Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

7d

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications and nominations for the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). CALS is an international leader in discovery, innovation, and education across the biological, physical, and social sciences and humanities. Its integrated research, teaching, extension, and outreach missions translate knowledge into lasting benefits for Wisconsin and the world. The college offers a broad range of academic programs, has nearly 4,000 undergraduate students and strong graduate programs, and brings together departments spanning molecular biosciences, environmental sciences, agriculture, soil and plant sciences, food and nutritional sciences, communication, sociology, and economics.

The Dean is CALS’s chief academic and executive officer, leading more than 250 faculty and more than 800 staff across 14 departments. Within UW–Madison’s faculty-governance environment, the Dean reports to the chancellor and the provost and is responsible for the college’s strategic direction, academic programs, research enterprise, fiscal stewardship and development, inclusivity, personnel, and relationships with community, industry, and government partners. The college has a budget of approximately $250 million, and its research is supported by federal, state, private, and philanthropic resources.

The Dean also serves as Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station, overseeing its federal agricultural research designation, associated federal research capacity funds, and a statewide network of 12 agricultural research stations. In coordination with the UW–Madison Division of Extension, the Dean helps advance the land-grant mission by connecting university research and expertise with communities throughout Wisconsin. CALS occupies space in 28 campus buildings and manages more than 8,000 acres of land and associated agricultural research facilities in Madison and throughout the state.

Requirements

• Earned doctorate in a discipline relevant to the position.
• Record of scholarly achievement and academic accomplishments appropriate to the candidate’s discipline, with ability to receive tenure and be appointed as a full professor in a UW–Madison CALS department.

Nice To Haves

• At least five years in leadership roles with progressive levels of responsibility.
• Record of successful, visionary leadership and understanding of the changing academic environment and the diverse missions and constituencies of a major public research university.
• Commitment to advancing learning, research, public service, and the land-grant mission.
• Commitment to extension, outreach, and public engagement that apply research, education, and practice-based knowledge to solve problems and foster lifelong learning.
• Commitment to a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, postdocs, faculty, and staff, and ability to relate effectively to those groups and external constituencies.
• Successful leadership experience managing a complex academic unit.
• Communication and advancement experience.
• Ability to work effectively in a shared-governance environment and through collaborative decision-making.
• Collaborative, problem-solving approach responsive to instructional and research needs across UW–Madison schools, colleges, and divisions.
• Ability to represent the College and University in educational, governmental, business, agricultural, natural resources, alumni, nonprofit, and public forums in rural and urban areas.
• Familiarity with national agricultural experiment stations and the cooperative extension system.

Responsibilities

• Provide personnel oversight, including recruiting a diverse faculty and staff and supporting their professional growth and development.
• Lead and oversee the College’s instructional, research, extension, and outreach missions.
• Serve as the College’s chief academic officer.
• Serve as an active member of the Deans Council and foster cross-campus collaborations with other deans and campus leaders.
• Oversee the College’s budget and long-term planning.
• Lead the College’s advancement and alumni activities.
• Promote an inclusive campus climate.
• Oversee and provide leadership for the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station.
• Provide strategic direction for academic programs, the research enterprise, fiscal stewardship and development, inclusivity, personnel, and external relationships.

What This Job Offers

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