Wendy Reed, associate professor, was named head of the biological sciences department at NDSU, effective Jan. 1.
As department head, Reed is responsible for overseeing department budgets and resource allocation; handling hiring, annual reviews and other personnel tasks; collaborating with department members to establish goals and communicating with the university and the community on behalf of the department.
“After discussing the position with members of the biological sciences department, it was clear to me that everyone recognized Dr. Reed’s administrative potential,” said Kevin McCaul, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. “Together with her recent experiences as assistant and then associate dean of the college, I think she is superbly prepared to take on this role.”
Reed succeeds William Bleier, who served in the role for more than 17 years. Bleier will return to the position of full-time professor in the department. “Dr. Bleier is well known across campus, in the community and in the state,” McCaul said. “We owe him a great deal for his outstanding service as department head.”
Reed earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, Mich., and her doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. She joined NDSU as assistant professor in the biological sciences department in 2002. She was promoted to associate professor and named assistant dean for the College of Science and Mathematics in 2009. She was named associate dean of the college in 2010.