Campus leader to serve as new UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences dean
The University of Florida has selected Kati Migliaccio, Ph.D., UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering chair, as the new College of Agricultural and Life Sciences dean. She will assume her new role Jan. 1.
The college administers the educational and degree programs for UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), which works to enhance and sustain the quality of human life through its research facilities and extension services offered in every Florida county.
“Kati’s long and accomplished tenure with UF/IFAS will serve her well as dean,” said Joe Glover, interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Her innovative solutions to the challenges Florida faces in terms of water conservation are exactly what our rapidly growing state needs, and I know the leadership qualities she brings to the position will take the college to the next level.”
Migliaccio, a professional engineer, earned her Ph.D. in biological and agricultural engineering. She began her UF career in 2005 as an assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead. There, Migliaccio focused on water conservation and management, while teaching graduate courses. She became a professor in UF’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in 2015 and has served as department chair since 2018.
Throughout her career in academia, Migliaccio has championed faculty development and enhancement of the student experience through peer mentoring and experiential learning opportunities.
The college will benefit from Migliaccio’s commitment to student support and opportunities, said Scott Angle, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and leader of UF/IFAS.
“Dr. Migliaccio established a program in her department to fund undergraduate research and participation in national competitions, and she hosted students from 11 schools across the Southeast for a rally that provided opportunities for competition, networking and mentorship,” Angle said.
Migliaccio’s service spans the entire university, as she played a central role developing UF’s five-year Quality Enhancement Plan for 2024-2029. The plan launched the “AI Across the Curriculum” initiative, which prepares students in 16 colleges for jobs of the future through courses and tools centered around artificial intelligence.
“She has distinguished herself as the leader we need to accelerate the rise of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to national prominence in the teaching of artificial intelligence and its use as an instructional tool,” Angle said.
The search for the new dean commenced in June when Dean Elaine Turner, Ph.D., announced plans to step down. Turner has led the college for a decade.
Migliaccio said she is honored to be selected.
“I look forward to the innovation and discovery ahead as we continue to provide teaching excellence and engagement to address pressing societal challenges and cultivate leaders in agricultural, natural resources and human systems,” she said.