Leadership
Our leadership staff provides overall direction for the College of Agriculture, which is dedicated to the land grant tradition of Auburn University: improving the lives of all Alabama citizens through research, instruction and outreach programs and preparing citizens to respond successfully to the challenges of a global economy.
Dean & Director
Dr. Paul Patterson
Contact
107 Comer Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
334-844-3209
pmp0003@auburn.edu
- Served as the College of Agriculture’s associate dean for instruction from 2009 to 2016.
- Previously served as dean of Arizona State University’s Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness.
- Started career as cotton analyst for the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
- Holds B.S. in agricultural business and economics from Auburn and M.S. and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Purdue University.
- Is a native of Auburn.
More About Paul Patterson
A native of Auburn, Paul Patterson has served as dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station since 2016. He has served at Auburn since 2009.
Associate Dean for Research, Associate Director of AAES
Dr. Arthur Appel
Contact
107 Comer Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5401
334-844-2562
appelag@auburn.edu
- Previously served as interim associate dean for research and interim associate director for AAES from June 2021 to April 2022.
- Previously served as interim dean for the College of Agriculture and interim director for AAES from July 2015 to February 2016.
- First served as interim associate dean for research and interim associate director for AAES from 2014 to 2016.
- Served as chair of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology from 2005 to 2014.
- Was named an Alumni Professor from 2001 to 2006.
- Has served at Auburn University since 1985.
More about Art Appel
Arthur Appel has served as associate dean for research and associate director for AAES since April 2022. He previously served as interim in the role from 2021 to 2022, 2014 to 2016, before serving as interim dean for the College of Agriculture and interim director for AAES. Appel served served at Auburn since 1985.
Associate Dean for Instruction
Dr. Amy Wright
Contact
- Oversees the College of Agriculture’s Office of Student Services, responsible for student recruitment, academic advising, curriculum, alumni mentoring and career advisement.
- Helps oversee the college’s Office of Global Programs.
- Conducts research in rain gardens and sustainable landscape horticulture.
- Holds a Ph.D. in horticultural science from North Carolina State University.
- Holds a B.S. in chemistry and M.S. in horticulture from Virginia Tech University.
More About Amy Wright
Amy Wright has served as the College of Agriculture associate dean for instruction since 2017. She is also a professor in Auburn’s Department of Horticulture, where she has served since 2002.
Associate Dean for Extension & Assistant Director for Agriculture, Forestry, & Natural Resource Extension Programs
Dr. Becky Barlow
Contact
Room 2301-B
Auburn University, AL 36849
- Serves as the College of Agriculture’s liaison with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
- Coordinates and leads programs that extension carries out in collaboration with the College of Agriculture as well as the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and Alabama A&M University.
- Has served as a faculty member in Auburn’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences since 2007.
- Was honored with Auburn’s Harry Murphy Endowed Professorship in 2020.
More About Becky Barlow
Before serving as associate dean for extension and assistant director for agriculture, forestry and natural resource extension programs, Becky Barlow had served in both roles on an interim basis since May 2021. She also served as an extension specialist and professor in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.