Tarleton State University - Head of Agricultural Education and Communication Department (Tenured)

Academic Career & Executive Search•Stephenville, TX

39d•Onsite

About The Position

Tarleton State University Head of Agricultural Education and Communication Department and Tenured Associate or Full Professor Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Tarleton State University in its search for Head of Agricultural Education and Communication Department and Tenured Associate or Full Professor. For full consideration, please apply by March 16, 2026. Tarleton State has emerged as Texas’s fastest-growing public university , posting nearly 50% enrollment growth since 2022, with sustained year-over-year increases that underscore its expanding statewide impact. This is a pivotal moment to join an institution making significant strategic investments in academic excellence, research capacity, and student success, and a compelling opportunity for a visionary, people-centered academic leader to shape the next chapter of a flagship academic unit. In this context, Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Associate Professor/Professor and Department Head in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications. As part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, this role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a university that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth. Guided by the university’s long-range plan, Tarleton Forward 2030 , the institution is pursuing ambitious goals related to academic distinction, research growth, and community engagement. Tarleton’s rising national profile, including its Carnegie R2 designation, reflects a growing emphasis on scholarship, external funding, and innovation. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Department Head serves as the chief academic and administrative leader of the department and will oversee a department of 15 faculty (and growing), which currently enrolls the second-largest student population among academic units. The successful candidate will bring the credibility, judgment, and leadership presence to set direction, establish clear expectations, and unify a growing academic unit, while supporting faculty development, strengthening academic programs, and advancing college and university priorities. Housed within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Department is part of one of Tarleton State University’s most established and high-impact academic units, known for its strong applied-learning focus and deep connections to Texas’s agricultural, natural resource, and rural communities. There is one doctoral program in the college (Animal and Natural Resource Sciences) with one more planned for submission in 2027. The Department’s academic programs prepare graduates for leadership across education, industry, and communication sectors, and are supported by a deeply engaged and influential alumni network. The Stephenville campus further supports this work through state-of-the-art facilities, including the Research and Economic Development Building, recipient of a 2025 TEXO Distinguished Building Award , designed to catalyze collaboration across disciplines. Tarleton State University continues to grow its impact across Texas, with four distinct campuses located in Stephenville, Fort Worth, RELLIS-Bryan and Waco, along with a robust online community that extends reach even further. At the heart of it all is Stephenville, where Tarleton State offers a dynamic environment for faculty and staff. From a lively live music scene and numerous local festivals to rich traditions rooted in the surrounding community, Stephenville provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. This 12-month, tenured appointment (50% administrative) is based primarily on Tarleton’s main campus in Stephenville, Texas.

Requirements

Earned doctorate in Agricultural Education/Communication/Leadership, or a related field from an accredited university.
Distinguished record in teaching and research warranting a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor.
Eligibility for tenure will be determined by reviewing the candidate’s record consistent with Texas A&M University System guidance.
Tenure upon arrival is contingent on Texas A&M System Board of Regents approval.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Knowledge and understanding of disciplinary subject matter at a level adequate for graduate-level instruction.
Written and oral communication skills sufficient to conduct effective teaching and research activities.
Ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty in a professional, collegial, and collaborative manner.

Nice To Haves

A distinguished record in teaching and research that warrants a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Full Professor.
Administrative and leadership experience as department head/chair.
Previous experience in oversight of accredited academic programs.
Demonstrated ability to use and understand data to inform strategic planning.
Strong evidence of the ability to set operational goals from strategic plans.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the department faculty and staff to establish a vision for the department in alignment with the overall vision of the school, college, and the university.
Lead the shared development and implementation of a departmental strategic plan.
Work with the college dean and their leadership team, as well as administrative leadership in academic affairs and across institutional divisions to fulfill the institutional strategic plan Tarleton Forward 2030.
Develop and manage the department’s budget in collaboration with college and university administration.
Oversee the allocation of departmental resources, including equipment, lab space, technology, and office space.
Work with the university budget specialist for record keeping and university reporting.
Ensure the ongoing review, development, and modification of curriculum to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies, and to meet the evolving needs of students, accreditation standards, and industry expectations.
Ensure review and evaluation of existing academic programs, using data to enhance quality and ensure alignment with institutional goals.
Work with department and university partners to propose and develop new undergraduate and graduate programs, including interdisciplinary programs, majors, minors, certificates, etc.
Ensure that academic programs meet discipline and institutional accreditation requirements, including preparation of necessary reports and supporting documentation.
Oversee faculty and staff recruitment efforts, ensuring compliant recruitment practices and high-quality hiring.
Provide mentorship and guidance to faculty and staff, foster ongoing professional development; encourage and support faculty in pursuing effective teaching practices and competitive scholarship.
Oversee faculty teaching assignments; oversee the collaborative articulation of faculty teaching, research, service, and administrative goals in the yearly Statement of Expectation documents.
Conduct annual performance evaluations of faculty and staff, including faculty midpoint, tenure & promotion, and post-tenure reviews.
Foster open lines of communication within the department as well as with [school and] college leadership; address and mediate conflicts within the department, including faculty and staff disputes.
Foster a productive environment for student engagement, retention, and graduation; support student organizations within the department.
Ensure that class offerings meet student demand and degree progression.
Support faculty in their obligation to uphold standards of academic integrity and rigor of classes and programs; mediate departmental processes for student academic appeals.
Work with the Division of Enrollment Management and the College of Graduate Studies to market programs to increase enrollment.
Connect students with opportunities for internships, experiential learning, and career exploration
Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum.
Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.
Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement.
Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant’s academic discipline.
Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge/creative expression in the applicant’s discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.
Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.