Goins Named College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Dean

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 29, 2026) – A former NASA scientist and nationally recognized research leader, academic administrator and innovator whose career reflects a sustained commitment to advancing student success, agricultural innovation and the land-grant mission has been appointed dean of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) following a nationwide search.

Gregory D. Goins, Ph.D., who has served as the college’s associate dean for agricultural research since 2022, will begin his new role Aug. 17.

“Dr. Goins brings extensive experience and an impressive record of impact through connecting research, student success and community engagement in service of our land-grant mission,” said Andrew Daire, Ph.D., provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “He understands both the rich history and the tremendous future potential of the college, which gives me confidence and excitement as he steps into the role.”

As CAES associate dean, Goins provides strategic oversight of the college’s $45 million research enterprise while advancing faculty success, graduate education, infrastructure development and external partnerships. He previously served as chair of the college’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.

Goins founded the Small Farms Resource and Innovation Center (SFRIC) at CAES, creating a signature institutional platform focused on strengthening small farms through applied research, experiential education, technical assistance, entrepreneurship and innovation-driven partnerships.

He has contributed to national agricultural policy and strategic priorities through his service on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers and as chair of the USDA Specialty Crop Committee, helping shape programs that support producer success, agricultural competitiveness and rural prosperity.

In 2024, Goins helped secure a National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engine initiative designed to establish a 42-county Agricultural Technology Innovation Corridor across North Carolina. This effort brings together universities, industry, nonprofits and community stakeholders to accelerate entrepreneurship, strengthen agricultural competitiveness and expand participation in innovation collaborations across agricultural communities.

During eight years as a scientist at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Goins led pioneering research in controlled-environment agriculture and received NASA’s highest scientific research recognition for designing plant growth experiments conducted aboard both space shuttles and the International Space Station. This work advanced the understanding of biological systems in extreme environments while contributing foundational knowledge to future food-production technologies.

He expanded his national impact through service as an NSF program director, overseeing investments in the Noyce, Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) and Scholarships in STEM (S-STEM) programs. Through this work, he helped shape national efforts to strengthen STEM education, broaden participation and improve pathways to student achievement and workforce development.

In recognition of his leadership in advancing student success and interdisciplinary education, the Obama White House in 2015 designated Goins as a Champion of Change for contributions to biomathematics—an emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates biological sciences with mathematical, statistical and computational approaches to solve complex societal challenges.

Goins earned his B.S. in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his M.S. and Ph.D. in crop physiology from North Carolina State University. He completed postdoctoral training with the USDA in St. Paul, Minnesota.