AMES, Iowa – Howard Tyler, an animal science professor, has been named the assistant dean for student services for the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Tyler will begin serving as assistant dean on June 1. For the past 25 years Tyler has served as an Iowa State professor with research, teaching and advising roles in the animal science department.
During that time he also served as the co-coordinator for the Animal Science/Dairy Science/Pre-Vet Learning Community. In the learning community he worked with more than 300 incoming freshmen each year to enhance their learning experience.
During his career at Iowa State, Tyler said his primary goal has been to help students achieve their potential. As assistant dean he plans to continue to attract high achieving undergraduate students and continue to increase retention and graduation rates.
“Collaboration will be crucial to the success of our programs and the development of new innovative programs,” Tyler said. “We need to collaborate with counterparts in other colleges and programs at other land-grant universities.“
Tyler succeeds Tom Polito, an assistant professor of agronomy, who has worked in that position for 38 years. Polito, who plans to retire in May, saw changes in technology over the years and instilled a student-centered focus for student services. The changes he implemented helped the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences reach record enrollments in recent years.
David Acker, associate dean of academic and global programs, said Tyler is committed to student success and will be an asset to the student services office.
“We are sorry to see Tom Polito retire, but excited to have someone who has the potential to fill his shoes,” Acker said. “Throughout his career at Iowa State Howard has focused on helping students succeed, which is also the goal of our college.”
Tyler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science and nutritional science from Illinois State University; received his master’s degree in animal nutrition and a doctorate in animal science from North Carolina State University.