Alice N. Pell, Cornell professor of animal science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), has been named vice provost for international relations, effective July 1. She has been director of Cornell's International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD) since 2005.

Pell succeeds David Wippman, who is leaving to become dean of the University of Minnesota Law School.

"In her own research on three continents and as director of CIIFAD, Alice Pell has developed a keen understanding of the role that universities can play in building human and institutional capacity on a global scale," said Cornell President David Skorton. "As Cornell continues to expand its studies and activities internationally and to explore a variety of models for international education and research, I know she will build upon and extend the good work of David Wippman as our new vice provost for international relations."

Said Cornell Provost Biddy Martin: "Alice has a long history of international research, teaching, outreach and capacity building. I am delighted that she will devote her energies, now as vice provost, to enhancing international studies, international outreach and institutional partnership in key regions of the world."

Under Pell, the vice provost's office will assume oversight of two of Cornell's universitywide international programs: CIIFAD, now located in CALS, and the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, currently part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Pell said that she and the directors of CIIFAD and Einaudi will work to ensure that the breadth and quality of Cornell's international programs are apparent to people within and outside Cornell.

"We want these two centers to be truly cross-university programs that bring together the many exceptional efforts under way at Cornell," Pell said.

"Alice Pell's active involvement in understanding and addressing world issues makes her ideally suited to oversee Cornell's international relations," said Peter Lepage, the Harold Tanner Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Under her leadership, the Einaudi Center is certain to build upon its many recent successes."

Susan Henry, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS, said: "Alice provides incomparable leadership for the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development in developing sustainable food systems and reducing rural poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America. By mobilizing faculty and students to work globally on projects that ensure political stability, food security, rural development, public health and effective education, Alice has consistently shown exceptional vision, drive and determination. Alice is an outstanding choice to serve as Cornell's next vice provost for international relations, and I know she will greatly enhance Cornell's reputation as the 'land-grant university to the world.'"

Pell's colleague Ronnie Coffman, professor of plant breeding, described her as "an accomplished researcher, an outstanding teacher and adviser" and someone who "cares deeply about international development and improving the welfare of people."

He said, "The vice provost for international relations is a key position for Cornell, and it is good to see the torch being passed from one outstanding individual, David Wippman, to another, Alice Pell."

As vice provost, Pell also will oversee Cornell's ongoing Africa Initiative, which includes development efforts, academic symposia and research.

Pell expressed optimism that she will be able to continue her research in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Most of her current research centers on tropical farming systems, with an emphasis on Africa. One of her main projects involves interdisciplinary research on the relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in the densely populated Kenyan highlands.

An avid reader, Pell said she feels the arts and humanities play a key role in outreach work in developing countries and other parts of the world, and she hopes to find ways to exemplify that importance during her leadership.

"The best way to learn about a country's culture is not to read a guidebook, but to read its literature," Pell said. She also pointed to the diversity of Cornell's campus as a starting point for coming to know a wide variety of cultures and influences.

Pell is a graduate of Radcliffe College with an A.B. in architectural science. After serving in the Peace Corps, she earned a master's degree in international education from Harvard University. She also earned a master's degree and Ph.D. in animal science at the University of Vermont, before coming to Cornell in 1990 as an associate professor.