BROOKINGS – Vikram Mistry has been named the associate dean and director of academic programs for South Dakota State University’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Mistry has been serving in this role on an interim basis since 2020, having previously led the SDSU department of dairy and food science.
“I am honored to be associate dean and director of academic programs for CAFES,” Mistry said. “Our college has a strong history of excellent contemporary academic programs that help students prepare a solid foundation for their professional careers.”
Throughout his career at SDSU, Mistry has managed the department of dairy and food science where he led the effort of raising $9.5 million for the construction of the Davis Dairy Plant and the renovation of the Alfred Dairy Science Hall.
“I am very excited to have Dr. Vikram Mistry serving as the associate dean of academic programs in CAFES,” said Joseph Cassady, South Dakota Corn endowed dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. “Dr. Mistry brings over 20 years of administrative experience to this critical role on the CAFES executive team.”
Prior to his career at SDSU, Mistry earned his bachelor’s degree in dairy technology from Gujarat Agricultural University in Anand, India, in 1979. He then earned both his master’s degree in food science in 1982, and Ph.D. in food science in 1986 from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
In 16 years, he has increased dairy and food science scholarships by approximately 175%. Mistry has also worked with key state and industry leaders to facilitate the growth of the dairy industry in South Dakota.
“No one in CAFES has a stronger track record than Dr. Mistry in raising scholarship funds to support SDSU students,” Cassady said.
Mistry’s professional honors and awards include the Gamma Sigma Delta Research Award, Sigma Xi Research award, SDSU F.O. Butler Research Award, International Dairy Foods Association Research Award of the American Dairy Science Association, Kraft Foods Teaching Award of ADSA, Harold Bailey Award for Excellence in Department Leadership and Friend of the Dairy Industry Award. Additionally, he was named the David A. Thompson Endowed department head and professor for the SDSU department of dairy and food science.
Other professional memberships Mistry has been involved in include serving as a member of the American Dairy Science Association, Institute of Food Technologists, North Central Cheese Industries Association, Midwest Dairy Association, International Dairy Journal, French Journal of Dairy Technology and Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center.
“I look forward to working with our outstanding faculty and staff in further strengthening our programs that will help advance the agriculture, food and environmental initiatives of South Dakota and beyond,” Mistry said. “We will continue to promote the excellent opportunities the College offers to prospective students and invite them to make CAFES their choice for building their professional pathways.”
