June 17, 2004
Iowa State University's College of Agriculture is consolidating leadership for its academic and international programs into one senior-level position.
Beginning July 1, David Acker will begin a six-month transition into the new position of associate dean for academic and global programs.
The new position combines Acker's current responsibilities as assistant dean for national and global programs with Eric Hoiberg's duties as associate dean for academic programs. Hoiberg is retiring after 30 years as an Iowa State sociology faculty member and administrator. He will continue as an associate dean through Dec. 31 of this year and assist in the transition. He has served as associate dean since 1995.
The College is combining the two positions to reduce administrative costs in the wake of several years of budget cuts. The change also will further integrate international activities of faculty, staff and students into the academic mission of the College. ISU has been among the nation's leaders in sending agriculture students abroad to study, with 228 students studying in 21 countries last year. More than 125 College of Agriculture faculty were active in international programs.
As associate dean for academic and global programs, Acker will provide leadership in academic programs in the College, including curriculum development, student services, student recruitment, scholarships, study-abroad programs and international partnerships.
Acker has been the director of the College's international programs since 1995 and has been an assistant dean since 2001. He also is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies.