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.
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