The interim dean of the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources has been named dean of the college.

The appointment of Kelly Crane, who has led the college since December 2023, was approved by the UW Board of Trustees Wednesday.

“Dr. Crane stepped up to provide crucial leadership for this foundational academic college at a key moment in its history,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “He has performed admirably in this role, connecting with key constituencies, earning the respect and trust of his faculty and staff, and moving forward new programs and initiatives. We’re delighted to remove the ‘interim’ label from his deanship.”

“I am humbled by the support of my UW colleagues and our college’s stakeholders throughout Wyoming. The College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources is composed of exceptional faculty and staff with an unquestionable commitment to serving students and expanding knowledge to help Wyoming address our most critical issues,” Crane says. “It is an absolute privilege to serve as the dean of a college that is uniquely poised to exemplify the mission of a land-grant university through our responsiveness, relevance, and accountability to Wyoming.”

Crane served as senior associate dean of the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources before becoming acting dean in December and then interim dean in March. In addition to being named senior associate dean in 2022, he assumed the role of director of the Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership bachelor’s degree program, which launched this fall.

Crane served UW Extension as an area educator and range specialist from 1994-2002. He established and was the principal consultant for Frontier Natural Resource Consulting until 2008, when he accepted the position of assistant professor/range extension specialist at the University of Idaho, which he held from 2008-2011. He rejoined UW in 2011 as associate director for UW Extension. In 2019, he was appointed associate dean and director of UW Extension.

Crane holds a Ph.D. in rangeland ecology and management and a Master of Science in range management, both from UW.