Fox to Serve as Interim Extension Dean, Director

PULLMAN, Wash. — Linda Kirk Fox has accepted the position of interim dean and director of Washington State University Extension, effective September 1, 2004 through August 31, 2005.

Robert C. Bates, provost and academic vice president, said, “We are fortunate to have an experienced administrator to provide leadership for our university-wide Extension programs that have national and international visibility and serve citizens across the state. I look forward to working with Interim Dean Fox as we advance the mission of the university.”

Michael J. Tate, dean and director of WSU Extension, will become the university’s interim vice president for equity and diversity Sept. 1.

After joining the UI faculty in 1981, Fox gained 20 years experience with the UI Extension prior to joining WSU in February 2002 as associate dean and associate director of Extension. She brings a wealth of administrative experience in a land-grant setting to her new position, having served as an extension district director, a department chair and as head of the family and consumer sciences school at the UI.

A native of Garden City, Kan., Fox holds three degrees from Oregon State University, including a doctorate in family resource management.  She is active with the Board on Human Sciences of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. She is also interested in seeking additional funding to support WSU Extension programs.

WSU Extension has more than 370 faculty and academic staff on four campuses, five research and extension centers, 10 learning centers, offices in each of the state’s 39 counties and at the WSU Extension Energy Program in Olympia.