Decker

Daniel J. Decker, Cornell University professor in the Department of Natural Resources, has been named director of the new Office of Land-Grant Affairs (OLGA) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Susan A. Henry, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the college, made the announcement during the New York State Agricultural Society's annual meeting in Syracuse Jan. 6.

"In his new role as director of OLGA, Dan will provide oversight, coordination, coaching, assistance and resources for the college's portfolio of engagement activities with selected stakeholder organizations," said Henry. "He will help the college carry out our major land-grant obligations in ways that most effectively serve the needs of New York and its citizens. He will also act as senior adviser to the dean."

Cornell was designated New York's land-grant university when it was founded in 1865. CALS' teaching, research and outreach programs have been cornerstones of the universitys land-grant activities, and the land-grant mission has been a priority of the college since its inception.

"We are very proud of CALS' 100-plus years of service to Cornell's land-grant mission and look forward to continuing that tradition," said Decker. "Food and agriculture remain major global issues of importance to CALS, but today's land-grant mission in the college has broadened in response to society's concerns and emerging technologies. Every day, faculty, researchers and extension educators at CALS apply their talents and energies to improving people's lives and responding to society's changing needs. Our goal as a college is to help our faculty and staff be effective leaders, active collaborators and valued partners in a spectrum of efforts to address critical needs of society."

As director of OLGA, Decker will support CALS faculty and staff who serve as the college's representatives to various boards and committees across the state in public policy-making capacities. Decker will work with the directors of both college experiment stations and Cornell Cooperative Extension to articulate how CALS' research and outreach activities benefit the state of New York and its citizens. He will also act as the college's point of contact with Ron Seeber, the university's vice provost for land-grant affairs.

Decker is considered one of the college's foremost authorities on wildlife management. His current research and outreach efforts address wildlife management issues with respect to human-wildlife conflicts, and the integration of biological and human dimensions of wildlife management, as well as stakeholder engagement in community-based wildlife management and conflict issues.

Decker received his B.Sc. in 1974, his M.Sc. in 1976 and his Ph.D. in 1986, all from Cornell. He joined the Department of Natural Resources in 1976 as a research support specialist, was promoted to research associate then senior extension associate before being named assistant professor in 1988. He was promoted to associate professor in 1991 and full professor in 1998. Decker served as chair of the department from 1993 to 1996. From 1996 to 2001, he served the college as associate director of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES) in Ithaca. From 2001 to 2005, he served as associate dean of CALS and director of CUAES.