Kathryn VandenBosch
Dean and Director
608.262.4930 – kate.vandenbosch@wisc.edu
Kathryn VandenBosch became dean of the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in March 2012. Prior to that, VandenBosch was a professor of plant biology at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. In 2001, she became head of the plant biology department there, but took a brief hiatus in 2006 to serve as interim dean of the newly formed College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. She also served as a member and former chair of the executive committees of both the Faculty Senate and the University Senate.
VandenBosch’s research focused on the genetics of plant-microbe interactions and nitrogen fixation in legumes, a family that includes several agriculturally important species. In 2009, VandenBosch was named a fellow of the American Society of Plant Biologists.
Prior to her tenure at the University of Minnesota, VandenBosch was a faculty member at Texas A&M University for 12 years. She holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in botany from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and spent time at both UW-Madison and the John Innes Institute in Great Britain as a postdoctoral associate.

Mark Rickenbach
Senior Associate Dean
608.890.0225 – mark.rickenbach@wisc.edu
As senior associate dean, Rickenbach is responsible for working with the dean on policy issues, long-range strategic planning, and implementation of change. He is the primary point of contact for departments and UW-administrative units on faculty affairs and leads diversity and inclusion efforts related to recruitment and retention. He provides oversight for facilities, planning, health and safety, international programs, and manages the college’s administrative team.

William Barker
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs
608.262.6792 – william.barker@wisc.edu
Barker is responsible for the administration, management and supervision of the college’s research enterprise. He oversees matters pertaining to compliance and assurance with funding agencies, animal care and use, biosafety, intellectual property and the responsible conduct of research within CALS.

Carol Hillmer
Associate Dean for Human Resources
608.265.5495 – carol.hillmer@wisc.edu
Hillmer oversees the operations of CALS Human Resources, as they assist and support units throughout the college in all aspects of employment, human relations, payroll and benefits management, as well as HR partnerships throughout the college. She is the liaison for CALS with the campus Office of Human Resources, Benefits Services, Legal Services and other campus partners. She also supervises HR staff, which includes leadership, guidance, support and assistance with complex issues.

Douglas Reinemann
Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach
608.262.9812 – doug.reinemann@wisc.edu
Reinemann provides leadership for the organization, content and effectiveness of extension and outreach programs related to agriculture and natural resources, and community and economic development. He works closely with UW-Extension and CALS leadership, county extension agents and nearly 100 CALS faculty and staff who hold extension appointments to ensure that the college’s extension and outreach activities are timely and integral.

Angie Seitler
Associate Dean for Business Services 
608.261.1432 – angela.seitler@wisc.edu
Seitler oversees the daily operations of CALS Business Services, CALS IT, and the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station. She is in charge of all aspects of college budgeting, financial planning, data management, and information technology. She also manages the start up and budgeting of revenue generating accounts, as well as trust Fund and UW Foundation expenditures and balances.

Karen Wassarman
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
608.262.3003 – karen.wassarman@wisc.edu
Wassarman oversees the undergraduate student services in CALS, including curriculum assessment, international programs, career services and internships, scholarships and financial aid. She manages the Office of Academic Affairs and the Farm and Industry Short Course program.

Heidi Zoerb
Associate Dean for External Relations and Advancement
608.262.4849 – heidi.zoerb@wisc.edu
Zoerb oversees CALS’ external relations efforts, leads the CALS External Relations team, works with the UW Foundation to advance the college’s development priorities, and advises the dean on matters related to the college’s public image and stakeholder relations.

Erica Flyte
Program Assistant Advanced Confidential
608.262.3186 – erica.flyte@wisc.edu
Flyte provides administrative support to the associate dean for research and graduate programs and the associate dean for extension and outreach, including scheduling and travel.

Mandy Goetsch
Program Assistant Advanced Confidential
608.890.0268 – amanda.goetsch@wisc.edu
Goetsch provides administrative support to the senior associate dean and assistant dean for facilities, planning, health, and safety, including scheduling and travel. She provides support to the Facilities Planning Committee.

Therese McHenry
Program Assistant Advanced Confidential
608.262.4930 –therese.mchenry@wisc.edu
McHenry provides administrative support to the dean, including calendaring and travel. She coordinates parking for the college, serves as the college chair for the annual Partners in Giving campaign, and assists with college-wide events such as CALS awards and all-college meetings.

Julie Scharm
Administrative Program Specialist
608.262.9812 – julie.scharm@wisc.edu
Scharm manages the office, including supervision of office staff and coordination of efforts and workflow. She provides support to the dean’s leadership team, assists the senior associate dean with faculty personnel administration, and assists the associate dean for extension and outreach with administrative leadership.