FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Mike Evans, professor of horticulture at the University of Arkansas, has been named interim associate dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Evans, appointed to the position by Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ashok Saxena and Vice President of the U of A System Division of Agriculture Mark Cochran, fills the role of Lona Robertson, who is now interim dean after serving as associate dean since 2011.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with students, faculty and staff throughout the college," said Evans. "I appreciate the support of Provost Saxena, Dr. Cochran and Dr. Robertson, and I'm eager to represent the Bumpers College across campus as we continue growing and meeting the needs of our students and many industry segments."

As interim associate dean, Evans will provide oversight for curricular affairs, course registration and student affairs; assistance to department heads and work with associate deans across campus and other U of A offices; direction in the college's areas of advising, retention, facilities and distance education; guidance to faculty regarding workload assignments, mentoring and use of resources for achieving curriculum needs and college strategic objectives; and coordinating the college's honors program, international studies and distance education programs, among other duties.

"I am very pleased that Dr. Evans will be joining the Bumpers College Dean's Office staff in this role," said Robertson. "Dr. Evans' experiences with online programs, advising, curriculum and study abroad will be a tremendous asset to students and faculty in each of our departments and concentrations as we strengthen all of our academic programs."

Evans joined the Bumpers College's Department of Horticulture faculty as associate professor in 2001 and was promoted to professor in 2009. He has also been an assistant professor of horticulture at Iowa State University (1994-2001), and assistant professor and extension specialist at the University of Florida's Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (1990-94).

His research has centered on greenhouse and controlled environment food crop production, primarily fresh, leafy greens such as lettuce, dandelion and arugula, along with herbs and small fruits such as strawberries and blackberries.

He earned his bachelor's degree in horticulture in 1985 from Virginia Tech University, and his master's degree in horticulture in 1987 and his Ph.D. in horticulture in 1990, both from the University of Minnesota.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.