Paper Science Alumnus Named New ARS Administrator

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young was named the Administrator for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) by USDA Chief Scientist and REE Under Secretary, Dr. Catherine Woteki. Dr. Jacobs-Young previously led ARS’ Office of National Programs, which manages the research objectives of the Agency. She also led the Office of International Research Programs which is responsible for ARS’ liaison with its international partners. Dr. Jacobs-Young will assume her new duties effective February 23, 2014.

Prior to moving into her role at ARS, Dr. Jacobs-Young served as the Director of the Office of the Chief Scientist in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she was responsible for facilitating the coordination of scientific leadership across the Department to ensure that research supported by, and scientific advice provided to, the Department and external stakeholders were held to the highest standards of intellectual rigor and scientific integrity. She also served as the Acting Director for USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Dr. Jacobs-Young is a native of Georgia. She holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in wood and paper science and a B.S. degree in pulp and paper science and technology from North Carolina State University. She also is a graduate of American University’s Executive Leadership in public policy implementation program.