College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Office of Culture, Access and Belonging

Quentin R. Tyler, PhD, has been named associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU). He will begin his post in March 2018. 

Tyler currently serves as assistant dean and director of diversity at the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. In that role, he has provided leadership in strengthening workplace diversity, recruiting and retaining a diverse student body, building cultural competency, as well as monitoring assessment and reporting activities. 

“Diversity, equity and inclusion are focal areas for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,” said Ron Hendrick, CANR dean. “Quentin brings a lot of skills and experience to an area where we have need and there is opportunity. We will benefit from his leadership and I am looking forward to having him join the leadership team.” 

Tyler earned his degrees at the University of Kentucky, including bachelor and master’s degrees in agricultural economics, and a doctorate in sociology. Additionally, he holds a diversity and inclusion professional certificate from Cornell University. 

“It is exciting to join a globally recognized and ranked college,” Tyler said. “I was able to get to know Dean Hendrick over the last couple of months and I believed in him, his vision, and his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. I look forward to being a part of his leadership team to bring about an even greater competitive advantage in extension, teaching, and research.”

In addition to his role as assistant dean at the University of Kentucky, Tyler is principal investigator of the Governor’s Minority College Preparation Program. This program works to increase awareness among students about the benefits of attending college.

He is board chair for the National Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). He serves as a liaison between the National MANRRS Executive Committee and the National MANRRS Advisory Board, and has served in several other roles with National MANRRS, including president.

Tyler said he sees many opportunities at MSU to make an impact.

“I see opportunities to increase diversity at all levels of the college,” Tyler said. “To create learning and development opportunities to ensure equity and inclusion, and to work with outstanding leaders to create a college that thrives on collaborations, encouragement, empowerment, and creating a sense of belonging for all. In particular, I think there is an opportunity for growth in increasing faculty diversity while also ensuring their success.”

Tyler has experience as a State Youth Coordinator for the University of Kentucky, and an extension associate for Diversity Recruitment and Retention at UK. He also served as an economist for the United States Department of Agriculture.

“My hope is that we are a leading college in diversity, equity, and inclusion not only at Michigan State, but across the country,” Tyler said. “And, that we are viewed by stakeholders, current and prospective students, faculty and staff as a college that has a true commitment to inclusive excellence.”