PULLMAN, Wash. — Pete W. Jacoby Jr., joined the administration of Washington State University’s College of Agriculture and Home Economics today (Monday, Sept. 15).
Jacoby fills a new associate dean’s position in Dean James Zuiches’ office. Zuiches said Jacoby will have three major assignments: facilities planning and management, implementation of a strategic plan, and administration when Zuiches is out of the office working with the legislature, Congress and constituencies.
Jacoby comes from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he had served as director of the West Central Research and Extension Center since 1993.
“With his fluency in Spanish, I expect Pete will also work closely with the Hispanic community and faculty and staff as we expand our programs in support of all Washington residents,” Zuiches said. “We have just completed the CAHE Diversity Plan and its implementation will require leadership from the college administration.”
Zuiches said Jacoby’s experience in planning and building facilities will help the college develop its facilities. “Pete has planned, raised funds and built facilities as director of Nebraska’s Research and Extension Center,” Zuiches said.
“He will be responsible for planning the next steps in renovating Johnson Hall, and for working with faculty and WSU administrators to develop support for a proposed addition to Johnson Hall.
“The College also is in the long-range planning stages for new facilities at Mt. Vernon, Vancouver, and Wenatchee. These as well as minor capital improvements, land purchases and space assignments will be part of his job,” Zuiches explained.
CAHE is developing a strategic plan for the next five years. “Implementing that plan will require close coordination among departments, the research and extension centers and county Cooperative Extension offices,” Zuiches said. “Pete has been successful with exactly that type of responsibility in the past and I look forward to his assistance in these new organizational initiatives.
“In addition, as our strategic plan moves forward we will seek funding from a variety of public and private sources and Pete will assist us in these development and fund-raising efforts.”
The college’s other associate deans for extension, research and teaching will continue to report directly to Zuiches. Zuiches noted that the college has eliminated four administrative positions since 1986, an assistant research director, a program leader in Extension, and two regional coordinators in Extension.
Jacoby has three degrees in range management; a bachelor’s from Texas A&M and masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Wyoming.
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