School of Agriculture Dean's Office

Dr. Alma C. Hobbs

Dean/Administrator

Virginia State University

Dr. Alma C. Hobbs is the Dean/Administrator for the School of Agriculture at Virginia State University. The School of Agriculture includes teaching, research, and extension as it relates to enhancing programs in Food and Agricultural Sciences. She is responsible for four units: Agriculture and Human Ecology, Agricultural Research, Cooperative Extension and Randolph Farm.

Prior to accepting the position at Virginia State University she was a member of the Senior Executive Service at the United States Department of Agriculture where she served as the Special Assistant for Diversity and Outreach for the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. In this role she provided leadership and oversight for the Offices of Outreach and Diversity. The Office provides coordination for the Outreach, USDA 1890 Program, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Native American Tribal Colleges, and the Asian American Pacific Islander Colleges and Universities.

Before joining the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Dr. Hobbs served as the Deputy Administrator for Economic and Community Systems (ECS), with the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). In this position she provided national leadership and support for research, education, and extension programs to increase the prosperity, security, and sustainability of America’s families, farms and ranches, business firms, and communities. She also provided leadership for Rural and Community Prosperity, including Diversity and Pluralism, Risk Management, Sustainable Agriculture, Family Financial Security, Small Farms, Agricultural Marketing, Entrepreneurship, E-Commerce, Urban Extension, and other related programs and activities. She applied social sciences to the issues and problems of families and consumers, farms and ranches, agricultural and other businesses, and rural communities.

Dr. Hobbs served on several national committees and task forces. The Secretary appointed Dr. Hobbs to chair the USDA National Performance Review Team. She chaired the Secretary’s Food Drive; chaired one of the Civil Rights Implementation Teams, and co-chaired the Secretary’s Women Employees Advisory Council.

Dr. Hobbs received her Doctorate and Master’s degrees from North Carolina State University, and a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University. She also attended the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and USDA Executive Development Seminars at the Brookings Institute.

Her career with USDA began over 29 years ago. She has held various positions at the federal, state, and county levels and made a difference in the lives of many through dedicated and committed service as a Special Assistant for Diversity and Outreach, Deputy Administrator, Families, 4-H and Nutrition, Acting Associate Administrator, Deputy Administrator, 4-H Youth Development, Assistant Deputy, 4-H Youth Development, USDA. On the state level, Extension Administrator, Clothing Specialist, Director of the Urban Families Program, Tennessee State University (TSU), and Associate Professor, TSU. On the county level, Assistant Home Economics Agent, Windsor, North Carolina, Home Economics and 4-H Agent, Nashville, Tennessee.

She has served on many system committees including Extension Diversity; ECOP Strategic Planning Council and Program Leadership Committee; the National Futures Task Force; the President’s Crime Prevention Council; the USDA 1890 Task Force; Vice Chair of CSREES reorganization team and many other inter-agency task forces as an administrative liaison to five national initiatives.

Dr. Hobbs has received numerous awards for professional achievement and contributions. She recently received recognition from the Secretary for her work on the USDA Diversity Council Women’s Program, and for her contribution to the Centennial Celebration of 4-H. Other recognition includes being honored at the Museum of Science and Industry as one of twenty African-American Achievers in Agriculture, USDA Honor Award, National 4-H Achievement Award, Distinguished Service Award/NAE4-HA and Outstanding Contributions to the Home Economics Profession.

Her professional affiliations include National Epsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, National Association of Family and Consumer Science, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., National Links Organization, Inc, and the Senior Executive Service. She credits her success to being proactive, committed to human development, demonstrating equity, fairness and putting people first. Dr. Hobbs has a son, Steven Hobbs, a daughter-in-law, Mallery, and two granddaughters, Brittany, and Christian.

National 4-H Strategic Plan, Creating a New Team USDA: Through Empowerment and Excellence;

1890 Land-Grant University’s Strategic Plan, Setting the Pace in a Time of Change;