Following an extensive national search, Dr. Bryan Rank has been appointed as dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) at East Texas A&M University.
CASNR offers more than 25 undergraduate majors, minors and certificates. The college also boasts a variety of award-winning competitive teams and state-of-the-art facilities for agriculture, livestock and wildlife.
Dr. Rank joins the Lion family from Arkansas Tech University where he served as an associate professor and the agriculture program director for the Department of Agriculture and Tourism. He established himself as an enthusiastic leader by securing $730,000 for modern agricultural lab equipment and over $500,000 for a new agricultural mechanics laboratory.
Rank has experience in strategic planning, curriculum and program development, and a special interest in agricultural education. He has published more than 45 articles and delivered numerous presentations. He is also strongly committed to service and outreach, serving on multiple university and community committees and councils. In addition to his contributions to academic affairs, Rank has extensive industry experience, including ranch and rural property consulting, seedstock production, and cattle welfare.
Rank shared his enthusiasm for his new position: “I am excited by the opportunities ahead for CASNR and East Texas A&M University. East Texas A&M has a long history of serving students and the broader East Texas community. I have fond memories of FFA contests on campus from my days as an agriculture teacher at Marshall and Sulphur Bluff. It was great to see that the university remains warm and welcoming.”
He added, “The CASNR faculty are truly exceptional, and I am inspired by their dedication to student success. I look forward to working with the CASNR community to build on our solid foundation and develop innovative and imaginative programs to serve our rural-urban population. I am excited to see what we will accomplish together as we build for the future.”
Dr. Tammi Vacha-Haase, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at East Texas A&M, said she is pleased to welcome Rank as the next leader of CASNR.
“Dr. Rank not only brings a deep knowledge of East Texas and our university but also has outstanding prior experiences that inspire confidence in his ability for university-wide collaboration and moving this college forward,” Vacha-Haase said. “His forward-thinking approach, focus on interdisciplinary programs and research, coupled with his deep respect for our university's traditions and community, make him the ideal choice to guide CASNR into its next chapter of growth and success.”
Rank earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University, his Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from Oklahoma Panhandle State University, and his Associate of Applied Science in Ranch and Feedlot Operations from Clarendon College.
Dr. Rank will begin his role as dean at ETAMU on January 1, 2025.