Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture & Applied Sciences
About
As the Dean for the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (SL/SAAS), I am honored to lead Langston University’s Land-Grant programs. Leadership is a privilege, and I cherish the support of all our stakeholders, including students, alums, community partners, parents, and friends. I wish you a warm welcome to Langston University. We are one of the nineteen 1890 Land-Grant universities across the United States. We aim to improve lives and discover realistic solutions for addressing many communities’ pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.
At Langston University, we firmly believe in our commitment to providing students with the most enriching academic exposure. This experience fully prepares them to be the leaders and professionals of tomorrow. Our faculty, staff, alums, and other partners have given their full range of energy, creativity, and commitment to attain excellence in our programming and pedagogy. The academic programs in SL/SAAS are creatively designed to satisfy the needs of a rapidly evolving national and global Food, Agriculture, Natural and Human (FANH) sciences landscape. We take extraordinary pride in our teaching quality, student mentorship/advising, and finding experiential and professional opportunities for our students and graduates.
The research and extension programs in SL/SAAS are innovative and highly interconnected to support discoveries, improve people’s quality of life, and enhance the sustainability of communities. We are the home of the world-renowned E. (Kika) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR). The AIGR houses state-of-the-art teaching, research, and cooperative extension programming facilities. It seeks to provide innovative research and outreach activities to enhance the management capacity of goat and sheep production systems and improve the socioeconomic conditions of producers, consumers, and communities worldwide. Our research and cooperative extension portfolio are constantly expanding to support the broad strategic objectives of the United States Department of Agriculture. All SL/SAAS team members have pledged to help produce and support the next generation of FANH professionals and leaders. We improve lives and promote change through discovery, development, and delivery of knowledge and experience!
Please explore our website to learn about our programs and our grand history. We look forward to hearing from you.
Best Wishes,
Wesley L. Whittaker, Ph.D.
Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs,
Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Langston University
Langston University was officially established as a Land Grant institution in 1897 through the Morrill Act of 1890. Agriculture was a founding tenet of the University and remains so today through the work of the Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (SL/SAAS). In April 2023, the School was named after one of its prominent Alumni, Mr. Sherman Lewis, hence, now bears his name. True to the Land Grant mission, the SL SAAS supports the full array of academics, research, and extension/outreach programs. The three mission areas are interrelated and contribute to each other’s mission. These connections, coupled with stakeholder input and feedback, ensure that the school remains abreast of current developments and is responsive to the needs of its clientele.
The E (Kiki) de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research was established in 1984 as the American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR). It has grown into one of the preeminent small ruminant research centers and has attracted research scientists, agricultural specialists, and other visitors from all around the world. Since the early years, SL/SAAS continues to grow steadily, adapt to new challenges, and is always seeking to support the needs of stakeholders.
The Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences’ mission is to prepare students to make a difference in a rapidly changing world. The SL/SAAS engages in research, teaching, and community engagement activities that address food, agriculture, human, and community development issues that ultimately impact the lives of people in Oklahoma and beyond.
To embody the Land Grant mission of Langston University through excellence in academics, innovative research, and supportive, forward-looking extension and outreach activities that will have a positive impact on the quality of lives of clientele in Oklahoma, the nation and the world.
Learn more in our strategic plan.
- Work with passion for the students we educate, for the stakeholders we serve, for the work we do, and for the places within which we work and study.
- Strive for excellence in our academic, research and community engagement activities.
- Be fully engaged with our stakeholders and do so with purpose and impact.
- Be bold decision-makers and be creative in expanding opportunities and solving problems.
- Encourage teamwork, nurture personal growth and help develop the next generation of leaders.
- Foster diverse learning and working environment that is multicultural, caring, respectful and supports the creative potential of students, faculty and staff.
Learn more in the SL/SAAS strategic plan.
