Leadership

Executive Dean Lawson provides leadership and oversight for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. She works closely with university leaders to develop and implement strategic initiatives that reflect and advance the university's research, education, and outreach missions.

Lauren Errickson leads the development, programming, and operation of Rutgers Gardens. Lauren actively engages key stakeholders including Rutgers Gardens advisors, supporters, members, volunteers, and visitors; university faculty, staff and students; and statewide industry and community partners. Additionally, she leads outreach initiatives to promote Rutgers Gardens and educational efforts to increase public knowledge related to horticulture, ecology, and health.

Megan Francis leads strategic planning for internationalization and global initiatives at SEBS. She supports international partnerships, faculty-led projects abroad, and the integration of global perspectives into campus programming. She oversees study abroad programs, supports international students, and represents SEBS on university global committees, collaborating with Rutgers Global to advance international education across the New Brunswick campus.

Josh Kohut works closely and collaboratively with faculty, chairs, staff, and administration to support our land-grant mission and research excellence. He oversees all aspects of our research enterprise, including federal capacity funds and compliance, assuring all research follows appropriate ethical standards, financial sustainability, and academic excellence. He is an active member of the Executive Dean’s leadership team. He also represent SEBS/NJAES on the Deans of Research Council of the Vice Provost for Research.

Ann Brooks Gould is responsible for all undergraduate programs, budget, and general administration for SEBS. She is also responsible for the administrative aspects of undergraduate education at SEBS, including course and curriculum revisions, teaching assistant and part-time lecturer allocations, articulations with New Jersey community colleges, and assessment of school academic programs. She is a faculty member in the Department of Plant Biology, specializing in diseases of woody and herbaceous ornamental plants.

Janice McDonnell is responsible for building and supporting the capacity of our SEBS/NJAES community of researchers to maximize their research impact. She connects the people, ideas, and tools that drive discovery with communities throughout New Jersey and beyond to advance scientific innovation, communication, and engagement. She collaborates with faculty and staff to build capacity, enable community engaged co-creation of research, and increase the communication of our research impact to public audiences across the state

James Oehmke is responsible for the development and implementation of new economic development initiatives at NJAES such as the Rutgers Food Innovation Center, as well as administrative oversight of existing programs such as the Rutgers EcoComplex, Center for Advanced Food Technology, the Multispecies Aquaculture Demonstration Facility and the NJAES Technology Transfer program. He also provides economic assessments and operational recommendations for NJAES programs.

Lia Papathomas supports government and stakeholder relations that are central to our land-grant mission. She serves as the primary point of contact for external constituencies and builds connections both within SEBS and across Rutgers to identify new collaborative opportunities and support existing programs. She is the main contact for the NJAES Board of Managers. She assures communication and follow-through pertaining to requests, feedback, and advisory representation from state and federal agricultural advisory groups and others.

Troy is responsible in implementing the SEBS Diversity Action Plan. Their mission is to support diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values in our work, interactions, and planning as a community of learning and research to develop a culture of belonging, and a commitment to each individual's dignity. Troy amplifies our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, and community engagement. Troy also serves as a representative on key campus committees and efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Brian Schilling leads all Cooperative Extension programs. Rutgers Cooperative Extension helps New Jersey's diverse population to adapt to a rapidly changing society and improve their lives and communities through an educational process that uses science-based knowledge.

Gerben Zylstra supports the growth, development, and quality of graduate programs and graduate education occurring at SEBS/NJAES. He works with the School of Graduate Studies to ensure our policies, practices, and procedures are aligned and understood by students and faculty to offer 4+1 programs, post-graduate degrees, and TA/GA allocations. In accordance with the Rutgers Academic Plan, his office supports student success, expands pathways to achieve their career goals, and fosters collaborations across Rutgers University as a whole.

Carl Leikhram is responsible for managing effective marketing and messaging to support the SEBS/NJAES. He ensures that organizational communication needs are met through strategic outreach that executes a mission that promotes diversity, research, and academic achievement. As part of the Dean's Executive Leadership Team, Carl works cross-functionally with university units, to ensure greater organizational effectiveness, consistency, and clarity of all communication campaigns.

Gabrielle Peterson is the chief advancement officer for the school and experiment station. She oversees the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement, leading all fundraising efforts including major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, gift planning, and annual giving.

Mazen Shehat oversees all administrative and financial functions supporting the school and experiment station. He leads budgeting, financial reporting, and resource allocation to ensure long-term sustainability and support institutional priorities. With expertise in fiscal management, strategic planning, and operations, he drives efficiencies, aligns financial strategies with institutional goals, and fosters transparency, accountability, and collaboration to advance academic and research excellence.