The College of Agriculture has hired its first woman dean. Catherine Woteki began her job as the ninth dean of the college in January.

Woteki said being the first woman dean is “both an honor and a challenge.”

“I’ll be approaching it the way I have approached other firsts,” she said.

One of the biggest challenges in her new position was having to “get familiar with what’s going on now,” she said.

Woteki said she has been reading a lot of strategic plans and background information concerning the college and meeting as many people as possible.

“I’m trying to get to know the faculty and department executive officers,” Woteki said. “I’ve been meeting with them and finding out what problems they need the dean’s help on.”

Woteki said she has also gotten to know members of the university administration.

“Part of my job is to represent the college in decisions that the president and provost make,” Woteki said. “I’m getting familiar with how the university operates.”

Woteki said she has also been working with outside groups.

“I’m also working with a number of organizations that have traditionally been very strong supporters of the College of Agriculture,” Woteki said.

She met with the Iowa Corn and Soybean Associations and the pork producers. She has been discussing ways the university can serve the associations’ needs through research and extension, and has found out how well Iowa State is fulfilling their expectations, she said.

“She really had to hit the ground running,” said Eric Hoiberg, associate dean of academic programs for the College of Agriculture. “She is showing an amazing ability to get on top of issues.”

Woteki served as the first undersecretary for food safety in the United States Department of Agriculture from 1997 through January 2001.

Her responsibilities included developing U.S. food safety policies and overseeing the implementation of a new meat and poultry inspection system.

“She brings a wealth of experience from a different perspective,” Hoiberg said.

Woteki said her governmental experience is similar to being the dean of the College of Agriculture and overseeing 17 departments ranging from social to biological and chemical sciences.

Hoiberg said Woteki’s government background allows her to use “different strategies” when dealing with issues in the college.

Woteki said reworking the agriculture budget is at the “top of the list” of things she wants to accomplish this semester. She also plans to familiarize herself with the state through a series of 12 trips to different locations in Iowa.

“I’m still in the mode of trying to learn everything I can,” Woteki said.

She plans to meet with farmers, community leaders and industries across the state to “hear their views of the college” and “find out what’s going well.”

Although she has not yet had an opportunity to interact with any student organizations within the College of Agriculture, Woteki said a “high point” of her interview process was the open meeting with students and is looking forward to opportunities that will allow her to work with student groups.

Hoiberg is impressed with Woteki’s ability to take on her role so quickly and effectively.

“She’s had an amazing start,” he said.

“We’re very happy about that.”