Stephen F. Austin State University - Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture

Academic Career & Executive Search•Nacogdoches, TX

About The Position

Stephen F. Austin State University Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Stephen F. Austin State University in its search for Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. For full consideration, please apply by May 20, 2026. Well resourced, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is entering a new phase of growth, supported by a nearly completed $85 million facility , and a strong institutional commitment to its continued impact. SFA seeks a Dean to drive this evolution, strengthening culture, advancing high-potential programs, and building a more visible, industry-connected, and research-active college across forestry, agriculture, environmental science, and geospatial disciplines. This opportunity comes at a critical moment. With enrollment growth, new institutional leadership, and major capital investment across campus, including the new Forestry and Agriculture complex and a $40 million entrepreneurship center designed to advance interdisciplinary collaboration, SFA is accelerating its commitment to impact. These investments are part of a broader campus master plan that includes more than $1 billion in facility enhancements over the next 15 years. As the only institution in The University of Texas System with a comprehensive forestry and agriculture portfolio, the College holds a highly visible, strategically important position. In this context, the Dean will be responsible for ensuring these programs drive enrollment, deepen industry engagement, and further distinguish SFA within the UT System. This role offers the chance to accelerate an already solid foundation. Building on a decade of steady leadership, the College is stable and positioned to expand its impact. The next Dean will bring clarity, alignment, and momentum, advancing research, partnerships, and program visibility. The College offers a rare combination of scale, resources, and applied infrastructure. It includes three departments: Forestry, Agriculture, and Environmental Science, supported by extensive land holdings, laboratory space, working agricultural operations, and strong ties to East Texas industries. With major capital investment nearing completion and an experienced leadership team in place, the focus now is to align efforts, sharpen priorities, and execute with discipline. From this foundation, the Dean will inherit significant physical and programmatic assets, including farms, research operations, and established industry relationships, and will be expected to translate these strengths into measurable results: Expanding research activity, strengthening partnerships, modernizing faculty systems, and advancing a more cohesive and forward-looking academic culture. The successful candidate will be an action-oriented academic leader with the judgment and credibility to move quickly while building trust across a long-tenured faculty environment. They will bring experience advancing applied, industry-connected research and developing external partnerships, particularly in sectors aligned with forestry, agriculture, and environmental science. Comfortable operating in a highly visible and expectation-rich environment, the Dean will combine strong interpersonal leadership with an external orientation toward fundraising, partnership development, and institutional advancement. This role is well suited to a leader motivated by building and elevating, rather than maintaining, and by the opportunity to position the College more prominently within both the University and the region. This is a full-time, twelve-month faculty position reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Direct reports include Department Chairs (Forestry; Agriculture; Environmental Sciences) and administrative staff.

Requirements

Knowledge of university policies and procedures, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders
Proven capacity to collaborate across units and develop strategic partnerships with internal and external constituents
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Sound judgment and decision-making ability in complex and high-stakes environments
Ability to set strategic objectives, assess outcomes, and evaluate organizational effectiveness
Experience managing budgets and operating effectively within financial constraints
Ability to support and advance fundraising efforts on behalf of the College and University
Capacity to develop, interpret, and evaluate policies and procedures
Demonstrated effectiveness in supervising, mentoring, and developing staff
A terminal degree in an academic discipline within the College
A strong record of research and other scholarly achievements sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure in a discipline within the College
At least five years of administrative experience in higher education, preferably at the level of academic unit head (e.g., department chair, school director) or above
Proven ability to lead and elevate programmatic excellence across multiple academic programs

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership to advance the College’s academic, research, and outreach mission across Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Geospatial Science
Lead efforts to fully leverage significant institutional investments, including new facilities, laboratories, and land-based assets
Strengthen culture and climate across departments, ensuring alignment, collaboration, and equitable visibility across disciplines
Advance applied, rural-focused research and innovation aligned with regional and industry needs
Build and expand partnerships with key industry stakeholders, including timber, agriculture, and environmental sectors
Support the development of emerging academic areas, including interdisciplinary opportunities with civil engineering and hydrology
Lead strategic enrollment growth, faculty hiring, and program development in alignment with institutional goals
Provide leadership in faculty and staff affairs, including recruitment, evaluation, supervision, and professional development of academic administrators, faculty, and staff
Promote excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and student success across all programs
Oversee academic operations, including curriculum quality, degree planning, and student progression to graduation
Establish, interpret, and implement academic policies and procedures, including matters related to tenure, promotion, and faculty advancement
Partner with Advancement to build a culture of fundraising and external engagement and actively support resource development efforts
Ensure effective stewardship of resources, including budget development, prioritization, and oversight of financial performance
Serve as a key advisor to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs on matters affecting instructional programs and college performance
Strengthen internal communication by keeping academic leaders informed of issues impacting programs, faculty, and students
Support institutional recruitment and retention initiatives and enhance the College’s visibility, reputation, and external impact
Perform other related duties as assigned