Michael Dukes, director of the UF/IFAS Center for Land Use Efficiency (CLUE), is the new Associate Dean for Extension effective immediately. In this newly created position, Dukes will oversee the administration of a variety of programs throughout Extension and contribute leadership to the Extension administration team. He will also maintain his current positions as a faculty member in the Department of Agriculture and Biological Engineering and as director of CLUE.   

 “I’m excited to join this accomplished team of leaders in UF/IFAS Extension,” says Dukes. “I look forward to working with Extension faculty across the state to support their work and communicate their needs as we all work to improve the lives of Florida residents, support industries and protect the state’s natural resources.”   

 Dukes received an undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Delaware before heading to North Carolina State University for his doctorate in biological and agricultural engineering. He joined the University of Florida in 2000 as an assistant professor in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department. Much of his work has focused on efficient irrigation technologies, such as smart irrigation controllers.   

 In 2013, he was named director of the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology and oversaw the transition of the center as the Center for Land Use Efficiency (CLUE). Today, the center focuses on social, environmental, and economic issues affecting urban landscapes and agriculture in Florida. CLUE brings together the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program and the Program for Resource Efficient Communities. Under this model, more than 40 IFAS faculty and associated faculty from different departments work together finding solutions to conserve and protect Florida’s water resources. His experience working with fellow IFAS researchers, Extension faculty, industry partners, stakeholders, and decision-makers makes him uniquely suited for this new administrative position.  

 In January, Dukes was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers Environmental and Water Resources Institute with the 2023 Royce J. Tipton Award for work contributing to improving irrigation efficiency. He joins Karla Shelnutt, Christian Christensen, and Saqib Muktar in Extension Administration under the leadership, of UF/IFAS Dean for Extension Andra Johnson.