INSTITUTE, W.Va.—West Virginia State University (WVSU) Associate Provost and Dean and Director of Agricultural Research and Extension Dr. Ami M. Smith has been appointed Chair-Elect of the 1890 Association of Research Directors (ARD), the federation of 1890 Land-grant Universities that provides coordination of research initiatives among member institutions. WVSU is one of 19 such institutions in the nation.

“I would like to congratulate Dr. Ami Smith on her appointment as Chair-Elect of the 1890 Association of Research Directors. This appointment reflects the impact of WVSU’s research enterprise and our commitment to advancing knowledge, strengthening agriculture and improving lives through discovery and innovation,” said WVSU President Ericke S. Cage. “I am confident Dr. Smith will help shape national research priorities and elevate the collective strengths of all 19 of our nation’s 1890 Land-grant Universities.”

ARD provides visionary and enlightened leadership to member institutions as they continually address issues impacting their ability to provide innovative solutions to food and agricultural research challenges facing the state, region, nation and world.

Smith will serve a two-year term as Chair-Elect, followed by a two-year term as Chair of ARD. Through this leadership role, she will represent the research focus of all 19 of the nation’s 1890 Land-grant Universities and help advance their collective interests and priorities at the national level.

With Smith’s appointment, West Virginia State University has a prominent role in the national land-grant system. President Cage currently serves as chair of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Council of 1890 University Presidents and chair of the 1890 Universities Foundation Board of Directors. He also serves as a member of the APLU Board of Directors. 

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