Rickey Yada
A Message from the Dean
I hope you enjoy the fall issue of ReachOut magazine.
I always find it inspiring to see the research of faculty members and graduate students. In this issue, you will learn how researchers are tackling climate change by using data and technology to bring new information to decision-making, and how we are working to improve the welfare of companion animals and the adoption rates of animals in shelters.
You can also read about LandOne, a first-year cohort option that aims to improve the transition from high school to university life.
In other news, I am pleased that I have been extended for a second five-year term starting October 1, 2019 as Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. This provides me and our faculty and staff another term to work on raising the bar through increasing research intensity, enhancing studentcentered learning and engagement, leveraging opportunities for partnerships, recognizing excellence in the Faculty, and building a stronger sense of community.
Our strategic plan – the Action Plan 2016-2020 – has helped the Faculty to renew its mission and goals, aligning them with the university’s strategic plan. We will soon be revising our strategic plan for the next term – taking into account some of the long-term global issues facing land and food systems, and how we are best positioned to address them.
I am confident the Faculty will continue to build on its strengths to address critical global issues around food security; sustainable agriculture and the environment; food, nutrition and health; and food safety and quality. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues here in the Faculty over my next term and to meeting more of our alumni and partners in future.
Sincerely,
Rickey Yada
Dean and Professor, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
