University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Biography


Dean Scott Smith
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Education:
B.A.: Biology, Cornell University, 1971
M.S.: Soil Science, Cornell University, 1975
Ph.D.: Soil Microbiology, Michigan State University, 1978

Positions Held:

  • Dean, College of Agriculture; Director of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station, January 2001.
  • Associate Dean for Research and Associate Director of the
    Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station; 1999-2000.
  • Chair, Department of Agronomy, 1989-99.
  • Faculty Member, Department of Agronomy, Univ. of Kentucky, since 1978.
  • Professor of Soil Biology, since 1988.

Record of Research and Teaching Activities:

  • Between 1978 and 1993 I conducted research and taught in the area of soil microbiology. My specific area of work was nitrogen in soils. Most of my published work relates to the impact of agricultural practices on nitrogen fertilizer, the relationship of N transformations to environmental quality, and the ecology of the bacteria acting on soil N. I taught soil microbiology, plus other courses in agronomy and natural resources.
  • Approximately 60 refereed journal articles and book chapters.
  • Competitive funding, as PI, from NSF and USDA.
  • Research administrator or coordination of extramural research projects and programs totaling approximately $30 million since 1998.

Selected Professional Activities, Service and Recognition:

  • Numerous state and university boards/committees, for example: Ky Agricultural Development Board, Farm Bureau Board, Ky State Fair Board, Chancellor's Search Committee, 1995; Chair Lexington Campus Blue Ribbon Committee, 1998; Research and Graduate Education (Reedy) Task Force- Life Sciences Chair, 1997-8.
  • Technical Editor: Soil Science Society of America Journal, 1991-6.
  • Visiting Scientist: U.C. Berkeley, 1984-85.
  • Member: Soil Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.
  • Fellow: American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society
    of America
  • Interim Provost, University of kentucky 2005-06

Administrative Responsibilities:
Dean, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky (appointed 1/1/01) and Director of Land Grant Programs
This position holds integrated administrative responsibilities for research, instruction and extension. The Dean oversees the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The total college budget from all sources is in excess of $130 million. The Dean also has administrative responsibilities for The School of Human Environmental Sciences. The college includes approximately 250 faculty, 400 county agents and roughly 2,000 total employees.

The Cooperative Extension Service has offices, agents and support staff in all 120 Kentucky counties. Kentucky extension continues to receive strong public support and enjoys levels of participation, volunteer support and local extension funding among the highest in the nation.

Undergraduate enrollment exceeds 2,000 and continues to grow. Graduate enrollment is approximately 340. Innovative interdisciplinary majors in Biotechnology, Natural Resources Conservation and Management, and Agricultural Leadership Education and Communications represent growth areas and have had significant positive impact on many academic aspects of the college.

The College of Agriculture has assumed a central position in several broad-based and visible research and technology-related initiatives. College programs in plant science, equine and animal health, bioengineering and community/economic development have figured prominently in, and been substantially supported by state and federal investment. The College is a lead partner in Kentucky's massive investment in agricultural development (tobacco transition efforts and master tobacco settlement funding), leading us to a renewed emphasis on support for agricultural diversification and entrepreneurship.

Broadly defined administrative priorities include:

  • Enhancing and more efficiently delivering support for local level extension programs
  • Clearly defining appropriate areas of opportunity and need in research
  • Sustaining quality of instructional programs while increasing
    productivity
  • Expanding a more diverse base of funding support for all elements of our mission
  • Building partnerships beyond the college to more responsively meet the rapidly changing needs of our constituents