ExPlants

Dr. Greg Phillips, Agriculture and Technology dean, to step down and return to classroom, research

Dr. Greg Phillips, the current dean of the College of Agriculture and Technology at Arkansas State University, has decided to step down from that position and return to the classroom and the research laboratory. The transition is due to take place July 1.

Arkansas State University appreciates greatly the many contributions Dr. Greg Phillips has made to the university and the community during his past eight years,” said Dr. Dan Howard, Interim Chancellor at ASU. “We wish him only the best as he returns to the classroom to pursue further his research and teaching passions.”

Dr. Phillips has been studying the genetics of rice in relation to grain storage life and the development of rancidity. He will be continuing this research in hopes of identifying a strategy to greatly impede the development of grain decomposition in stored rice grain.

Dr. Glen Jones, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, said, “I thank Dr. Phillips for his leadership of the College of Agriculture and Technology and for his many contributions to the university and community during his tenure as dean.  While his administrative leadership will be missed, we are delighted that he will remain with the university as a professor in the College of Agriculture and Technology.”

Dr. Jones said Dr. David Beasley, Dean of the College of Engineering, will serve as the Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture and Technology beginning July 1.

“I greatly appreciate Dr. Beasley’s willingness to lead the college during this time of transition,” Dr. Jones continued.  “The university will begin a national search during the fall semester to identify a permanent dean.  The College of Agriculture and Technology continues to play an important role within the Jonesboro community and throughout our region.  Therefore, we will make every effort to identify a passionate leader who will build upon existing community relationships while leading the college to even greater heights in the areas of teaching, research, and service.”

Since his arrival in 2003, Phillips has modified the College of Agriculture and Technology undergraduate core curriculum, implemented inquiry-based seminars, strengthened the research component of the graduate curriculum, brought research groups together to focus on agriculture water quality and biofuels, added a food technology program, renovated the ASU campus farm and added a petting zoo and farmers’ market service programming.

“I feel honored and privileged to have served ASU as an academic dean for the past eight years,” said Dr. Phillips. “Serving as a dean has been a tremendous professional growth opportunity for me personally, and I am a better person for this experience. It is now time for someone with new ideas to take the College of Agriculture and Technology to the next level of effectiveness.

“I embrace my return to the faculty with the opportunity to expand research productivity in my college and to spend more time in mentoring younger faculty as a senior colleague. I have many friends in the community and state, and I will continue to promote excellent community relations with this university.”

Dr. Phillips held the dean position over three colleges at ASU as he also served as the dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics from 2005-08 and dean of the College of Engineering from 2005-09. His teaching specialties include plant biotechnology and plant cell and tissue culture. He is also known for his research in plant biotechnology and genetic improvement as well as plant metabolic engineering and bioenergy.

Scientific colleagues named him a Fellow of the Society for In Vitro Biology in 2004, a title recognizing outstanding professional accomplishments and service to the society in the area of Plant Biotechnology in Vitro Biology. Dr. Phillips now is serving as that organization’s vice president.

From an Arkansas State Press Release provided by Greg Phillips