A scholar and administrator who has directed and taught at land-grant and branch campuses in Kentucky and Georgia has been selected to lead the University of Wyoming at Casper, according to a prepared statement from the university.

Jeff Edgens will serve as associate dean of the UW Outreach School as well as the  director of UW-Casper.

His appointment begins May 31.

“We are delighted to have someone of Dr. Edgens’ background and aptitude agree to fill this crucial role in continuing to advance UW’s long-standing and growing presence in Casper,” said Susan Frye, dean of the UW Outreach School.

“His experience in building and leading outreach campuses, combined with his understanding of our land-grant mission, results in what we expect will be an ideal fit for UW-Casper," Frye said.

Most recently, Edgens has served as associate vice president of academic affairs at Thomas University, a private, liberal arts, comprehensive university in southwest Georgia.

Before that, he was the founding director of East Georgia State College at Augusta; dean of external programs at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga.; assistant dean for academic affairs at Georgia Military College; and the founding director of Morehead State University’s branch campus in Jackson, Ky.

Edgens earned a doctorate in water policy and law from Michigan State University. He also served on the faculty of the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service and Department of Forestry.

He received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of West Florida at Pensacola, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C.

“I am excited at the opportunity to help UW-Casper reach even higher levels of academic accomplishment while maintaining operational efficiency,” Edgens said.

He and his wife, Janie, said they look forward to living in Casper and enjoying the community, the arts and the outdoors.

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