Following a competitive internal search, the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University has named Dr. Yanyun Zhao its newest Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs. She replaces Dr. Dan Edge who served in that role prior to his retirement at the end of 2021.
A long-term faculty member in the College, Yanyun has most recently served as a Professor and Value-Added Food Product Specialist in the Department of Food Science and Technology. Renowned internationally for her work in sustainable food packaging and the reduction of food waste, Zhao holds a Ph.D. in Food Engineering from Louisiana State University and an M.S. in Heat and Mass Transfer from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology in China.
“We are extremely pleased that Dr. Zhao will be stepping into this important role on the leadership team for the College,” said Dr. Alan Sams, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Agriculture Experiment Station. “Her proven commitment to the success of this institution, her ability to mentor peers across all segments of their career and her dedication to advancing inclusive opportunities for current and prospective faculty makes her an invaluable addition to the future of the College.”
The Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs is responsible for creating College policies and programs that support faculty success and impact from onboarding, through promotion and tenure, and through their entire professional career. This includes mentoring, leadership development, and making sure faculty receive recognition through awards and other acknowledgements of their success. As a member of the senior administrative leadership team, this position is also responsible for integrating these roles across the teaching, research, and extension mission areas of the College in a way that promotes equity and inclusive excellence.
“I am looking forward to being a part of a dynamic leadership team and for the opportunity to be able to share my passion for supporting faculty career and professional development,” said Zhao, “I’ve received a great deal of support in my time at OSU and see this as a chance to advance the future of the College around principles of inclusion and academic excellence that serve the diverse identities and aspirations of faculty at all levels.”
Dr. Zhao will begin her responsibilities as Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs on February 1.