Kansas State University has named Ernie Minton as College of Agriculture interim dean and interim director of K State Research and Extension.
Minton, associate dean of research and graduate programs for the college and associate director of research for K-State Research and Extension, will replace John Floros on July 1. In the interim role, Minton will be the chief administrative officer for the College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension. He will be responsible for overall program leadership, strategic direction, fiscal stewardship, fund development, policy formulation and impact assessment in accordance with the university’s visionary plan, K-State 2025.
“As the nation’s first operational land-grant university, K-State must continue to lead the nation in agricultural research and outreach — a charge that Dr. Minton has been contributing to for more than 30 years,” said April Mason, provost and senior vice president. “Dr. Minton’s professional experience, leadership and optimism will serve the college and KSRE well in continuing progress in teaching, research and extension during this interim period.”
Minton, professor of animal sciences since 1995 and a member of the faculty since 1983, has served as interim associate director of research and technology transfer for the Kansas Agriculture Experiment Station from 2008-2009 and associate director of research and technology transfer for the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station from 2009-2016. Among his many honors and awards, he received the 2017 Experiment Station National Excellence in Leadership Award from the North Central Regional Association of Experiment Station Directors and became a fellow of the Food Systems Leadership Institute in 2012.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the College of Agriculture and Kansas State University Research and Extension,” Minton said. “I look forward to working with our students, faculty, staff and stakeholders to maintain our positive momentum through this interim period in preparation for a permanent dean and director.”
Minton has taken part in numerous leadership trainings and recently participated as an instructor in the North Central Regional Administrative Boot Camps for new administrators. He serves on several national and regional boards including as 2018 chair of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Board on Agricultural Assembly Task Force on Strategic Realignment of National Institute of Food and Agriculture Budget Lines. Minton has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree in animal science and a doctorate in animal reproduction, both from Oklahoma State University.
