Brian Horgan will serve as dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) starting July 1, according to a university-wide email sent Thursday.
Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, expressed her confidence in Horgan’s future at Cal Poly in the email. She referenced his hands-on research experience and his efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity.
“I am confident that his leadership will build on the outstanding work already happening with CAFES,” Jackson-Elmoore said. “I look forward to the opportunities his vision will create for the college.”
Jackson-Elmoore also thanked Jeremy James, who has served as interim dean of CAFES since Dec. 21, 2024, for his efforts while Cal Poly searched for a permanent dean.
Horgan comes to Cal Poly from Michigan State University, where he served as associate dean for faculty affairs and development for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and taught as a professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. Horgan’s research focuses on bringing sustainability to golf facilities, and he has lectured on these topics globally, according to his Michigan State University profile.
“During my visit to campus, I was able to see firsthand the ‘Learn by Doing’ model,” Horgan told Mustang News. “I was truly inspired by the students and their passion for agriculture, food and environmental sciences.”
Horgan previously spent 18 years with the University of Minnesota as a faculty member for the Department of Horticulture Science. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in crop and soil science from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in crop science from North Carolina State University and a Ph.D. in Natural Resources Environmental Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“I am grateful for the support that my family has already received from Cal Poly,” Horgan said. “We look forward to getting settled into the community this summer.”
