The Oregon State University Honors College is pleased to announce that Dr. Troy Hall, professor in human dimensions of natural resources in the OSU College of Forestry’s Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, has been appointed as the new associate dean of the college. Dr. Hall will succeed Susan Rodgers, who stepped down from the position to return to her faculty appointment in the School of Writing, Literature and Film.
Dr. Hall returned to OSU — where she completed her PhD in forest resources in 1996 — as department head of the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society in 2014, following a position as head of the Department of Conservation Social Sciences at the University of Idaho. Over the past 10 years, she has taken on several leadership roles at Oregon State University, including directing the undergraduate program in natural resources, which has seen continual growth since its inception more than 25 years ago. Dr. Hall also led the merger of Oregon State’s Tourism and Outdoor Leadership Program at OSU-Cascades with the Resource Recreation and Tourism Program at the Corvallis campus, forming the Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership program. Recently, she spearheaded efforts to create a fully distance offering of the TRAL program and helped initiate the Ecampus honors degree in natural resources.
Dr. Hall has a strong commitment to student development, having taught many undergraduate and graduate classes focused on developing critical thinking, practicing teamwork skills and providing opportunities for students to apply their learning to practical problems. As a member of the Baccalaureate Core Reform Committee, she contributed to the development of OSU’s new Core Education program. She also serves as a faculty fellow with the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning, where she is working with a team to develop guidance for the new “Seeking Solutions” signature classes.
“Troy will bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the Honors College,” says Toni Doolen, dean of the Honors College. “Her extensive academic background and insights will be vital as she steps into this critical role, helping us continue to innovate and provide transformative educational experiences for our students.”
The associate dean of the Honors College has a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including curricular development, assessment and operational oversight. Having completed a senior thesis herself as an undergraduate, Dr. Hall understands the value of close mentoring and independent creative activities, which are hallmarks of the Honors College.
“I’m very excited to join the Honors College and its dedicated team,” says Dr. Hall. “I look forward to working with faculty, staff and students to strengthen and forge collaborations across OSU’s campuses, identify innovative ways to advance the curriculum and develop transformative educational experiences for students in all majors.”
The Honors College at Oregon State offers unique curricular, research and co-curricular opportunities designed to develop students’ disciplinary and cross-disciplinary capabilities. Admission to the Honors College is competitive, and graduates earn an honors baccalaureate degree in their major field(s). The college currently enrolls approximately 6% of OSU undergraduates.
Dr. Hall will officially begin as associate dean on September 25, 2024.
By Kallie Hagel, Communications Coordinator