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Matt Holt, Dean
Matthew T. “Matt” Holt became the dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences at Clemson University in September 2024.
The College, through its instructional, discovery, public service, and Extension missions, seeks to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond by strengthening agricultural productivity and profitability, promoting sustainable natural resource management and use, and supporting the health and vitality of our communities.
Before joining Clemson University, Dr. Holt served seven years (2017-2024) as the head of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech, where, among other things, he led the effort to create a unique online M.S. program focusing on applied economic analytics. He has held faculty positions at the University of Alabama, Purdue University, NC State University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Wisconsin.
In his research, he has developed and used econometric tools to understand better market relationships for food, energy, agricultural, and natural resource commodities and goods. His research contributions have been repeatedly recognized by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, of which he was named a Fellow in 2009. In 2024, he was named a Distinguished Agricultural Alumni by Purdue University.
In addition to his research and departmental leadership, in 2022, Dr. Holt was asked to co-chair the Virginia Tech Advantage initiative, a multi-year effort by Virginia Tech to make college more affordable for underserved students. As a first-generation student who received Pell Grant aid, he is passionate about ensuring our land-grant mission is extended to all eligible students and their families regardless of means.
Dr. Holt grew up on a row crop and livestock farm in Northcentral Indiana. He and his brother continue to own and manage the original 210-acre farmstead.
Dr. Holt earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural economics. He holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He has also completed a certificate in change management offered by Cornell University.
