FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Betsy Garrison, who has held various positions at Louisiana State University since 1993, has been named director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

Mike Vayda, dean of the Bumpers College, appointed Garrison to the position, effective July 1.

“I am very excited to have Dr. Garrison join our team and lead our School of Human Environmental Sciences,” said Vayda. “This is such a key position for our college, focusing on human development and family sciences, nutrition and healthy well-being, hospitality and apparel studies. We’re ready for Betsy to come on board and get started. We are all excited about the possibilities, and the continued growth and development of our programs in each of those areas.”

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the University of Arkansas and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, and I’m excited to get started,” said Garrison. “I want to thank Dean Mike Vayda and Associate Dean Lona Robertson, as well as (Vice President) Clarence Watson of the U of A System Division of Agriculture for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank George Wardlow for his service as interim director of the school.

“I’ve been in administration for 16 years, taught at all levels and conducted research in several areas of behavioral science and am prepared to hit the ground running. The structure of the School of Human Environmental Sciences within the college of agriculture was very appealing to me as is the chance to live in Fayetteville.”

Garrison has served as associate dean and professor in LSU’s College of Agriculture since 2005. She also had a dual appointment as rector of LSU’s Agriculture Residential College since 2010. As associate dean, she was responsible for the Office of Student Services, which included overseeing undergraduate student recruiting, retention, advising, counseling and graduation, as well as assistance in job placement, scholarships, student recognition and awards, and discipline-related matters.

“I’ve had a lot of experiences over the last 25 years, and feel that will be helpful, especially to our younger and newer faculty,” said Garrison. “I’m looking forward to working with them as well as our outstanding students, alumni and stakeholders. We’re going to work hard to increase the prominence and visibility of our school, build on our research, enhance our graduate programs and continue to improve the quality of our already top-notch undergraduate programs.”

Garrison went to LSU as assistant professor of family, child and consumer sciences in the School of Human Ecology in 1993. She was associate professor and division head from 1998 to 2000, and associate professor and graduate coordinator from 2002 through 2005 before moving to the College of Agriculture.

Previously, Garrison was assistant professor from 1989 to 1990, and assistant professor and area coordinator from 1990 to 1993 in family and child development in the School of Home Economics and Family Ecology at the University of Akron.

Honors include the Faculty Teaching Award (1998), Faculty Service Award (2004) and Faculty Research Award (2003, 2009) from LSU’s School of Human Ecology; the Sedberry Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award (2005) and the Tiger Athletic Foundation Teaching Award (1997) from the College of Agriculture; and the Faculty Teaching Merit Honor Roll (2000) by Gamma Sigma Delta.

Garrison earned her bachelor’s in home economics education and extension from Benedictine College in 1982. She earned her master’s degree in 1984 and her doctorate in 1990, both in family environment from Iowa State University.

Wardlow, department head of agricultural education, communications and technology, has served as interim head of the School of Human Environmental Sciences.

“I want to thank George for the great job he did leading this department during a time of transition,” said Vayda. “We are fortunate to have great leadership in the Bumpers College, and I appreciate the dedication to our students, faculty and staff.”