Cody W. Edwards has been appointed interim dean of the College of Science by Interim Provost Kenneth Walsh, effective July 1st. Walsh expressed his confidence in Edwards’ abilities, citing his extensive experience and dedication to research excellence, leadership, and student success.
Over the past 12 years, Edwards has held various leadership positions at the university. Most recently, he served as the senior associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in the College of Science. In this role, he helped to strengthen the connection between education and research, fostering collaborative projects that enhanced academic policies and faculty development.
Prior to his role as senior associate dean, Edwards was the executive director of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) for nearly eight years. During this time, he worked tirelessly to strengthen the connection between education and research, fostering collaborative projects that would benefit both areas. His experience in shaping academic policies and enhancing faculty development will be beneficial in his new role as interim dean.
Edwards will be taking over from Dean Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, who is set to become the president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and vice chancellor for sustainability of the University System of Maryland on July 1st. Walsh expressed gratitude to Miralles-Wilhelm for his exceptional leadership as dean since 2020, noting significant growth in research, support for academic programs, student enrollment, and fundraising under his guidance.
The appointment of Cody W. Edwards as interim dean marks a new chapter in the college’s leadership. With his experience