Dean, Darr College of Agriculture

The William H. Darr College of Agriculture at Missouri State University, located in Springfield, Missouri, invites applications for an innovative, team-oriented, visionary leader for the position of Dean.  Anticipated start date is January 1, 2023.  The dean has oversight for three academic departments, the State Fruit Experiment Station, and several major teaching and research properties/facilities.  The academic disciplines are integrated into the Departments of Animal Science, Environmental Plant Science and Natural Resources, and Agricultural Business, Education and Communication that provide 20 undergraduate majors, 11 minors, 6 certificates, and 5 graduate programs.  The College has 29 full-time faculty, 11 per course faculty, and 24 office and field staff supporting over 800 undergraduate and graduate students. The faculty have forged strong relationships with the agricultural community as demonstrated by internships, post-graduate placement, and an engaged advisory board.

In the past decade, Darr College of Agriculture has experienced growth in majors and a complementary expansion of facilities. While the Springfield campus is the primary home for the Darr College of Agriculture, the College also operates teaching and research facilities that provide experiential learning and research experiences for students and faculty. These research facilities include:

  • Darr Agricultural Center (90-acres) - includes the Bond Learning Center, Pinegar Arena, and research plots [4.1 miles]; 
  • Mountain Grove Campus (190 acres) - includes the  State Fruit Experiment Station which supports a number of plant research opportunities, including grape genetics, breeding, clean plant production, an Enology Lab, and integrated pest management [78 miles];
  • Journagan Ranch (3,200 acres) -has the largest University owned purebred herd of Hereford cattle in the United States [78 miles];
  • Shealy Farm (260 acres) – demonstrates maximum use of forages in the diet during all stages of beef production [24 miles];
  • Kindrick Family Farm (80 acres) – supports grain crop production/research, soil and crop management, and achieving educational goals [9 miles];
  • The Woodlands (160 acres) – includes a variety of forest ecosystems supporting forest and wildlife management programming [7 miles]; and
  • Baker’s Acres (130 acres) – supports animal science and beef production studies [25 miles].
                                                                                                  [ ] denotes distance from the main campus

Darr College of Agriculture has cooperative education programs with Ningxia University and Southwest University in China. Darr College of Agriculture also hosts short-term study students from Brazil and Taiwan and visiting scholars from China and other countries.

Recently, a $6.5 million gift funded a classroom building for a Springfield Public Schools (SPS) magnet school dedicated to agricultural to be located at the Darr Center. The classroom building will begin serving approximately 150 elementary students in fall 2022.

Duties and Responsibilities. As chief academic and administrative officer of the College, the Dean provides professional, intellectual, and administrative leadership while helping to craft and pursue a vision consistent with the University’s Long-Range Plan and Public Affairs mission.  The dean supports faculty, staff, and students by promoting excellence in teaching and research; encouraging faculty development; strengthening student recruitment, retention, and success; supporting a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); building partnerships with external constituents and public organizations; pursuing grants and engaging in fundraising, alumni relations, and development activities; and demonstrating sound fiscal management and transparency. 

Required Qualifications.

1) A terminal degree in a discipline within the College;

2) An established record of scholarly research, teaching, and service appropriate for appointment
    as a tenured Full Professor;

3) Evidence of significant administrative experience including but not limited to fiscal oversight,
    personnel management, program evaluation and strategic planning;

4) Evidence of successful leadership, organizational, and communication skills;

5) Demonstrated success in collaborating with other universities and community colleges, engaging with alumni and community organizations, and participating on external boards and councils; and

6) A demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The University

Missouri State University enrolls more than 24,000 students and offers over 100 undergraduate and 60 graduate degree programs.  Missouri State University is a selective-admissions, multi-campus, comprehensive university with a statewide mission in public affairs.  The main campus,  located in Springfield, is composed of seven academic colleges: Agriculture, Arts and Letters; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Humanities and Public Affairs; and Natural and Applied Sciences. For more information, please refer to the Missouri State University website: http://www.missouristate.edu.

Surrounding Community

Springfield is the third-largest city in Missouri with a metropolitan population of more than 500,000.  It is noted for its thriving economy, excellent schools, superior health care facilities, beautiful neighborhoods, active arts community, exciting entertainment scene, temperate climate, and outstanding recreational opportunities.  Located in the southwest region of the state, Springfield is surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Ozarks hills, streams, and lakes.  Springfield is ranked among the 100 Best Communities for young people, is in the top 40 cities for quality of life and is home to two top 100 integrated health systems in the nation.  For more information about the City of Springfield and to see photos of the city, please visit www.liveinspringfieldmo.com .

Applications.  Applications should include the following:

  • Curriculum vita with contact information for three to five professional references
  • Cover letter
  • College Leadership Vision Statement
  • Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
  • Unofficial transcripts for all degrees achieved

References will be contacted after screening interviews are completed and finalists affirm their desire to interview on the Springfield, Missouri campus.

The first date of consideration will be August 1, 2022 and will continue until the search is completed.  See https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/63178 for a full description of the position and to apply.

Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action/minority/female/veterans/disability/sexual orientation/gender identity employer and institution. We encourage applications from all interested minorities, females, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and sexual orientation/gender identity.

            Employment will require a criminal background check at University Expense.