Tracy Hoover, Ph.D.

Tracy S. Hoover is associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Agricultural Sciences, providing leadership, advocacy, and facilitation in support of faculty and staff excellence in teaching and advising. Working in concert with talented staff and faculty from within the unit and across the college, the office is responsible for coordination of a proactive student recruitment and retention program. This includes the establishment and maintenance of strong relationships with other Penn State colleges and campuses, alumni, industry, and food, agriculture, and natural resource leaders in the Commonwealth.

Other responsibilities include leading efforts for curricular revitalization and learning outcomes assessment across the college and supporting the globalization of teaching and learning activities. Her office oversees the administration of the college's scholarship and experiential learning programs and ensures the quality and integrity of college, departmental, and interdepartmental academic programs. She also serves on several University and external committees.

Dr. Hoover joined the Penn State faculty in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education in 1990. In 1993, she left to teach at the University of Florida. She returned to Penn State in 2001, with responsibilities in youth leadership development and teacher education. From 2004 to 2011, she served as a department head. In July 2011, she became interim associate dean for undergraduate education, and the following year she was named to the post on a standing basis.

Courses Taught

Co-taught HORT 150N, Plants in the Human Context

Co-taught HORT 499, Walking in the Footsteps of the Irish during the Irish Potato Famine: Examinations of New World Crops in Old World Societies