Dean Saskia van de Gevel

Serving as Dean of the Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment is a true honor and privilege. Every day, I feel grateful to work with talented faculty, dedicated staff, outstanding students, engaged alumni, and valued partners. We all share a passion for improving our forests, waters, wildlife, communities, and the environment. Together, we're inspiring and mentoring the next generation of leaders to solve some of society's most pressing natural resource and environmental challenges.

With more than 17 years of academic leadership experience, I believe higher education should prepare students to lead with confidence, foster discovery through research and hands-on learning, and create opportunities to improve the communities and environments we serve. My role is to help people succeed by creating opportunities for collaboration, discovery, and growth. I support faculty excellence, invest in hands-on student experiences, and encourage interdisciplinary partnerships across the college. I also work to strengthen connections between Virginia Tech and communities, government agencies, industry, and organizations worldwide.

My first year as dean has reinforced what makes CNRE so special: our people and our willingness to collaborate. We have strengthened our leadership team, launched new investments in interdisciplinary research, expanded engagement with alumni and employers, and begun important conversations about our college's future. We have also continued to expand opportunities for students through real-world problem solving, field experiences, and industry partnerships that prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives of service.

Leadership, to me, is rooted in listening, openness, and collaboration. I believe in creating opportunities for conversation, encouraging new ideas, and collaborating to solve challenges. We aim to continually strengthen our college and build a community where faculty, staff, and students can do their best work.

CNRE is passionate about engaging students in hands-on, real-world learning experiences that prepare them for successful careers. By strengthening relationships with employers, alumni, and industry partners, we’re creating more opportunities for students to apply what they learn in meaningful ways and help solve real environmental and community challenges. We recognize the growing importance of practical fieldwork, community involvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. I believe CNRE is well-positioned to lead by combining scientific innovation with practical solutions that make a real difference in people's lives and help preserve our natural environment.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the promising opportunities on the horizon. Rapid advances in geospatial science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics are transforming our understanding and stewardship of natural resources. Our progress is driven by collaborations across environmental intelligence, geospatial technology, and applied research. Partnering more closely with industry, federal agencies, and security organizations is creating new avenues for innovation and meaningful impact.

Public universities have a unique responsibility to serve society. At CNRE, we advance knowledge, educate future leaders, and develop environmental solutions that will benefit Virginia, the nation, and the world. I am excited about what we will accomplish together and grateful to be part of a community that lives by Virginia Tech's motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).