Karen Mock Named Quinney College of Natural Resources Associate Dean
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013
Karen Mock, associate professor in USU's Department of Wildland Resources, is the new associate dean of the Quinney College of Natural Resources.
Mock succeeds Nancy Mesner, pictured, who has served as associate dean of the college since 2006. Mesner is an associate professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences and program leader for USU Natural Resources Extension.
Utah State University faculty member Karen Mock has been named associate dean of the university’s Quinney College of Natural Resources. Dean Chris Luecke made the announcement to the college’s faculty and staff Jan. 4, 2013.
“Karen is an outstanding scientist, teacher and administrator and we thank her for her willingness to serve the college in this manner,” Luecke said.
Pending Board of Trustees approval, Mock will assume the post March 18. She succeeds Nancy Mesner, who has served in the position since 2006.
“Nancy has been a tremendous asset to the college in this position,” Luecke said.
During Mesner’s tenure, he said, the college saw tremendous growth in the master of natural resources program, the reorganization of the college’s Academic Service Center and a streamlined method for the college to work with the Educational Policy Committee.
“Nancy’s efforts have been instrumental in the growth of college enrollment, in an increase in the college’s graduation rates and in the development of our general studies degree,” Luecke said.
Mesner, an associate professor in the college’s Department of Watershed Sciences, will continue with her teaching and research duties as well as her USU Extension responsibilities. She serves as program leader for USU Natural Resources Extension and leads Extension’s water quality program. In this capacity, Mesner coordinates statewide educational efforts in water quality assessment and monitoring and oversees volunteer monitoring programs. She has been recognized by the Governor’s Office for her development of watershed science curricula for public school students.
Mock, an associate professor in the Department of Wildland Resources who joined USU in 2000, is a conservation geneticist and molecular ecologist. Her recent research focuses on genetic patterns in Western aspen and the species’ response to climate changes.
QCNR, renamed the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources on Sept. 26, 2012, and gifted the same day with the Quinney Foundation’s most recent donation of $10 million and a promise of support for the next 25 years, includes the academic departments of Watershed Sciences, Wildland Resources and Environment and Society. Luecke, former head of Watershed Sciences, was named dean of the college in November 2012.
Related Links
- “Times Three: USU Scientists Note Odd Genetic Pattern in Western Aspen,” Utah State Today
- “Natural Resources Associate Dean Honored for Water Quality Work,” Utah State Today
- USU Quinney College of Natural Resources
Contact: Chris Luecke, 435-797-2452, chris.luecke@usu.edu
Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
