Kristen Govoni, PhD

Associate Dean of Academic Programs

Dr. Kristen Govoni serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Programs in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and the Director of the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture (RHSA). She provides college-wide leadership for undergraduate education, academic affairs, and advising in CAHNR which includes over 2,300 students, 17 majors, and 23 minors. She works closely with the leadership team to promote implementation of CAHNR’s strategic vision in all aspects of undergraduate education and facilitates opportunities for life transforming education for all students.

Under her leadership, the Office of Academic Programs (OAP) supports academic advising for CAHNR students in Storrs and all regional campuses, oversees assessment and accreditation of CAHNR undergraduate programs, coordinates undergraduate student-focused CAHNR events and ceremonies, including commencement, scholars awards ceremony, open house events, new student orientation and teaching workshops, supports faculty training related to academic programs, teaching approaches, advising, and student success, and manages selection and awarding over $1 million in scholarships to students annually. Dr. Govoni represents UConn to the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities Academic Program Section and serves on the board of directors.

Dr. Govoni is an internationally recognized scholar. She has 55 peer-reviewed publications and 100 abstracts in the field of animal growth, metabolism, and fetal programming. She has served as PI or Co-PI on over $7.4 million in research and teaching grants and mentored 35 graduate students and over 100 undergraduate students.

Dr. Govoni has received numerous awards including the USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences, Northeast Region; ASAS/ADSA Northeast Distinguished Service Award; The Presidential M1 Mentorship Award Program; Petit Family Foundation Women in Science Leadership Award, Connecticut Science Center; Donald M. Kinsman Award for Excellence in CANR/RHSA Undergraduate Teaching by Junior Faculty; ASAS/ADSA Northeast Young Scientist Award for Research.