Mike Proctor was appointed assistant dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in January, along with a faculty appointment as an associate specialist in the college's School of Natural Resources.

He takes leadership in managing CALS external affairs, including public policy and legislative issues, strategic initiatives for the college, and relationships with industry and community contacts in rural and urban Arizona. He will also be involved in the planning and development of CALS statewide resources and facilities. These efforts will support CALS teaching, research and Cooperative Extension programs.

Mike brings to the table a unique skill set for CALS. First, he is an extension specialist in the School of Natural Resources where his education and private sector experience will help us in the natural resource policy arena. Second, as an assistant dean in CALS, he will focus on our growing international program along with university/industry relationships with those companies where we would like to cultivate more interest in our work.

His last job in corporate relations with the Advancement Office makes him uniquely suited to do this for CALS. Also, coming from a longtime Arizona family, he is well-connected with the college's constituency.

Mike's long affiliation with the University of Arizona includes a 1983 bachelor's degree in renewable natural resources from CALS and a 1988 J.D. from the UA College of Law. He has worked in natural resource positions in Arizona and New Mexico; practiced law for 12 years, including seven years as a UA attorney; and served nearly five years as director and assistant vice president of corporate relations in the UA Office of Advancement.

Throughout his employment at the UA he has worked extensively with faculty, staff, students and administrators, campus organizations, community organizations, business groups and companies, state legislators and local, state, and federal governmental agencies. He has facilitated numerous joint projects between the university and outside businesses and community groups.