Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and Dean, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Posting Details

Job Title Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and Dean, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Requisition Number FE04126

Working Title

Department Name 89000:Provost

Work Location Lexington, KY

Type of Position Faculty

Position Time Status Full-Time

Tenure Track Status Tenure Track

Required Education

Earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree.

Required Related Experience

• Recognized achievement that would warrant appointment as a tenured professor.
• Progressive and broad academic administrative leadership experience arising from an administrative role such as department chair, center director, associate dean, dean or higher.
• Evidence of innovation in the classroom with demonstrated undergraduate and graduate teaching excellence.
• Distinguished record of extramural funding and scholarship aligned with one or more college areas.
• Ability to build partnerships and collaborate with stakeholders and constituencies, government agencies and partners to support the tripartite mission of teaching, research and service.
  
  

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Job Summary

The vice president and dean reports to the president and provost, respectively, and has responsibility for all land-grant engagement activities of students, staff and faculty. As a chief administrative officer within the university, this leader has autonomy and authority for the management and coordination of the college and for implementing its plans, programs, services, as well as scholarly, extension and research endeavors. The college’s academic unit leaders , associate deans and others report directly to the vice president and dean.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a chief administrative officer for the college and meet regularly with the provost for both individual meetings and as part of regular meetings with the other deans.
• As chief land-grant engagement officer, this position is a direct report to the president of the university and a member of the President’s Cabinet. In addition, the person in this position leads the land-grant engagement operations team. The team includes the associate dean and director of cooperative extension, who serves as associate vice president for land-grant engagement, as well as additional staff within the college who provide overall operations and coordination, communications, finance, management of the Engagement Academy and Engagement Grant Program, as well as evaluation of engagement outcomes.
• Recruit as necessary to fulfill specific academic and administrative responsibilities and goals.
• Control the college budget and position it for success under the university’s financial allocation models that incentivize institutional priorities such as student growth, credit hours and success, among other factors.
• Shape the development and implementation of a strategy that will position the college as among the highest rated in the country for extramurally funded research, in conjunction with the .
• Conduct periodic reviews of academic units relative to their missions, administration and finances, and make recommendations for improving their performance as outlined in the governing and administrative regulations.
• Shape the delivery of the college’s curriculum and student learning outcomes. Ensuring the integrity and compliance of all college policies that relate to student admission, education, promotion and the effectiveness of student support services, programs and accreditations.
• Supervise, and delegate projects and responsibilities to, direct reports with mentorship and support.
• Advocate for and make recommendations on new faculty positions, faculty appointments, reappointments, terminal appointments, decisions not to reappoint, post-retirement appointments, promotions, granting of tenure, salaries and salary changes for members of the college or for ultimate action thereon when such authority has been delegated by the president or provost.
• Oversee the annual performance evaluation and effort distributions of all faculty. This includes conducting the evaluations of all direct reports and reviewing and approving the performance evaluations of faculty submitted by the department chairs.
• Make sure that University Governing Regulations, Administrative Regulations and the college Rules of Procedure are utilized while fostering an environment of shared governance by building relations with all campus communities.
• Emphasize wellness, well-being and belonging for all faculty, staff and students.
• Make decisions with authority and responsibility for land-grant engagement, the college’s instruction, research, extension and administrative spaces. This includes periodic review of space utilization and for establishing and implementing guidelines for retention and/or reallocation of space based on faculty utilization and/or productivity.
• Lead a comprehensive philanthropic development strategy with alumni engagement for the college and ensure that it is fully coordinated with the university Philanthropy Office .
• Partner with and participate in the planning and developing of public relations and marketing activities in collaboration with university central units in ways that reinforce the institution’s mission and strategic plan.
• Direct the college’s educational, research and extension work and its effective conduct and management in all matters not specifically charged in the University Regulations and Policies.
• Assume other such duties and responsibilities as requested by the president and/or provost.
  
  

How To Apply

In addition to submitting an application at UK Jobs, Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting the University of Kentucky in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Julie Schrodt and/or Jeremy Duff from Greenwood Asher & Associates. Application materials should include:

• A letter of interest that clearly states the applicant’s qualifications for the position
• A current résumé/curriculum vitae
• A brief statement [one page maximum] about how you would contribute toward the University of Kentucky’s mission of creating a culturally inclusive environment (upload as Specific Request 1)
  
  

We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by July 19th, 2024.

Please direct inquiries, nominations, and application materials to:

Julie Schrodt, Senior Executive Search Consultant

E-mail: julieschrodt@greenwoodsearch.com

Jeremy Duff, Vice President of Executive Search

E-mail: jeremyduff@greenwoodsearch.com

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Preferred Professional Experiences and Characteristics

• Commitment to Purpose: Passionate, effective advocate for an institution which serves the people of the Commonwealth and across the world through education, extension, service and research by finding solutions to improve lives today and creating a sustainable future because of what you bring as a leader.
• Commitment to Excellence: Deep understanding of the foundations for excellence and integrity for the institution’s mission, and the ability to attract, retain and develop outstanding faculty, students and staff and to mentor them in building and sustaining programs of the highest caliber amidst a dynamic educational landscape in a changing global context. A record of facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations. Ability to build partnerships within and beyond the university to enhance programs, offerings, research and contributions to the field.
• Authentic Student Investment: Commitment to understanding evolving student needs and concerns and to providing students with meaningful experiences that lead to their academic and professional success. Decision-making with student interests at the forefront.
• Land-grant Engagement: Ability to engage and build meaningful partnerships with a wide variety of external constituents including community leaders and members. Ability to support and enhance the college’s national presence while honoring its commitment to prioritize agriculture, food and environment.
• Operational, Managerial and Fiscal Acumen: Ability to work, thrive, strategize and successfully manage faculty, staff and programs. Experience with budgets, financial planning, market research, delegation, strategic resource allocation and reallocation when undergoing change in a large, complex environment by leveraging information technology, data resources, people and knowledge.
• Experience or Demonstrable Potential for Success in Fundraising: Capacity and experience to lead an effective fundraising effort that inspires alumni and others to strengthen and support the college and the mission.
  
  

Personal Characteristics and Competencies

• Commitment to Belonging: A demonstrable commitment to — and record of — leadership in advancing belonging, and exemplary skills in communicating, collaborating with and supporting all community members.
• Articulating Vision, Undertaking Strategic Thinking and Demonstrating Capacity for Execution: A record of formulating and articulating ambitious plans; operationalizing strategic initiatives; inspiring consensus around shared goals; demonstrating superb judgment and decision-making; fostering a culture of trust and fairness; and building collaboration among faculty, staff and students while advancing and catalyzing fresh thinking to ensure enhanced impact.
• Readiness to Foster a Cohesive and High-performing Team in a Changing Culture: An open, accessible and transparent leadership and communication style; delegation of authority and accountability to the team to deliver and ensure alignment with overall strategy and direction; reinforce independent and open communication among constituents; actively seek and accept feedback (both positive and negative); and acknowledge team contributions.
• Providing Collaborative and Courageous Leadership: Leadership with analytical capacity to make complex decisions and to enter wholeheartedly into challenging conversations. An appreciation for and ability to work within a model and tradition of strong shared governance. The inclination to seek broad stakeholder input and the ability to take informed and decisive action when necessary while modeling exemplary institutional citizenship.
• Bridge-Building to Address 21st Century Challenges: Ability to find ways to get to agreement while building strong relationships within a complex environment of higher education, as well as a diverse and innovative agricultural sector. Strength for building partnerships across the university to address organization-wide opportunities and constraints. Commitment to sustaining and developing connections and collaborations for engaging vested stakeholders.
• Demonstrating Outstanding Communication Skills and Temperament: A propensity for active listening and the willingness to learn from others; a natural inclination to communicate openly and with transparency and respect; and the emotional intelligence to build and inspire trust, establish collaborative relationships and ensure broad-based support for decisions, plans and initiatives. Ability to express and generate excitement for the college’s mission and plans and the capacity to promote the interests, mission and brand across and beyond the university’s campuses. Ease with diverse constituencies and the ability to connect with audiences large and small across the rural/urban landscape continuum.
• Showing Emotional Intelligence: Empathy skills and capacity to relate to others, see other points of view, build broad support for decisions and inspire followership and action. The skill and experience to steward and develop relationships with current and potential partners throughout the Commonwealth. A palpable respect for colleagues and students, self-awareness and the capacity and inclination to be a model colleague and university citizen.
• Demanding Ethics and Integrity for Yourself and Others: Excellent judgment with the highest integrity.
  
  

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

The successful candidate must possess a recognized tertiary degree and be nationally recognized in academic pursuits that would warrant appointment as a tenured, full professor. The candidate must have progressive and broad experience in academic administrative leadership for at least 10 years, arising from a senior-level administrative role such as department chair, center director, associate dean or dean. They must also demonstrate a commitment and ability to advance the university’s philosophy and practice in creating an inclusive environment.

Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled Yes

University Community of Inclusion

The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.