Tuba Özkan-Haller, an Oregon State University professor, noted international oceanography researcher, and leader of university research initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion actions, has been named dean of the university’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
Özkan-Haller has served as acting or interim dean of the college since August 2021. Her appointment as dean is effective March 13.
“I am thrilled to be selected to serve as dean of OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences,” said Özkan-Haller. “CEOAS is a powerhouse in research, education and engagement. We deliver educational programs that feature a high level of experiential learning opportunities, lead the global earth and ocean science community with cutting-edge research resulting in impactful discoveries, and engage with stakeholder communities to bring science to local decision-making.
“It is a dream come true to be named dean of this phenomenal college, and I very much look forward to continuing the work of enabling learning, discovery, engagement, and further increasing the college’s impact globally, nationally, and importantly in Oregon.”
The College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, a leader in the study of the Earth as an integrated system, has more than 100 faculty, 150 graduate students and 1,000 undergraduate students. Its oceanography program has been named the third best in the world. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the college brought in more than $85 million in research awards.
As interim dean, Özkan-Haller has collaborated with OSU leaders in planning for the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex, which will be a home for interdisciplinary research in climate and marine science, artificial intelligence and computation, materials science and health science.
“Dr. Özkan-Haller is extraordinarily well qualified to advance the contributions of the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at this critical time within Oregon and globally,” said Ed Feser, OSU’s provost and executive vice president. “Her continuing contributions as a teacher, researcher, community partner and university leader will help guide efforts to address critical issues taking place in the world’s oceans, climate and landscapes.
“Dr. Özkan-Haller also brings to her role as dean a profound commitment to advancing equity and will work to increase the enrollment and success of women and people of color in STEM education fields and career opportunities.”
Özkan-Haller previously served as associate vice president for research administration and development in the Oregon State’s Research Office. In that role, she worked to build the university’s research development capacity and provide strategies to serve faculty needs and OSU’s growing research enterprise.
Prior to her Research Office appointment, she served as associate dean for research and faculty advancement in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, where she led college-level research development and faculty advancement activities.
Özkan-Haller has extensively engaged in work to increase diversity and inclusivity in academia and was a co-principal Investigator for OSU’s ADVANCE grant from the National Science Foundation that aimed to increase the participation of women and other under-represented groups within faculty in STEM disciplines.
Nationally, she serves as a member on two federal advisory committees: the Hydrographic Survey Review Panel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the board on Coastal Engineering Research of the Army Corps of Engineers.
She is a nearshore oceanographer and coastal engineer who has been a professor at Oregon State since 2001.
Özkan-Haller holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, Turkey, and master’s and doctorate degrees in civil engineering from the University of Delaware.
Özkan-Haller’s appointment as acting dean, and later interim dean, followed Roberta Marinelli’s appointment as director of the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs and subsequent decision to return to her tenured position in CEOAS. Marinelli served as dean beginning in 2016.
