Dear Colleagues,
After careful consideration and reflection, I have decided I will not seek reappointment and will complete my term as Vice Chancellor, Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research at the end of this calendar year. This was not an easy decision, but it is one that will allow me to dedicate my full attention to standing up the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA). Beyond December 31, I have been asked by Chancellor Sharp and President Banks to serve as Director of the IHA, and provide oversight of the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center. As you know, I have spent a great deal of time and effort establishing both of these entities and this is an opportunity that very much excites me. Our recent successes make us well-positioned to have significant impacts in positioning agriculture as the solution to some of the greatest challenges facing society.
As I look back on these past three years, I am incredibly proud of the vision we have built together for Texas A&M AgriLife. I took on the role in March 2018 with aspirations to nurture a culture of transparency, equity, and effective academic faculty governance; to create an environment where world class scholars and students blossom; and to enhance diversity and inclusion within AgriLife. Working together, we have made great progress toward these goals.
The organization continues to thrive as one of the top research institutions in agriculture and natural resources and the College this year made major advances in the 2022 NICHE Best Colleges in America Rankings as the #2 college nationally in its class for student success and educational value. AgriLife’s successes are a direct result of our strengths as a united community dedicated to advancing the land-grant mission. Texas A&M AgriLife is now well-positioned to meet the needs of a changing Texas, while advancing opportunity for faculty, staff and students. Of this, I have no doubt.
No state, and no land-grant university, is better positioned than Texas and Texas A&M to champion agriculture, and specifically Texas agriculture, as the solution to human health, environmental health and economic prosperity for all we serve. It’s one of the reasons I came to Texas and I’m honored to dedicate my time more fully to meeting these goals by operationalizing the IHA and Evidence Center.
While my role is changing, I remain committed to the mission and AgriLife community. Thank you for all you do for agriculture and life sciences, and for allowing me the opportunity and honor to serve as Vice Chancellor, Dean and Director. I wish you and your families a joyous holiday season and happy, healthy and prosperous 2022. I look forward to engaging with many of you in my new role and sharing exciting progress for this important endeavor for the state of Texas, the nation and the world. Chancellor Sharp and President Banks have set in motion plans for new leadership, which you will be hearing about over the next few days.
Thank you,
Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor and Dean, Agriculture and Life Sciences
Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research