Following a national search, Charles Towe has been appointed head of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) in the University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR).
Towe, who has served as interim head since January 2026, will now lead the department on a permanent basis. He is the Delfavero Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics and an internationally recognized environmental economist whose work examines land use, environmental policy, and the economic value of natural resources.
“Dr. Towe has demonstrated thoughtful, collaborative leadership during his time as interim head,” says Interim Dean Kumar Venkitanarayanan. “Through a highly competitive national search, he emerged as the clear choice to lead the department forward. His vision, scholarship, and commitment to our land-grant mission position ARE for continued success.”
Towe joined UConn in 2014 and has built a distinguished record in research, teaching, and service. His scholarship focuses on environmental and resource economics, including issues such as water quality, coastal resource management, and the intersection of environmental policy and economic outcomes. His work contributes to understanding how policy and market forces shape environmental decision-making and community well-being.
As a faculty member, Towe has taught courses in environmental policy, applied econometrics, and computational methods, and is known for his commitment to student success and experiential learning.
During his time as interim head, Towe provided steady leadership and continuity following a period of transition in the department. In his new role, he will continue to guide ARE’s research, teaching, and Extension efforts, strengthening its impact across Connecticut and beyond.
“I am honored to continue serving the department in this role,” Towe says. “ARE has an exceptional community of faculty, staff, and students, and I look forward to building on our strengths while expanding our contributions to research, education, and outreach.”
Towe earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. He also holds degrees in economics from Tufts University and the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
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