The Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sathya Gopalakrishnan as interim chair, effective June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, or until a new chair is named.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan currently serves as a professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics and is a faculty member in the Environmental Science Graduate Program. She joined Ohio State in 2011 and recently completed a Faculty Fellow appointment with the Office of Faculty and Staff Affairs. She also is a founding member and former director of the STEAM Factory.
As interim chair, Dr. Gopalakrishnan will support the continued success and development of ACEL’s undergraduate and graduate programs, strengthen collaborations with university and external partners, and help advance the department’s mission and vision. He also will oversee the department’s fiscal and human resources while supporting its work across multiple locations and funding streams.
It was announced in late April that Dr. Shannon Washburn, current chair of ACEL, has been selected to serve as the associate dean of academic programs in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, effective June 1, 2026.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sathya Gopalakrishnan on her appointment as interim chair of ACEL and wishing Dr. Washburn much success in his new role with CFAES.