Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Parr Rosson has been named head of the department of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University, according to Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences for The Texas A&M University System at College Station.
“Parr is uniquely qualified to lead our agricultural economics department and build upon some of the nation’s top faculty, students, research and extension programming,” Hussey said.
Rosson assumes the department’s top leadership position after the retirement of Dr. John Nichols.
“I am looking forward to my new role, but most importantly working with some outstanding individuals in teaching, research and extension,” Rosson said. “My approach will be vision-led, engaged and highly active, participatory and facilitative, team focused and mission-oriented.”
Rosson has served as director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M and as an economist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service since 1989, specializing in international trade and marketing.
Most recently, his AgriLife Extension programming efforts have focused on exporting agricultural products to Cuba and other emerging markets, as well as the economic impacts of immigrant labor and invasive species. Much of this work has been provided to U.S. Congressional committees, state officials, commodity associations and farm organization leadership. His applied research efforts are directed to support his AgriLife Extension programs.
Rosson also teaches two upper-level undergraduate courses – international trade and agriculture and international agribusiness marketing.
Since 1995, Rosson has taught two masters level courses at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in applied economics and business administration, which now have 150 graduates. He has been director of the program in Guatemala since 2005.
Rosson has also co-authored a textbook, An Introduction to Agricultural Economics. The book is now in its fifth edition and has been adopted by 68 institutions in the U.S. and other countries.
Rosson holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, plus master’s and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics, from Texas A&M.
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