Partnering closely with Senior Associate Dean Sahara Byrne, Moreau will oversee CALS faculty, department affairs and sponsored research, as well as the academic aspects of facilities, financial planning and human resources.
Serving since January 2023 as senior associate dean for the Office of Access and Community Empowerment, Moreau has set the strategy, vision and direction for the college’s equity work as they relate to faculty recruitment, retention and cross-cutting initiatives with the broader university. In this role she convened and oversaw a college level task force, worked to create and implement evidence-informed policies and procedures, and collaborated with several CALS committees to create pathways for meaningful change. Moreau will continue to serve in this capacity until June 30.
“It has been such a privilege and honor to serve the college for the last two and a half years in the Office of Access and Community Empowerment,” Moreau said. “I have learned so much about the intellect, passion and commitment of our students, staff and faculty, and look forward to continuing to serve them in this new role.”
Moreau joined the CALS faculty in 2018 and has held numerous leadership positions across the university, including appointments as the Martha N. and John C. Moser Professor of Arthropod Biosystematics and Biodiversity at CALS and director and curator of the Cornell University Insect Collection. In addition, she has served on many university and college committees, including on the Cornell Office of Faculty Development and Diversity advisory committee, Cornell Belonging’s lead for CALS and as an Advisory Science Board Member of the Comstock Publishing imprint for Cornell University Press.
Moreau will succeed Angert, professor of microbiology, who has served in the CALS leadership role since March 2021. Angert will return to full-time research, investigating giant bacteria and working to shed light on the role herbivores play in maintaining fragile and endangered coral reefs.
“I would like to thank Esther for her incredible service to our college, faculty and administrative team,” Houlton said. “She has been a major asset to our college’s administration, and her impact has been wide-ranging.”
Throughout her tenure as senior associate dean, Angert has helped the college leadership team navigate many challenges and transitions. She played an instrumental role in the development and implementation of the college’s new approach to faculty hiring – recruiting top talent into moonshot cohorts as part of the CALS Roadmap to 2050. She also facilitated the hiring of 33 tenure-track faculty, with an additional 15 currently in recruitment or negotiations, and managed 39 tenure and/or promotion cases as well as securing seven successful retentions.
Angert has a history of service to the college and university. She served as interim senior associate dean for the Office of Access and Community Empowerment prior to the start of Moreau’s appointment. Additionally, she regularly engaged in key communications for the CALS Faculty Executive Committee and supported several critical administrative hires into college units and programs, including the recruitment of 14 chairs and program directors and eight reappointments. She served as chair of the Department of Microbiology, and as co-chair and chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee. Her committee service included membership on the CALS Diversity Committee, as well as the university’s Faculty Committee for Program Review and Appeals Panel.
“I appreciate everyone who has worked with me over the past four years,” Angert said. “It’s been gratifying to see what we’ve accomplished through these strong, collaborative relationships. I am proud to have contributed to faculty support and renewal, while staying true to the core philosophy and values that define this institution. I am especially grateful to Ben for giving me the opportunity to be part of such meaningful work.”
