Virginia State University Welcomes Back Former U.S. Deputy Secretary Of Agriculture As Interim Dean Of The VSU College Of Agriculture

Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, a national trailblazer and renowned leader in agriculture, returns to VSU.

Virginia State University proudly announces the return of a distinguished leader and trailblazer in agriculture, Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh, as the interim dean of the College of Agriculture.

Dr. Bronaugh is no stranger to VSU or the national agricultural landscape. She previously served as dean of the VSU College of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015, before being tapped for high-impact leadership roles at the state and federal levels. In 2021, she made history as the first Black woman appointed United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture by then-President Joe Biden, where she oversaw the daily operations of the USDA and led efforts focused on equity, innovation, and sustainability.

Following her initial tenure at VSU, Dr. Bronaugh was appointed Virginia State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency, where she directed the implementation of critical farm programs throughout the Commonwealth. In 2018, then-Governor Ralph Northam appointed her as the 16th Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. During her time in that role, she launched the Virginia Farmer Stress Task Force, addressing mental health challenges in rural communities, and established the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund, the first state-funded initiative to expand healthy food access in historically marginalized areas.

Most recently, Dr. Bronaugh served as president and CEO of the 1890 Universities Foundation, advocating nationally for the 19 historically Black land-grant universities.

Dr. Bronaugh now returns to the institution where her legacy of service in agriculture first took root. She succeeds Dr. Derrick Scott, who has been serving as Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture.