Dole Appointed Associate Dean

John Dole has been appointed associate dean and director of academic programs for NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Dole, who has served as interim associate dean since October 2016, has been an NC State faculty member for 17 years. He was head of the Department of Horticultural Science for five years and director of graduate programs for eight years. His research has focused on flowering and postharvest physiology, specifically related to commercial cut flowers and bedding and potted plants.

In announcing the appointment, CALS Dean Richard Linton said, “John has been a tremendous leader for CALS, as a faculty member, a department head, and most recently as the interim associate dean for academic programs.

“In the past year, John has led a number of significant projects, helping the college strengthen our student access programs and building recruitment efforts for our undergraduate students,” Linton said. “I look forward to welcoming John as an official member of my administrative team.”

Dole holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in horticulture from the University of Minnesota. Before coming to NC State, he served on the faculty at Oklahoma State University from 1989 until 2000.

He is president of the American Society for Horticultural Science and a founding member of the Seed Your Future campaign to promote horticulture and increase enrollment in university horticulture programs.

Dole said, “I am honored to become associate dean for academic programs. I am looking forward to doing what I can to support CALS and to support agriculture and life sciences, which are so important to North Carolina. Helping students find their passions and develop into contributing members of the community is immensely rewarding.”

Linton said that the college will move forward with a search for the Horticultural Science Department head position. Dr. Wayne G. Buhler continues to serve as interim head.