Dean's Office

Eva J. Pell, Steimer Professor of Agricultural Sciences, is senior vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate School. Her research interests include the effects of air pollution on vegetation, with an emphasis on mechanistic studies at the biochemical, molecular, physiological, and whole plant levels.

Regina Vasilatos-Younken, senior associate dean, is responsible for operations and planning of the Graduate School. She oversees the Graduate School staff, who provide enrollment services (from admissions, to the Thesis Guide, to commencement), help graduate students obtain fellowships and awards, and work toward the recruitment and retention of underrepresented scholars. The Graduate School cosponsors the yearly Graduate Exhibition and offers many seminars and programs throughout the year.

Mark Wardell, associate dean of Graduate Student Affairs, is responsible for Graduate School programming directly related to graduate students. He reviews Graduate Council policies to ensure consistency with the goals of graduate education at Penn State, mediates graduate student and faculty concerns, and advises faculty and administrators about anticipated issues and possible solutions.