Two additional candidates were considered in the re-election of the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Applied Sciences (CAAS) on February 21-22, 2024, at Alcorn State University (ASU).
ASU conducted open on-campus interviews for the three finalist Dean candidates in a three-day interview session. Each finalist had an entire day to answer questions from the community, CAAS students, CAAS faculty, CAAS department chairs and the Dean’s Council and CAAS Alumni, with time slots for each designated group. Dr. Dexter Wakefield, currently serving as Professor and Interim Dean and Director of Land Grant programs of ASU’s College of Agricultural and Applied Sciences, is being considered along with two other finalists. He will be interviewed February 23, 2024, in a similar fashion.
Dr. Kwaku Addo kicked off the three-day session on February 21, tending carefully to the questions and concerns of the students. Addo graduated from Washington State University with a Ph.D. in Food Science as well as obtaining a Master of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Idaho. He was an Associate Dean at Prairie View A&M University and the University of Kentucky. “As I was looking at the position [Dean], I realized that there will be challenges. My goal is to overcome those challenges.” April Jones, an Agricultural Business major, asked, “What tools or programs do you plan to use to advance the education in the Agricultural program at Alcorn?” Addo responded, “We wouldn’t be here without the students. It’s important that we do everything we can to make sure students are successful so that they can leave and make an impact.”
On February 22, the campus had a chance to interview Dr. Doze Butler. Butler earned her Ph.D. in Clothing and Fashion Merchandising from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She continued her career at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she served as Dean/Director of the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences. Butler encouraged and assured students, stating, “Every time that I’m presented with a concern, I try to present a solution.”
The event concluded with a Q&A session from the audience.
