Press Release
PRICE, UTAH — Utah State University Eastern has hired Dr. Jaime Cano to serve as Associate Vice Chancellor of Professional and Technical Education. Dr. Cano replaces Dr. Gary Straquadine, who held the position until recently moving to the role of Vice Chancellor for Academic Advancement at USU Eastern and Vice Provost for USU.
Dr. Cano comes to USU Eastern after teaching at Ohio State University for 29 years in OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. While at OSU, Dr. Cano taught agricultural education, dealing with future high school and county extension educators, and also worked with graduate students on various research projects. He also spent 14 years teaching statistics at both an undergraduate and graduate student level.
Agriculture education was an easy choice for Dr. Cano, who grew up on a farm in New Mexico, sparking a lifelong passion for horticulture and agriculture. Beginning his undergraduate studies at New Mexico State University, he enrolled in an agricultural education course, which set him on a path to pursue his bachelor’s and master’s degree in agricultural education from NMSU. After teaching for several years in New Mexico, Dr. Cano moved to Ohio to pursue a PhD from OSU, where he was offered a teaching position upon completing his doctorate degree.
“Dr. Cano is an exciting addition to the faculty and administration here in Price, and is going to be a great advocate and leader for our campus. And not just for the programs he will be working directly with, but for all of our academic endeavors,” commented Dr. Joe Peterson, Chancellor for USU Eastern.
“I’ve been very lucky to work in a field that I enjoy, and with some great people at excellent schools. I’ve known Dr. Straquadine for many years, and am very excited for the opportunity to work with him again, and to be involved with some exciting programs at USU Eastern,” said Dr. Cano on his new role. “We want to increase the visibility of the academic and training programs offered here, there are a lot of great options here in Price.”
USU Eastern’s Professional and Technical Education programs are one of the cornerstones of the Price campuses offerings, allowing students to gain a university education and degree while learning valuable work and trade skills like welding, automotive technology, health professions, and more. Students attend these programs from all over the state, and even from across the country, to take advantage of the combination of career and technical education and a university degree.
“Coming to Price feels like I’m back home in the west, where I grew up and started my career and education. I’m very happy to be here,” concluded Dr. Cano.