Jeff Dwyer has been named director of Michigan State University Extension, effective immediately.
Dwyer has been interim director since Jan. 1. Previously he was a senior associate dean in the MSU College of Human Medicine, with primary responsibilities related to research and community engagement.
“Dr. Dwyer has worked closely with Extension since 2008,” said Doug Buhler, interim dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “He is a savvy leader who was quick to adapt to this important role.”
The decision to move Dwyer to the permanent role was made jointly by Buhler, MSU Provost June Youatt and MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, in consultation with incoming CANR Dean Ronald Hendrick.
“We are so fortunate at this point in time to have Dr. Dwyer’s unique set of abilities brought to Extension. He brings both talent and vision,” said MSU Provost June Pierce Youatt. “Additionally, he has an impressive history of building relationships across the state, which will help Extension advance its mission and goals.”
Hendrick agreed.
“Dr. Dwyer has already forged relationships with stakeholder groups across the state and spread the reach of MSU Extension,” Hendrick said. “I look forward to having a team of strong leaders in the college so we can hit the ground running in July. I am pleased that Dr. Dwyer will be among those leaders.”
Before joining MSU, Dwyer was a tenured professor at Wayne State University, where he was the director of the Institute of Gerontology and professor of sociology. He was the founding director of the Institute on Aging and a tenured professor of medicine at the University of Florida from 1999 to 2003. Dwyer received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California Lutheran University in 1982 and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Florida in 1988.