Meullenet Selected as Interim Dean for Bumpers College

Fred Miller, Division of Agriculture

J.F. Meullenet

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Longtime UA System Division of Agriculture professor and administrator J.F. Meullenet has been selected as the interim dean for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, effective July 1, when current Dean Deacue Fields assumes his new role as vice president for agriculture for the UA System.

“We’re thankful to have someone with Meullenet’s experience in research, teaching and administrative leadership to fill this important role for the Bumpers College,” said Terry Martin, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “His understanding of the impact of our academic mission, agricultural research and service to the state will help ensure a smooth transition.” 

Meullenet, who joined the Division of Agriculture as an assistant professor of food science in 1996, will also continue to serve as senior associate vice president for agriculture research, and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station for the UA System Division of Agriculture. 

Meullenet also previously served as an interim assistant director of the experiment station, head of the Department of Food Science and director of the Institute of Food Science and Engineering.

“Dr. Meullenet has vast administrative experience both within Bumpers College and as the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station,” said Chuck Culver, interim vice president for the UA System Division of Agriculture. “He will do a masterful job of shepherding the important interrelationship between the two.”

Culver also serves as the division’s assistant vice president and director for external relations. 

“Dr. Meullenet is the ideal fit for interim dean at this time as we will be able to maintain the momentum we have gained to strengthen the relationship between the University of Arkansas and the UA System Division of Agriculture,” said Fields. “He brings a strong understanding and appreciation for both academic and research programs on campus and within UADA.” 

As the interim dean, Meullenet will handle all the day-to-day functions of the dean’s position. His current day-to-day responsibilities as AES director will be partially covered by Nathan Slaton, who will be elevated to senior associate director, while Mary Savin, assistant AES director, will assist with special initiatives.

“I am delighted to have been called to lead Bumpers College as its interim dean. The college has been on a very positive trajectory under Dean Fields leadership, and I plan to ensure that continues in this interim period. I am thankful to Provost Martin for the confidence he has placed in me and to UADA’s interim VP Chuck Culver and soon to be VP Fields for valuing the partnership between the division and Bumpers College.” 

A native of France, Meullenet earned a Master of Science in food engineering from the National Superior School of Agronomy and Food Science in Nancy, and a Ph.D. in food science and technology from the University of Georgia. He has published 117 articles in refereed journals and has made more than 150 presentations, in addition to advising numerous master's and doctoral students.

Since 2006, Meullenet has held the Tyson Foods Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Sensory Science and is a 2013 graduate of LEAD21, a national leadership program.

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