Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences / Director, Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station

Buffkin / Baker • Ames, IA

56d • Onsite

About The Position

Iowa State University (ISU) is seeking nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Director of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station. This role requires a proven leader to build upon the College's strengths in various scientific disciplines and promote its mission. The Dean will be responsible for advancing research, teaching, and extension activities, and will have significant discretionary funds and an endowed deanship to support their priorities. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a leading institution with a strong history in agriculture, educating future leaders, conducting mission-oriented research, and sharing knowledge. It is one of eight colleges at Iowa State University, a prominent land-grant institution. CALS offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with strong student outcomes in terms of placement, retention, and graduation rates. The College also manages extensive research farms and plays a vital role in the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension program. The Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, housed within CALS, drives research and discovery, collaborating across disciplines and with global partners. CALS researchers are highly cited, and the College is recognized globally for its agriculture and forestry programs.

Requirements

• An earned doctoral degree.
• A distinguished record that qualifies the candidate for tenure at the rank of full professor in one of the College’s departments.
• A vision for the teaching, research and outreach missions of a premier land-grant university.
• Demonstrated achievement working with individuals and stakeholder groups locally, nationally, and internationally, including commodity groups, to advance organizational priorities and strengthen partnerships.
• Leadership experience in a complex academic, governmental, or business organization.
• A passion for improving agriculture and rural communities in Iowa.
• The ability to build and sustain internal and external collaborations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience in private fund raising and securing philanthropic gifts to support student scholarships, academic programs, facilities, and research.

Responsibilities

• Promote and champion the College to internal and external stakeholders.
• Exhibit a passion for the convergent disciplines that fuel its success.
• Create a clear, strategic vision for advancing its research, teaching, and extension activities.
• Provide forward-looking planning for the education of approximately 3,500 undergraduates and 550 graduate students.
• Manage the College's budget for teaching, research, and extension, which exceeds $106 million.
• Advance the land-grant mission of improving agriculture and communities.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand needs and inform future planning efforts for the ANR Extension program.
• Drive research and discovery through the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.
• Support research within CALS and across other Iowa State colleges and units, as well as with global partners.

Benefits

• Significant amount of unrestricted funds to use at the Dean’s discretion.
• Endowed Deanship, a $4 million endowment of which the proceeds are used solely to support the Dean's priorities for the college.
• $4 million in scholarships are offered to students annually through the college and its departments.
• The college leads the campus in first-year retention rates and has the highest four-year graduation rate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree