Dr. Wanda Williams Collins, a professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, has been elected first woman president of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). This international organization has more than 4,500 members, including research scientists, educators and other professional horticulturists from the United States and more than 100 other countries.
Collins holds a master's of science degree and a doctorate in plant pathology and genetics from N.C. State University. She also earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from N.C. State.
In 1976, she joined the N.C. State faculty as an assistant professor with responsibility for sweetpotato breeding and genetics. In 1987, breeding white potatoes was added to her program.
Collins was promoted to associate professor in 1980, and full professor in 1986. She has also trained 25 master's and doctoral degree students in plant breeding and genetics.
Collins has published more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles on genetics and plant breeding as well as several book chapters and numerous articles in extension and popular publications.
Her contributions to research in sweetpotato and potato breeding and other areas are nationally and internationally known.
Collins is a native of Windsor, N.C.