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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Debbie Colbert, the deputy director for administration at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, has been named secretary of the Oregon State University Board of Trustees. Her appointment will become effective Jan. 26.

She succeeds board secretary Meg Reeves, OSU's general counsel, who is retiring.

In her new role, Colbert will support the board in its strategic planning and management activities; provide advice and counsel on board issues to OSU President Edward J. Ray and his senior administrative leaders; and serve as a liaison between the board and the university.

The 14-member OSU Board of Trustees was established in 2013 following the passage of Senate Bill 270. The board establishes policies for all aspects of the university's operations, sets tuition and fees, guides academic programming, approves the university's budget for submission to the state, and appoints and reviews the OSU president.

Colbert, who has a Ph.D. in interactive oceanography from Oregon State, began her career as a water policy analyst and then senior policy coordinator in the Water Resources Department before becoming administrator of the agency's Field Services Division.

She joined the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2010, overseeing the department's divisions of budget, marketing, media relations, education, grant management, contracting, human resources and financing.