Tracy Irani, who played a major role in establishing the PIE Center since 2008, will leave her role as director to become chairperson of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
Irani served as interim chairwoman for the department since October and will permanently take over the position effective April 11. She will, however, maintain a small presence in the PIE Center while it transitions to a yet-to-be-announced interim director.
Under her stewardship, the PIE Center grew from a three-person operation to an organization with two faculty members, four staff members, three post-doctoral associates, a dozen graduate students and several interns.
“While I am saddened to leave the PIE Center after six exciting years of growth, I am confident that our team will continue to work toward fulfilling our mission and vision to engage the public and facilitate understanding of the connection with agriculture and the natural resources,” she said.
A third faculty position was recently released and will be housed in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
For more information, read the IFAS announcement.
