CSU welcomes new dean

The College of Applied Human Sciences (CAHS) will experience a

passing of the torch this fall as they welcome in a new dean. On

Aug. 1, April Mason will begin her duties at CSU as the dean of

CAHS, as she takes over for former dean Nancy Hartley.

Mason will be leaving Purdue University, where she was associate

dean for discovery and engagement in the School of Consumer and

Family Sciences and the assistant director of the Cooperative

Extension

Service, to begin a new chapter of life at CSU.

Mason comes into the position with a high admiration and

expectations for CSU’s program.

“The school has incredible diversity of disciplines and I am

excited to learn more about each one of those disciplines,” Mason

said. “My expectation of those who study and teach in the college,

conduct research and communicate from the college is that each

person would strive to do their very best.”

Mason received two degrees from Purdue including a master’s in

plant physiology and a doctorate in foods and nutrition. She has

also studied at the Overseas School of Rome and received her

bachelor’s in biology from Mount

Union College.

Mason’s professional research has been in food science. Her

research has been multifaceted, extending into areas of

Agriculture, Education and Consumer and Family Sciences. She also

contributed to a $1.3 million research project for the Indiana

Family Nutrition Study.

Larry Penley, president of CSU has shown much enthusiasm for

Mason’s arrival.

“April Mason is the kind of national leader we had hoped to find

to serve as the new dean of Colorado State’s College of Applied

Human Sciences, which ranks among the top 10 in the nation for two

of its programs,” Penley said in

a CSU press release. “Her extensive experience at Purdue, a land

grant institution, will further elevate the college’s national

stature.”

At Purdue, Mason spent her career working in accordance with the

mission of a land grant university, which may help her adjust to

CSU.

Peter Nicholls, university provost shares Penley’s enthusiasm in

welcoming Mason to CSU.

“Dean Mason has impressed me, and all constituencies at CSU,

with her ability to formulate a vision for the future of the

college, with her ability to articulate that vision, and with her

ability to enlist the support of others in its achievement,”

Nicholls said.

Other decorations Mason has attained include membership in Sigma

Xi, the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, the

Institute of Food Technologies and the American Society for

Nutritional Services. Mason was also recently awarded the State

International Facilitation Award for an International Study Tour in

Ireland, which was presented by Epsilon Sigma Phi, a national

cooperative extension professional organization.

“I strongly believe in the importance of the disciplines

represented in the college and their relevance to the well-being of

students, families, children and communities,” Mason said. “I

cannot think of more exciting and fulfilling work to do.”

The College of Applied Human Sciences oversees the Departments

of Construction Management, Design and Merchandising, Food Science

and Human Nutrition, Health and Exercise Science, Human Development

and Family Studies, Occupational Therapy, the School of Education,

the School of Social Work and the College of

Applied Human Sciences Interdisciplinary Studies.