On July 1, 2025, Dr. Wendy Powers joined the University of Maryland as the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Prior to moving this role, Dr. Powers served was the inaugural Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (2022 – 2025). Dean Powers embodies the land-grant mission through her collaborative work with agricultural producers and research peers nationwide. Powers began her career as an assistant professor and extension specialist in animal science at Iowa State University, then moved to Michigan State University, where she served as a full professor in the departments of Animal Science and Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, extension specialist, and director of environmental stewardship for animal agriculture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She was also the first director of the Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute for Michigan State University Extension. Prior to joining Washington State University, Powers served as associate vice president for the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In that role, she led academic, research, and outreach programs, overseeing county-based cooperative extension outreach, 12 statewide programs and institutes, and nine research and extension centers across California.