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Leadership

Strengthening our mission and values through dedicated leadership.

Leading through experience. Innovating through empowerment. 

The leadership in the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences are also experts in their own fields and are committed to shepherding our legacy and cultivating our continued success.

Charles-Sander Dean George W. Smith

Dr. George W. Smith became Charles-Sander Dean of the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences on August 1, 2026.

As dean, he is committed to strengthening the college's impact across Arizona and beyond by fostering innovation, expanding partnerships, and advancing solutions to challenges facing agriculture, natural resources, communities, and public health.

Before joining the University of Arizona, Dr. Smith served as senior associate dean for research and director of AgBioResearch at Michigan State University, where he led a statewide agricultural research enterprise supporting more than 300 scientists. An internationally recognized reproductive physiologist and leader in agricultural research, he has authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and helped shape national research priorities through leadership in agInnovation. Raised on a livestock farm in Idaho, Dr. Smith has dedicated his career to advancing the land-grant mission through research, education, and public engagement.

Portrait of Dr. Smith

George W. Smith

Charles-Sander Dean, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences
Professor, Animal Sciences
CALES-Dean@arizona.edu

Executive Leadership

Zelieann Craig headshot

Zelieann R. Craig

Assistant Dean, Research
Assistant Dean, Graduate Education
Associate Professor, Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor, BIO5 Institute
Associate Professor, Physiological Sciences - GIDP
zelieann@arizona.edu
James Hunt Headshot

James Hunt

Bart Cardon Associate Dean, Career and Academic Services
Professor of Practice, Human Development and Family Science
jeh@arizona.edu

School Directors

  • Betsy Arnold, Interim Director and Professor, School of Plant Sciences
  • Laura Scaramella, Director, Norton School of Human Ecology
  • D. Scott Merrell, Director and Professor, School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences
  • Kathryn Stoner, Professor and Director, School of Natural Resources and the Environment
  • Kenneth Wilund, Director and Professor, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness

Department Heads

  • Joel Cuello, Interim Department Head and Professor, Biosystems Engineering
  • Craig Rasmussen, Department Head and Professor, Environmental Science
  • Laura Scaramella, Interim Department Head, Agricultural Education, Technology and Innovation
  • Bruce Tabashnik, Department Head and Professor, Entomology
  • Gary Thompson, Department Head and Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics