as interim director of the Experiment Station.
Colletti takes over for Wendy Wintersteen, who was recently selected as Iowa State’s 16th president.
“Joe is familiar with every aspect of the college’s mission and operations, and its service to the people of Iowa,” said President-Select Wintersteen. “He will maintain the strong momentum in our academic and research programs, and work with stakeholders both on and off campus to share our expertise with the world.”
In making the appointment, Jonathan Wickert, senior vice president and provost, noted Colletti’s stature on campus will facilitate a smooth transition to the next permanent dean.
“Joe Colletti has a well-deserved reputation for collegiality and service that will help the college and university move forward during a critical time of record enrollments and budget challenges,” Wickert said. “I am confident he will do very well in the interim role.”
Colletti, who joined Iowa State in 1978, holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Humboldt State University in California, and master’s and doctorate degrees in forest economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was appointed senior associate dean in 2006 after serving as interim chair of the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management from 2004-2005.
In his current positions, Colletti oversees budgets, resources and personnel for the college and Experiment Station; and facilitates research related to the bioeconomy, including development of the university’s BioCentury Research Farm.
“It has been a great privilege to watch the college grow in both stature and impact over the last 40 years, and I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the college during the interim period,” Colletti said.
A national search for the next permanent dean will be launched in the coming weeks.