Cornell Provost Biddy Martin has announced the reappointment of Alison "Sunny" Power as dean of the Graduate School for a three-year term. The appointment, which was approved by the Cornell Board of Trustees at its September meeting, is effective July 1, 2007. Power has been dean since 2002.

"I am very pleased that Sunny will continue to serve as dean for the Graduate School," said Martin. "She is a strong advocate for our graduate students and is dedicated to high-quality training and research programs. She is committed to making significant improvements to the quality of graduate education on campus, and I look forward to our ongoing work."

Power established the Office of Postdoctoral Studies in the Graduate School and has developed innovative strategies to increase degree completion among doctoral students. In addition, she has worked to maintain competitive graduate student funding packages and to address the needs of graduate student parents. She initiated child-care grants for students and developed a family leave accommodation policy for graduate students.

Power, a professor in the Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and of Science and Technology Studies, joined the Cornell faculty in 1985 and became associate dean of the Graduate School in 1999. Her research focuses on the ecology and evolution of plant pathogens, invasive plants, agroecology, and interactions between agricultural and natural ecosystems.