A Dominican appointed to serve as interim Dean of the Graduate School at Alabama A&M University

Effective July 1, 2015 Dr. Colmore S. Christian, a Dominican, will serve in the office of interim Associate Prevost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School at Alabama A&M University, in Huntsville Alabama.

Dr. Christian joined the faculty of the Forestry, Ecology and Wildlife Program at Alabama A & M University (AAMU) as an Associate Professor- Forestry and Outreach in January 2007. He received tenure and was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 2012. He regularly teaches Introduction to Forestry and Forest Recreation courses but has occasionally taught First Year Experience and Natural Resources Policy (undergraduate and graduate levels) courses.

Prior to joining the AAMU family Dr. Christian served for many years in the public sector in Dominica. There he held senior positions such as Permanent Secretary, Director - Forestry and Wildlife, and National Park Superintendent. In his capacity as Permanent Secretary Dr. Christian served in the Ministries of Tourism and Employment, Agriculture and the Environment, and Lands, Telecommunications, Energy and Ports.

Dr. Christian earned his doctorate and master's degrees in Parks Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina and his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also holds an Associate Degree in Forestry from the Cyprus Forestry College, Prodromos, Cyprus. His publications and research focus primarily on Outdoor Recreation, Underserved Landowners' Issues, Agroforestry (Riparian Buffers), Non-Timber Forest Products, and Nature/Ecotourism (particularly in the context of island-nations).

"It was indeed a pleasant surprise when I was invited by Dr. Wims, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at AAMU, to consider serving as interim Associate Prevost and Dean of Graduate School," Dr. Christian noted.

He continued: "The fact that the Provost and Vice President invited me to serve at that senior level is an indication of his recognition and acknowledgement of my strong academic qualifications, scholarly competence in research and grantsmanship, and organizational skills." "I am going to do everything thing possible to position myself as the best candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis when it is finally advertised`" Dr. Christian added.

In the meantime, "I encourage qualified Dominican candidates to consider applying to AAMU for their graduate studies. We have nationally recognized and strong graduate programs in Urban and Community Planning, Engineering and Technology Food Science, Plant and Soil Sciences, and Social Work", he concluded.

Dr. Christian currently serves as Faculty Advisor to AAMU's Chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), a national organization. Dr. Christian is Secretary to the 1890 Agroforestry Consortium, an association of forestry and natural resource professionals based at land grant institutions in the South-eastern US. He is also the current President of the Caribbean Association of North Alabama (CANA) a social group whose mission is to unite and empower the Caribbean Community of North Alabama.