Ethan Orr became dean of Cal Poly Pomona’s Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture in 2025, bringing extensive experience in agricultural technology, public service, natural-resource policy, and partnerships between the public and private sectors. His work has included collaborating with cattle growers and other agricultural producers on range management, natural-resource stewardship, and policies supporting productive and sustainable animal agriculture.

Before joining Cal Poly Pomona, Orr held several leadership positions at the University of Arizona. He served as assistant vice president for government and public policy, executive director of the Natural Resource Users Law and Policy Center, associate director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Arizona Cooperative Extension, and associate professor of agricultural technology.

As a faculty member, Orr was principal investigator on more than $84 million in grants. His projects included establishing an agricultural apprenticeship program that partnered with more than 100 farms to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders and creating a $64 million statewide irrigation-efficiency program. He also helped develop agricultural literacy partnerships reaching more than 100,000 K–12 students annually.

During more than two decades of teaching in the University of Arizona’s School of Government, Orr secured millions of dollars to support the university’s biomedical campus and the establishment of its College of Veterinary Medicine. He also served in the Arizona State Legislature and has extensive professional experience in nonprofit organizations, municipal government, and the private sector.