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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Cristina Eisenberg, an Oregon State University alumna with a background in restoration ecology, wildlife biology and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, has been named the OSU College of Forestry’s first associate dean for inclusive excellence and director of tribal initiatives.

Eisenberg’s role will include serving as director of the college’s new Office for Tribal Initiatives, acting as the primary liaison with Native American Tribes throughout the Northwest, overseeing the execution of the college’s strategic plan for diversity, equity and inclusion, and working to improve the recruitment and retention of underserved student populations.

“I am excited about working together to take the College of Forestry and OSU beyond the land acknowledgement and help build stronger relationships with Tribal nations,” said Eisenberg, who will start in her new role next month.

Her priorities include partnering with Tribal nations in ways that support sovereignty rights and combine western science with Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

“We are honored to announce Cristina Eisenberg’s hiring,” said Tom DeLuca, Cheryl Ramberg-Ford and Allyn C. Ford Dean of the College of Forestry. “After a nationwide search, we identified Dr. Eisenberg as an excellent match for our needs and hopes for this new position.”

Eisenberg, a first-generation Latinx and Native American (Apache and Rarámuri) scholar, holds a Ph.D. from the College of Forestry, a master’s degree from Prescott (Arizona) College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California-Long Beach.

She previously served as the chief scientist at Harvard University’s Earthwatch Institute and is currently director at large on the board of the Society for Ecological Restoration, where she serves as director of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Working Group.