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K-State Today

September 25, 2014

College of Agriculture administrative reorganization announced

Submitted by Elaine Edwards

Nina Lilja and Ernie Minton

Positions were redefined for two members of the College of Agriculture leadership team, Ernie Minton and Nina Lilja, resulting in an administrative reorganization.

Minton was named the associate dean of research and graduate programs for the College of Agriculture and associate director of research for K-State Research and Extension. He was formerly the associate director of research and technology transfer for K-State Research and Extension.

"With our sizeable graduate program, research is very important to the College of Agriculture," said John Floros, dean, K-State College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. "Ernie will oversee the connection of graduate programs to research."

Minton promotes research and the development of research and graduate programs throughout the college. He also works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which provides federal support for the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. He is responsible for executing the research vision for the college and K-State Research and Extension.

Lilja was named associate dean of international programs for College of Agriculture. She was formerly the director of international agricultural programs.

"With this new title change, we send out the message that international programs are very important to us and we need an individual at that level to oversee this effort," said Floros.

Lilja will administer and provide leadership and vision for the development and implementation of effective science-based international agriculture programs. She is responsible for proactively seeking and securing extramural funds for international research programs and funding opportunities for faculty.

Most recently, Lilja has been instrumental in securing several international projects for the university, including U.S. Agency for International Development Feed the Future Innovation Labs, totaling nearly $100 million.