ASU Alum Appointed as New College of Graduate Studies Dean

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Dr. Micheal W. Salisbury, chair of the Angelo State University Department of Agriculture, has been appointed the new dean of ASU’s College of Graduate Studies and Research, effective June 1.

An Angelo State alum and an ASU faculty member since 2001, Salisbury is also a professor of animal science, a research scientist and director of the Management, Instruction and Research (MIR) Center, ASU’s 6,500-acre ranch and agriculture education facility just north of San Angelo. He taught previously at the University of Tennessee.

As chair of the Department of Agriculture, Salisbury oversees 14 ASU faculty and staff, 14 adjunct research faculty, more than 475 undergraduate and graduate students in nine degree and certificate programs, and a budget of over $1.8 million. As a research scientist, he has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in research grants and has published and/or presented more than 130 research articles, abstracts and papers for industry journals, research bulletins and professional conferences. He has also made more than 50 invited presentations at agricultural and animal science workshops and symposia.

In addition to teaching all levels of animal science courses, Salisbury has advised more than 30 graduate students on their master’s thesis research and has been a member of more than 50 graduate student thesis committees.

Dr. Don Topliff, ASU provost and vice president for academic affairs, announced Salisbury’s appointment.

Dr. Don Topliff“Following a national search and on-campus interviews with three excellent candidates, Dr. Salisbury was selected as the new dean,” Topliff said. “He is a true product of ASU, has proven his leadership as a professor and department chair, and has a tremendous record for conducting and publishing valuable research. He brings a wealth of experience to the dean position and will provide excellent leadership to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.”

In addition to his teaching and research, Salisbury is supervisor of ASU’s Rambouillet Sheep Show Team, coach of the national champion Wool Judging Team and advisor of the Block and Bridle Club student organization. He is also a board member of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, Farm and Ranch Museum of the Concho Valley and ASU Alumni Association. He is the superintendent of the Collegiate Wool Judging Contests at the San Angelo, San Antonio and Houston stock shows, is active in regional and national 4-H and FFA activities, and is a member of the Texas Rambouillet Sheep Breeders’ Association.

Salisbury earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from ASU and his Ph.D. in animal science from New Mexico State University. 

As dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, Salisbury will oversee ASU’s 28 graduate degree programs and 13 graduate certificate and certification programs, as well as all research programs and opportunities for faculty, undergraduates and graduate students. He replaces the previous dean, Dr. Susan Keith, who has returned to the teaching faculty in the ASU Department of Kinesiology.