CAHNR Faculty and Staff Monthly Newsletter

Dear Colleagues,

I am truly honored to share this first newsletter message with you as the interim Dean of CAHNR. Stepping into this role, I am filled with appreciation for the work you do every day—work that has a real impact across our state, our nation, and around the world.

From advancing research in agriculture, health, environment and sustainability, to engaging deeply with communities across Connecticut through extension, to preparing the next generation of leaders, CAHNR truly excels in the land-grant mission. Even as we navigate a time of financial constraints, I see incredible resilience, creativity, and purpose across CAHNR.

While the challenges are real, so too is our potential. I am confident that by working together, prioritizing strategically, and building on our many assets, we will continue to move forward. We have a strong foundation, built by your dedication, innovation, and spirit of collaboration.

In the weeks ahead, I look forward to hearing your ideas, learning from your experiences, and supporting you in the work that makes CAHNR such a vital part of UConn and the communities we serve. Thank you for all you do and for the opportunity to lead alongside you during this important time.

Best,

Kumar Venkitanarayanan
Interim Dean and Director

Get to Know Interim Dean, Kumar Venkitanarayanan

What are you passionate about outside of work?
Outside of my role at CAHNR, I am passionate about reading and spending time with family.

What is your favorite book OR what was the last book you read and how many stars would you give it?
The last book I read was The Secret Life of Sunflowers. This book is a historical fiction by Marta Molnar and Dana Marton. It is about Johanna Bonger, sister-in-law of the famous painter, Vincent van Gogh. She inherited all his paintings. I liked the book and give it 4 stars.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I'm not sure if it is a talent, but I have been playing chess since middle school and used to participate in chess competitions at the college/state level in India.

What’s a place on your travel bucket list?
Ladakh, located in the northern part of India in the trans-Himalayan region. It has beautiful landscapes, high mountain passes and lakes. It's been on my list to visit ever since I learned about it in high school.

Favorite Dairy Bar flavor?
Vanilla.

What excites you about the future at CAHNR/UConn?
The College benefits from so many talented faculty and a dedicated staff who play a vital role in shaping the future of CAHNR. With its strong foundation and expertise, CAHNR is well-positioned to address global challenges, particularly those impacting agriculture, the environment, and human health.