UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — László Kulcsár has been appointed senior associate dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, effective July 1.

In this role, Kulcsár will oversee a wide range of responsibilities, including planning, administration, program implementation, daily operations, budgets, safety, University policies and procedures, personnel, promotion and tenure, hiring and retention, facilities and land management, and support for the college’s academic, regional and support units.

Kulcsár previously served as interim senior associate dean of the college before becoming interim dean in September 2023. Troy Ott, who started as dean of the college July 1, expressed gratitude for Kulcsár’s leadership over the past several months and looks forward to working collaboratively to advance the college.

“László’s unwavering dedication to tackling complex problems and improving operational efficiency makes him a highly effective leader,” Ott said. “His stewardship of human and financial resources will continue to be pivotal for college administration, department heads and unit leaders across all operational activities. With his leadership, the College of Agricultural Sciences will be empowered to advance and elevate its mission to address the world’s most pressing challenges in agriculture and natural resource management and in supporting families and communities throughout the commonwealth.”

Kulcsár joined Penn State in 2017 as the head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education. After earning two master’s degrees in Hungary, Kulcsár received his doctorate from Cornell University. He then served as a professor of sociology and head of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at Kansas State University.

“I am excited to continue my service to the college and be a part of what I believe will be a successful journey to advance the land-grant mission,” Kulcsár said. “We have a strong community in the college, and I am confident that we are well positioned to emerge as a national leader in agricultural sciences under Troy’s leadership. I am looking forward to remaining a part of this exceptional community, and I will do my best to support the mission.”

Ott noted that Kulcsár’s significant research contributions have advanced the understanding of demography and developmental sociology.

“László is widely recognized for his work in these fields, and his significant interdisciplinary research experience in environmental and social science has been impactful,” he said.

Kulcsár’s research has examined how environmental change — water shortages, for example — affects uneven development and spatial inequality. He has extensive experience conducting collaborative research with natural scientists.

Kulcsár has been the principal or co-principal investigator on large multidisciplinary grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. He has published widely on rural demographic challenges in the U.S. and Europe and the social impact of environmental change. He also served as editor of the journal Rural Sociology.