GEORGE ACQUAAH (Citizenship: United States of America)

ACADEMIC PREPARATION 1987 1979 1975

Ph.D. Plant Breeding and Genetics Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA. M.Sc. Crop Science University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW

2008 – Present

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Bowie State University

Responsibilities – include: oversight for quality of academic programs in teaching, research, and service; strategic planning, budgeting, and fundraising; faculty and staff development; recruitment, outreach, and alumni engagement; and program evaluation for continuous improvement. Manage eight departments: Computer Science, Mathematics, Fine and Performing Arts, English and Modern Languages, Military Science, Communications, History and Government, Natural Sciences, comprising:19 baccalaureate (BA/BS), four MS, one DSc, and one Post Graduate Certificate degrees. Total undergraduate enrollment (fall 2015) = 1457; graduate enrollment = 226. Fulltime faculty = 127; adjuncts vary between 50-72 each semester; 20 staff; highly diverse group from over 20 countries; about 40:60% female to male ratio. Annual budget of approximately $15 million. Highlights of achievements Undergraduate enrollment (last five years) increased 14%; graduate enrollment increased 73% Two new BS degrees established; Two accreditations secured (ABET). Seven new research/teaching labs established. College consistently responsible for 65-70% of all campus extramural funds raised. Personal grants efforts total approximately $1,700,000 in last five years. Significant scholarly work includes two acclaimed textbooks and journal articles. Activity Director for campus wide Undergraduate Research and Tutoring programs. Co-supervised capital improvements involving over $180 million construction projects. Fund and friends raising: includes $1.5 million from IBM.

2007-2008 June, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs 1997-2008 Chairperson/Professor, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Langston Univ., OK. Responsibilities:- Include oversight of academic functions pertaining to academic programs (designing, implementing, assessing, budgeting and fiscal management, recruitment, advising, etc.); strong engagement of Federal agencies for workforce development and placement; faculty and staff development; teaching, research, and service; fundraising, and community engagement. Highlights of achievements Enrollment doubled. Two new BS and two Associate Degrees created; Three new teaching/research labs created. Six new courses developed; Fifteen courses taught; Research conducted Five textbooks published; over $2 million in grants secured, personally.

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Community engagement activities increased. Successful re-accreditation secured (North Central Association) as one of team leaders.

1979-1983

Lecturer, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Responsibilities – Member of the founding faculty and staff for the new School of Agriculture; developed curriculum and courses for crop science component of the program; taught courses and conducted research. ACDEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

2008-Present Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Bowie State University Reports to the Provost and VP for Academic Affairs. Selected Accomplishments Provided leadership to the largest college on campus, leading to changed attitude to embrace excellence as core value, and pursuit of scholarship as hallmark of the academy. Faculty enthusiastically embraced the vision of Teacher-Scholar College. Developed vision and strategic plan for the College. Increased enrollment (from 2010): undergraduate up 14%; graduate up 73%. Two new degree programs added: BS Bioinformatics, and BS Visual Communications and Digital Media Arts; BS Chemistry in the pipeline. Secured reaccreditation of Computer Science BS program with ABET; secured new accreditation of Computer Technology BS program with ABET; Computer Science designated NSA National Center of Excellence in Information Assurance Formed the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors (CASBOA) to assist with fundraising, program advancement, and student placement in industry. College consistently accounts for 65-70% of all extramural funds received annually by university. Last seven-year total is approximately $15 million. Major lab equipment procured for STEM research includes DNA analyzer, X-ray defractometer, HPLC, electron microscope (refurbished). As a result of my initiative to promote research, major research labs (faculty grant-funded) have been established or augmented: - including Genomics lab, Virtual Reality lab, Medicinal Chemistry lab, Metabolomics labs, Cybersecurity lab, Mobile Devices lab, protein crystallography lab. Had co-oversight of a $79 million Fine and Performing Arts Center, complete in 2012. Has co-oversight of ongoing $105 million Nursing, Math, and Natural Sciences Center, to open in late 2016. New classroom facilities established include three Smart Classrooms, and three Math labs. Established the Center for Global Engagement to promote and facilitate international programing including study abroad; established a 3-credit hour Gen. Ed course for study abroad. Established the SAS Connection (Science Arts and Society connection), a TV outreach to the community on subjects of general interest as well as College programs. Established the Bowie Med Program to promote interest in medicine and related fields and assist students with preparation and application to medical school. Established the Graduate School Head Start Program to promote and coordinate efforts for graduate education. Established the Scholars Forum, to promote intellectual discourse on topics of interest to faculty members, and promote the pursuit of scholarship on campus. Established the Early Career Faculty Development Program, a mentoring program to assist new faculty entering the academic to plan for success. Established three named lecture series, to celebrate the life and achievements of noted world personalities: Kwame Nkrumah Conference and Lectures; Martin Luther King Jr Conference and Lectures, and the Nelson Mandel Ubuntu Institute.

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Established the annual College of Arts and Sciences Celebration of Excellence, to recognize and promote achievement by faculty, staff and students. Established the STEMing the TIDE (promoting Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Through Integrated and Diversified Experiences) initiative as a comprehensive strategy for how the campus pursues STEM education through engaging industry as partners. Established the TOPS Program (Training Outstanding Professionals in STEM) in collaboration with the Honors Program, to provide enhanced practical experience for students. Initiated the Innovation Center as an engine for interdisciplinary creativity on campus. Established MOUs with institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, China, and Ecuador for study abroad and research. Established newsletters to disseminate College information to alumni and other stakeholders – Globally Engaged (international activities), Excelsior (faculty scholarship), Protégé (mentored research), IXL (student scholarship), ProServ (for faculty professional service).

2012 – Present

Additional Leadership Roles at Bowie State

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Title III Activity Director for Tutoring Established the Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction Program (TuSIP) to coordinate and enhance tutoring activities campus wide. Supervise TuSIP Coordinator.

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Title III Activity Director for Undergraduate Research Established the Undergraduate Research Program (URP) to promote and coordinate undergraduate research campus wide, facilitate infusion of research into the curriculum, assist students with securing research experience through both on and off-campus internships; host Research Days. Supervise URP Coordinator.

Summer outreach activities 2010-2014 Co-hosted an NSF-funded Annual Biotech Summer Institute for high school teachers, high school students, and college students from both in and out of state; to provide intensive two-week practical experience for participants. Over 100 hundred participants trained.

2007-2008 June, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs; and 1997-2008 Chairperson/Professor, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Langston University, OK. Responsibilities: included oversight of day-to-day operation of the department; Providing leadership for implementing the vision and mission of the department and the university; supervising and evaluating faculty and staff; designing, evaluating, and implementing academic programs that impact student employment success; Disseminating information on training programs to Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private sector representatives; Working with liaison officers of Federal agencies to effectively prepare students for the workforce and for placement in the Federal system; developing MOUs with various Federal agencies including EPA, BLM, BOR, and NRCS; Procuring funds for program expansion and enhancements; Recruiting students; Providing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff; Advising students; Serving on university committees; teaching. Selected Accomplishments Achieved the largest enrollment of agriculture majors in the history of the university. Developed two new BS degree options - Crop and Soil Science and Natural Resources Management. Developed two new Associate Degrees - Pre-Vet and Horticulture. Established three new teaching labs – Computer Aided Learning Center (CALC), Geospatial Information Center, and Biotech Research and Teaching Lab.

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Founder and President of four (4) local chapters of academic honor societies – Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society for Agriculture, Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, Agronomy Society of America (ASA), and the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). Established book scholarship for agriculture majors.

UNIVERSITY SERVICE LEADERSHIP ROLES 2000-2005

2002-2008

2004-2006 2007-2008

2006-2007

Chair of Education Committee. Southern Agbiotech Consortium for Underserved Communities (SACUC). A consortium of 11 Universities in the Southern US for promoting biotech education in high schools. Coordinated educational activities on member campuses; managed budget; developed workshops for teachers; program evaluation. Animal Welfare Committee, Chair Reviewed and approved all research proposals for compliance with federal guidelines for proper use of animals in research. Tenure and Promotions Committee, Chair Led the development of policies; evaluated applicants for promotion and tenure. University Assessment Committee, Chair Assisted with development, implementation of tools for assessing student success and teaching effectiveness of faculty, in compliance with university and State policies. University Accreditation Committee- Criterion Chair Led research, data gathering, analysis, write-up of all matters pertaining to the issue of “Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge” by the University, in accordance with the requirements of the North Central Association accreditation process.

Other University Service: Served on the following University Committees – Academic Affairs, Graduate Education, Service Learning, University Senate, Institutional Research Board, International Affairs, and Grievance. UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE Post-Doctoral 1991-2008 Taught 15 different courses Elements of Crops, Elements of Soil, Field Crop Production, Soil Genesis, Morphology, and Classification, Urban Horticulture, Soil Fertility and Management, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Topical Seminar, Applied Statistics, Urban Pest and Control, Introduction to Agricultural Biotechnology, Internship, Introduction to Technology, Management of TSA, Educational Research and Evaluation (Graduate School). Developed 6 new courses Field Crop Production, Applied Statistics, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Principles of Range and Pasture Management, Principles of Soil Fertility and Management, Introduction to Agricultural Biotechnology. Pre-Doctoral 1979-1983 Lecturer, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Ghana Founding member of the School, sponsored by UNESCO. Served as a Country Representative for UNESCO for the project; developed the plant science component of the program; taught several genetics and plant science courses and conducted research. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE 2008-Present 1997-2008

Dean/Professor: Team is focusing on biotechnology and genomics of banana and Garcinia. Work includes application of molecular markers for surveying diversity, tissue culture, and genetic sequencing. Professor/Chair: Team worked on tissue culture of cassava and wheatgrass.

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1989-1991

Visiting Research Associate, Bean/Cowpea Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP), Mexico/Malawi Projects, Michigan State. Researched molecular techniques for breeding of beans. 1987-1989 Research Associate/Post-Doctoral Fellow, USDA Sugar Beet Genetics Program/Soybean Breeding Program, Michigan State University. Developed a herbicide-tolerant mutant now used in commercial production. 1982-1983 Principal investigator, No. 2939/RB International Atomic Energy Agency/FAO. Conducted investigations in mutation breeding of selected tropical species; developed an erect mutant of winged bean. 1981 summer Visiting Scientist, International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India: Visited Peanut Breeding Program to study the methods of breeding in the species. 1978 summer Research Associate, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria: Conducted research to develop adapted cultivars of soybeans for the tropics. 1980 summer UNESCO-sponsored professional enrichment tour of research programs - England, France, India, Malawi, and Holland GRANTS RECEIVED (Selected) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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Education Innovation Initiatives - Ecosystem for Student Success at BSU. (Co-PI). 2015. $999, 983. (NSF) Targeted infusion project: Bowie State University Applied Biotechnology Initiative.(Co-PI) 2014. $399,729. (NSF) Targeted infusion of technology into the chemistry program (PI). 2010. $267,000.(NSF) Instructional technology for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. (PI) 2007. $207,000 (Noble Foundation). A Summer Bridge Program for the Retention of Underrepresented Minorities in Agricultural Programs (PI). 2006-2009. $190,100. To provide a head start on college curriculum for incoming freshmen (USDA). Southern AgBiotech Consortium for Underserved Communities. 2000-2005 Included 11 HBCUs ($ 3.5 million). Served as Chair of Educational Committee (one of four components of the consortium). Devoted to training high school science teachers to implement biotech in the classroom; provided science equipment to teachers. (USDA-CREES). Enhancing Biotechnology Education Program. 1999. PI/Director. ($114,000). To promote student research experience through biotech research; built a new biotech research lab (USDA). Enhancing Agricultural and Food Programs Through Geospatial Information Technology. PI/Director. 1999. ($270,000). To establish a state-of-the-art GIS/GPS lab for student training and faculty use (USDA). Rural Small Business Development Grant. 1997 ($150,000) -Author. To provide computer access to selected rural communities in Oklahoma. (USDA). Computer-Aided Learning Center. PI/Director. 1993 ($160,000). To establish computer lab for teaching and student autotutorial in the department (USDA). Minorities Graduate School Head Start Program. PI. 1993. ($146,000). Aptitude test preps; intro to research; placement of students in grad programs (USDA). Federal Food Stamp Program. 1998. Co-Author of initial proposal. To establish a food stamp program at Langston University ($900,000 initial award) (USDA). Grassland Center of Excellence. 1997. Co-Author of original grant to establish center ($300,000 initial award) (USDA).

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (selected) Ude, G.N., Acquaah, G., Irish, B.M., and Das, A. (2014). Targeted parallel sequencing of the Musa species: searching for an alternative model system for polyploidy studies. African J. of Biotechnology 13: 4052-4060.

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Wu, N., Matand, K., Wu, H., Li, B., Li, Y., Zhang, X., He, Z., Qian, J., Liu, X., Conley, S., Bailey, M., and Acquaah, G. (2013). De novo next-generation sequencing, assembling and annotation of Arachis hypogaea L., Spanish botanical type whole plant transcriptome. Theor Appl Genet 126: 1145-1149. Matand, K., Wu, N., Conley, S., and Acquaah, G. (2013). A more improved protocol for in vitro shoot organogenesis in daylily (Hemerocallis, sp.). African J. of Biotechnology, 12(8): 820-825. Wu, N., Matand, K., Kebede, B., Acquaah, G. Williams, S. 2010. Enhnacing DNA electrotransformation efficiencey in Escherichia coli DH10B electrocompetent cells. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, 13 (5). Matand, K. Acquaah, G., Kindiger, B. and Burns, M. 2005. Organogenesis in tall wheatgrass. Plant Growth Regulator Society of America (PGRSA), Vol. 33 (2):76-82. Matand, K., Acquaah, G. and Burns, M. 2005. A procedure for one-step in vitro induction of callus and shoots in cassava. Plant Growth Regulator Society of America (PGRSA), Vol. 32 (4):124-131. Acquaah, G, T.G. Islieb, and A.E. Ferguson. 1994. Gene pool specificity, paucity of enzyme variation, and phaseolin polymorphism in the common bean. HortScience 29(11):1337-1339. Acquaah, G., M.W. Adams, and J.D. Kelly. 1992. Factor analysis of plant variables associated with architecture and seed size in dry bean. HortScience, 60:171-177. Saunders, J.W., G. Acquaah, K.A. Renner, and W.P. Doley. 1992. Monogenic dominant sulfonylurea resistance in sugarbeet from somatic selection. Crop Science, 32:1357-1360. Acquaah, G., J.W. Saunders, and L.C. Ewart. 1992. Homeotic floral mutations. Plant Breeding Reviews, Volume 9, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. BOOKS PUBLISHED Acquaah, G. (2012). Principles of plant genetics and breeding (2nd ed.) . Wiley/Blackwell, Oxford, UK.(Translated into Farsi; Voted by the Society of Biology, London, UK among top four books in biology, graduate division, in the world for 2013). Acquaah, G. (2008). Horticulture: Principles and practices (4th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Acquaah G. (2005). Principles of crop production: Theory, technology and techniques (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Acquaah, G. (2003). Understanding biotechnology: An integrated and cyber-based approach. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. (Translated into Chinese). Acquaah, G. (1992). Practical protein electrophoresis for genetic research. Portland, Oregon: Dioscorides Press. (Two books are out of print; several other non-academic books are in print) Book chapters/sections Acquaah, G. (2016). Crop Improvement: Plant Breeding, Principles. In Encyclopedia of Applied Sciences, 2ed. Elsevier Publishing, United Kingdom. Acquaah, G. (2015). Conventional plant breeding principles and techniques. In Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Breeding, Biotechnology and Molecular Tools. J.M. Al-Khayi et al. (eds). Springer Publishing. New York. Ude, G.N., Irish, B.M., and Acquaah, G. 2012. Molecular marker survey of genetic diversity in the genus Garcinia. In: Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding. 2ed. Oxford. Wiley/Blackwell Publishing. Acquaah, G., Ude, and Tonukari, S. (2006). Impact, importance and shortcomings of biotechnology in developing countries. In J.A.T. da Silva (Ed.), Floriculture, ornamental and plant biotechnology: Advances and topical issues (1st ed.). UK: Global Science Books. Acquaah, G. (2006). Norman Ernest Borlaug: The man and his passion. In Principles of plant genetics and breeding. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. Matand, K., and Acquaah, G. (2006). Application of tissue culture for tall wheatgrass improvement. In Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. PRESENTATIONS

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Many local, national and international scholarly presentations. Invited Papers/Presentations Acquaah, G. 2013. Biotechnology, Climate Change and Poverty Reduction. 2nd Biennial Conference on Biotechnology and National Development. Enugu, Nigeria. (Keynote speaker). Acquaah, G., C. Williams, and M. Burns. 2005. Diversity in the American Farming Community and opportunities for the Farm Credit System. (Farm Credit Services). Acquaah, G. 2002. The role of biotechnology for improving the agriculture of developing countries. Annual Meeting of the International Food Technologists, Anaheim, CA. EXTENSION EXPERIENCE 1991-1997 2002-2008

Assistant Professor and Project Management Specialist, USDA Farmers Home Administration Advised farmers on production matters related to crop production. Extension Horticulturalist Provided expert advice to community via workshops and informational packets I developed.

HONORS/AWARDS 2007 2007 2006 2006 2006 2003 2003 2003 2002 1983-1987 1985

USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award – National Winner. Certificate of Excellence- 2007 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching and Administration Finalist, By Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Speaker, First Distinguished Presidential Lecture Series, Langston University. Da Vinci Fellow, Recognizing creativity leading to extraordinary scholarship; given by the Da Vinci Institute of Oklahoma. NAFEO NOBLE Award, For most outstanding HBCU professional; first recipient. Millennium Award for Excellence in Teaching at an HBCU. Given by the White House Initiative on HBCUs. Distinguished Professor Award, Langston University. Excellence in Research/Publication Award, Langston University. USDA Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award– Southern Region Winner: First winner among the HBCUs. Fulbright Scholar, Michigan State University. Thoman Fellow, Michigan State University, USA.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES American Association for the Advancement of Society (AAAS), Member. African Scientific Institute (ASI), Fellow. International Society of African Biotechnologists and Bioscientists (ISABB) – Editor in Chief of ISABB Journals. SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION (Selected) -

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External Reviewer for faculty tenure and promotion for University of Ghana, Legon, – 2013, 2014. Council of College of Arts and Sciences, Diversity Committee, Member 2013, 2014. Reviewer: Transforming Agricultural Education for a Changing World. Committee on a Leadership to Effect Change in Teaching and Learning. National Research Council of the National Academies. National Academies Press (2009). Campus Liaison: Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Professional Science Masters.

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FAO World Food Day – National Planning Committee – 2009-2010.

SERVICE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY (selected) 2006-2008 Da Vinci Institute Board of Directors, Oklahoma Creativity Think Tank for Higher Education, Member. 2002-2007 High School Biotech Education Program – Devoted to enhancing the teaching skills of high school STEM teachers in Oklahoma. 2001-2006 University Representative on City of Langston Community Development Organization. 2000- 2005 Senior to Senior Project – In partnership with Department of Gerontology designed and implemented a Horticultural Therapy program for senior citizens. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (selected) 2015 2014 2005 2004

AASCU Millennium Leadership Institute, June 6-9, Washington DC. Hampton University Executive Leadership Summit, November 5-7, Hampton, VA. Recombinant DNA. May 30-June 5, 2005. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, Inc., National Institute of Health Developing bioinformatics programs. July 12-23, 2004. Pittsburg Supercomputing Center, Carnegie Mellon University.

ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE INTERESTS -

Holistic faculty development Global engagement Minorities in higher education Partnership with industry for advancing higher education Fundraising in higher education Training thought leaders Preparing students for life The arts and sciences together for global change Improving student learning Improving graduation rates of students Research across the curriculum

References available upon request

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