John Hammel joined UI in November 1982 after serving on the faculty at the University of Georgia at Athens. He is a professor of soil physics and has served as associate dean and director of academic programs since April 1998. As associate dean, Hammel was instrumental in initiating and coordinating a college name change to its current name, which is more inclusive of its diverse teaching, research and extension/outreach activities in the agricultural, family and life sciences.

Under his leadership as associate dean of academic programs, student enrollment in CALS has increased to its highest level in college history. Hammel has authored numerous scholarly journal articles and has served the past three years as chair of the Academic Programs Section Impact Statement Committee of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. He holds a masters degree and Ph.D. from Washington State University and a bachelors degree from Oregon State University.