Root and branch
CAES alumnus aims to enrich student experience and
career preparedness at the helm of academic and faculty affairs
For Dean Kopsell, newly appointed associate dean for academic and faculty affairs for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, moving to Athens has been like coming home.
Kopsell assumed leadership of the Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs on Feb. 1, 2024, following the retirement of former Associate Dean Josef Broder, who served as a faculty member at CAES for more than 40 years. The Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs handles all scholarships, experiential learning, student advising, internal and external recruitment, and academic programming for the college.
“I did my undergrad at a non-land-grant university that didn’t have any graduate school options for me, but there was one faculty member in my department who had connections to UGA and encouraged me to apply. I was on campus from 1993 to 1999 getting my master’s degree and doctorate in horticulture — it was a really great time to be in Athens,” Kopsell said. “The atmosphere in Athens was unmatched and the school, professors and horticulture department were excellent.”
A native of northern Illinois and the son of a nursery owner, Kopsell grew up surrounded by the horticulture industry. After many years of working all aspects of the nursery, Kopsell developed an interest in the business side of agriculture, earning a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Illinois State University in 1992 and returning to work with his father at the nursery. Eventually he considered pursuing an advanced degree in horticultural science.
“We have exceptional people across the college and around the state to help us attract potential students, provide learning opportunities in and out of the classroom, and place our students in great jobs.”
During his six years as a UGA graduate student, Kopsell began to see the value of expanding his understanding of horticulture, taking his knowledge of landscaping and ornamental horticulture and applying it in new ways as he studied onions and other row crops around Georgia. This exposure to the land-grant mission, one that emphasizes cooperation between excellent teaching, research and outreach, has shaped his career and informs his work as associate dean for academic and faculty affairs at CAES.
Kopsell says his vision for CAES academic programs is coming into focus. With three main areas of emphasis — student recruitment, student experience and career placement — the future looks bright for students in CAES. To address their goals, the academic and faculty affairs team is creating new strategies for connecting with potential first-year, transfer and current students.
“In thinking about student recruitment, we know that many of our students are coming from non-agriculture backgrounds, so we want to make sure that these students are aware of the vast career opportunities available to them in our college,” said Kopsell. “We have exceptional people across the college and around the state to help us attract potential students, provide learning opportunities in and out of the classroom, and place our students in great jobs.”
In an address to spring 2024 graduates, Kopsell encouraged the new alumni to hold on to the roots of their education, always remembering the passion that led them to pursue a degree in CAES. It seems that Kopsell himself is doing just that in returning to his alma mater.
“I have truly enjoyed being back in CAES and Athens again. We have amazing faculty, staff and students, and we’re dedicated to being the best we can be in CAES academics.”
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