Academic Department Head/Agricultural & Extension Education

New Mexico State University•Las Cruces, NM

6d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking candidates with an understanding of and appreciation for undergraduate/graduate education, research, and outreach, with a strong commitment to the Land Grant mission. The Department Head serves as the chief academic and administrative officer and principal advocate for the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the Department Head provides strategic leadership for the department’s teaching, research, Extension, outreach, and service missions while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students.

Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Communications, or a closely related field
A demonstrable record of academic achievement and professional experience consistent with the university rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor eligible for promotion to Professor within the department
Evidence of leadership, team-building skills, strong interpersonal and communication skills, administrative experience, and a strong record of academic teaching and advising proficiency
Interest or experience in actively recruiting and mentoring students and/or faculty from diverse cultures and promoting an academic program to the community, university, industry, granting agencies, government, and other stakeholders
Knowledge of land-grant university missions, academic programs, student success, personnel management, budgeting, promotion and tenure, grants and contracts, and research compliance
Familiarity with agricultural and Extension education and/or related disciplines
Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and commitment to student success
Strong leadership, communication, planning, problem-solving, conflict-management, personnel-supervision, and resource-management skills
Ability to build trust, establish priorities, manage competing responsibilities, use data to guide decisions, apply policies consistently, develop partnerships, advocate for the department and its faculty while leading organizational improvement

Responsibilities

Faculty recruitment and development
Faculty annual evaluation
Program development
Program review
Curriculum development
Student recruitment and retention
Departmental fiscal management
Secure external funding, fundraising, or partnership development
Advance departmental, college, and university priorities
Lead strategic planning and organizational improvement
Communicate departmental needs and accomplishments
Resolve concerns
Use data to guide decisions and allocate resources
Oversee departmental facilities, equipment, technology, and operations
Provide strategic leadership for undergraduate and graduate programs, ensuring quality, relevance, and continuous improvement of curricula, instruction, assessment, and experiential learning opportunities
Oversee faculty and staff workload assignments
Promote the effective allocation of departmental resources
Teach at least one upper-division or graduate course each academic semester
Lead proactive, data-informed efforts to recruit a diverse and academically prepared student body
Strengthen student engagement, belonging, and persistence
Improve retention, degree progression, and graduation rates
Support effective advising, mentoring, career preparation, and timely intervention for students experiencing academic or personal challenges
Recruit, supervise, support, and evaluate faculty and staff in accordance with university policies
Conduct annual evaluations
Mentor faculty through promotion and tenure
Support professional development
Address performance or workplace concerns
Administer personnel actions fairly and consistently
Develop and manage departmental budgets, personnel resources, accounts, grants, contracts, and revenue-generating activities in coordination with college personnel
Ensure that purchasing, contracting, equipment management, and other financial commitments comply with university policies and standards of ethical stewardship
Champion faculty research agendas
Support the development, funding, implementation, and dissemination of high-quality research
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration within the department and across the college, university, and external partners
Provide oversight for grants, contracts, research compliance, and related responsibilities
Support initiatives of the Center of Excellence in Food and Sustainable Agriculture
Develop partnerships responsive to New Mexico’s schools, communities, agricultural industries, and Extension clientele
Serve as an ambassador for the department by building relationships with alumni, donors, schools, government agencies, industry, professional associations, and community organizations
Support fundraising, student recruitment, program visibility, and responsible communications consistent with university requirements
Remain knowledgeable about university policies, academic administration, fiscal and personnel management, research administration, and regulatory requirements
Pursue relevant training and consult university professionals as needed to lead the department effectively
Foster collaborations and participate in activities and on research teams that support the work of the Center for Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS)