FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Lisa Wood, clinical assistant professor in the U of A's Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, has been named director of international programs for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and Dean's Fellow by Lona Robertson, interim dean.

As director of the International Programs Office, Wood leads efforts in providing structured international experiences enhancing the marketability of students for career and academic opportunities through faculty driven, sustainable initiatives. The office supports faculty, students, international partners and university leadership in increasing opportunities for students to engage in faculty-led programs, internships, exchange programs and study abroad activities that include research. 

"I look forward to building upon the great work Dr. Leslie Edgar has accomplished with international programs in our college over the past several years," said Wood. "I know I have big shoes to fill, but I look forward to the challenge of building new internship opportunities, expanding the number of exchange programs, and increasing the undergraduate research opportunities abroad while maintaining our current programs. I hope to keep the momentum going."

Wood joined the university faculty in 2012 as an instructor of environmental science. In 2014, she became a clinical assistant professor, teaching classes in the environmental and soil sciences. Wood has been active in environmental education in the Northwest Arkansas area, serving on the board of directors and as past president of the Arkansas Environmental Educators Association (AEEA). She also served on the board of directors for the Ozark Natural Science Center where she was a member of the education committee, helping to direct curriculum development and evaluate student learning outcomes.

Wood earned her bachelor's degree in agronomy-soil science in 1984, her master's degree in agronomy-soil physics in 1988 and her doctorate in curriculum and instruction-science education in 2013, all from the University of Arkansas.

Prior to returning to Arkansas in 2010, Wood spent 22 years as an environmental/soil scientist in Delaware working in the regulatory sector as well as private consulting where she was the co-owner of an environmental consulting firm.

Bumpers College students are encouraged to engage in study abroad in order to establish life-long partnerships, increase cultural awareness and increase understanding of the global dimensions of their majors.

Bumpers College currently sponsors exchange programs to Austria and France, along with faculty-led programs in Belgium, India, Italy, Mozambique, New Zealand and Australia; internships in Greece and Scotland; and research opportunities in Brazil the Philippines, and Greece.

As a Dean's Fellow, she teachers honors program classes and involves honors students in her areas of research.

For more information on Bumpers College's international programs and study abroad opportunities, go here. 

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.