UW Taps Koprowski as Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources Dean

The director of the University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment has been appointed as dean of the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming.

John Koprowski, a faculty member in wildlife and fisheries conservation and management at the University of Arizona since 2000, will begin his duties at UW Sept. 30. His appointment was approved today (Wednesday) by the UW Board of Trustees.

“We’re delighted that Dr. Koprowski has agreed to fill this important leadership position at UW,” Interim Provost Anne Alexander says. “He brings a wealth of experience at another of the West’s outstanding land-grant universities to Wyoming, and we’re excited to see him apply that experience at one of UW’s signature academic units.”

At Arizona, Koprowski has taught undergraduate courses in wildlife conservation and management, and graduate courses that deal with environmental and conservation challenges in human-dominated landscapes. His research program has focused on the ecology, conservation and management of biodiversity in the United States, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Nepal, China, Mongolia, South Africa and numerous other international locations.

His efforts in conservation have led to his election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Wildlife Society and the Linnean Society of London.

He holds a Ph.D. in biology (1991) from the University of Kansas; a master’s degree in zoology/wildlife ecology (1985) from Southern Illinois University; and a bachelor’s degree in zoology/wildlife biology (1983) from Ohio State University.

“The Haub School has a long history of approaching the great challenges that face our environment and natural resources as opportunities to make a difference for our lands and our people,” Koprowski says. “As I met the faculty, board, staff and students, I was captured by their true commitment to embrace difficult problems and engage to have impact -- we are like-minded. I am thrilled to be able to lead such a talented and passionate group.”

The Haub School advances the understanding and resolution of complex environmental and natural resource challenges in the West and around the world through its educational, research, outreach and collaborative problem-solving programs.