Colin Scanes, executive associate dean of agriculture at Iowa State, participated in open forum Thursday outlining his goals for the College of Agriculture.

Scanes, who is the final candidate for dean of the College of Agriculture, said his vision for ISU is for it to become the premier college of agriculture in the United States.

“We need to be the best in teaching, research and outreach,” Scanes said, “and also be a service in the land-grant style to people in Iowa, the region, United States and internationally.”

His first point of order would be to meet the needs of Iowa and its diversity of people.

“We have to fulfill the needs of a broad range of students and attract and retain students from an increasing diverse population in Iowa,” Scanes said.

Scanes also said he believes it is important for the university to have credible research based on unbiased information.

He said agriculture in both ISU and the state of Iowa has to be vibrant, profitable and environmentally sensitive.

“I also want to stress respect for people,” Scanes said.

“I want to create an environment where people feel comfortable to take risks.”

Harold Crawford, professor of agricultural education and studies, said he thought Scanes effectively addressed the issues.

“He built on the strengths of Iowa State but didn’t go out on a limb to change things,” Crawford said.

“He didn’t use a lot of notes, but he knew the subjects well.”

Scanes has served as the associate director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station since 1995.

He recently was named the interim director of the Plant Sciences Institute.

Scanes will be speaking in a student forum today from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Room 8 Curtiss Hall. The forum is open to the public.