Hot News

10.04.05

By JEFF MORELAND

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — He’s been on the job just over a month, but Dr. Cheng-i Wei has packed in a month’s worth and then some of learning about Maryland and its agriculture. Wei was the guest of honor at a reception on campus at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Guests attended from the agricultural community, as well as the university and numerous related organizations to welcome the new dean. As he begins work as the new dean of the college of agriculture at the University of Maryland, Wei said he realizes education is a big part of his job in more ways than one.
“The first thing I want to do is know the college, know my people better, the faculty and staff and students. Once I know them better, I can start to know what to do to help make the institution even better,” he said. “I know a lot of the faculty and the Extension agents are doing a wonderful job. When I travel around the state, I hear a lot of good things about our people helping them (farmers). But I’ve also heard some concerns,” Wei said. “There are some people out there who still don’t know what we’re doing. That’s our first challenge. We want to make the institution better, more effective and more responsive to the citizens’ needs.”
As he continues to become more familiar with the issues of agriculture in Maryland, Wei is well aware of some of the concerns in the state, especially the issue of “urban sprawl.”
“This state is unique compared to the rest of the United States,” Wei said. “We have challenges other states do not have, with people moving from the cities to rural areas. For that reason, we need to look more closely at the environmental issues, natural resource issues and the agriculture.”
He added that the Eastern Shore’s heavy number of crops which tie to the poultry industry is one area of agriculture where there is a need to be innovative and thinking about the future.
“We need to be thinking about 10 years or 20 years down the road, not just currently,” he said.
These issues and others have been on the agenda in some of Wei’s meetings with Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Lewis Riley.
“He and I have been in a number of gatherings together, as well as meeting in my office,” Riley said.
Both Riley and Wei pointed out concerns in resources for agriculture at the University of Maryland. Budget cuts have been applied to research and Extension at the university, and Riley wants to make sure Wei is aware of the value of that research to agriculture in the state.
“We’ve talked about the issues most important to ag and what we need to continue between the college of agriculture and the department of agriculture. Research has been at the top of our discussions because we feel with all the demands being put on ag, to meet those demands, research has to be a high-caliber subject,” Riley said. “If the research is done and proven to be beneficial, the agriculture community usually embraces that. Almost any program we do, the science needs to be proven first, and we want to make sure the university continues to be a part of that. We feel like Extension, research and the department of ag go together like a hand and a glove in servicing the ag community.”
Wei agreed with the need to keep as much funding as possible for agricultural research and programs, but said he wants to make certain the most is being done with what is available.
“I understand resources have been cut, but on the other hand, we can manage resources more effectively. That’s my goal. I want to use the money more effectively,” he said. “We have a lot of friends helping the college, including the legislature. Also, a lot of donors are behind us. I want to continue to have those relationships and still seek their assistance. The college needs me to do a good job, and I intend to do a good job. I intend to fill their needs. That’s the approach I want to take.”
Wei has been getting around campus meeting with the faculty. He said he is being certain to encourage the faculty and staff because it is important to him to let people know they are doing a good job and that they are appreciated. He wants to visit with younger members of the faculty to nurture them and prepare them for future leadership roles.
“I want to nurture the young faculty and try to prepare them to be the next generation leaders. Some time if a department head decides to step down, you have a hard time finding the next person to take charge,” he said. “I share with some of them my thinking and why I think that way. My way of thinking is not perfect, but I feel that stimulation is important.”
Stimulation and support are also on Wei’s list of priorities for students. In his views, he said the university needs to take care of the students for their long-term future, not just immediately after graduation.
“This is an educational institution, and we need to take care of the students, not only for their first job after graduation, but also to prepare them for their second and third jobs,” he said. “My goal is that I would like each of them to have an internship opportunity so that helps them for their future jobs. Number one is, of course, we need to teach students about the globalization (of agriculture) and how we are competing with other nations.”
When it comes to the number of those students, Wei pointed out that enrollment has “not been that great,” but said he wants to work to see an increase. He cited the need to work with students interested in agriculture who may not be ready for the university and helping them become prepared by attending community colleges and honing their abilities, then having them enroll at the University of Maryland when they are ready.
“I have been talking about this with the provost. Some students may not be able to be admitted right away, but we can help them,” Wei said. “They can take community college classes, then transfer over and become University of Maryland students. Some people bloom a little bit later, but we can help them. The provost, he understands our concerns. We want to do a good job and tell the students, ‘If you are interested in agriculture, we can try to help you.’ I see a brighter future.”