Vice President for Agriculture and Dean of the College of Agriculture

Louisiana State University (LSU) is seeking an exceptionally innovative, visionary, influential, and strategic leader to join a dedicated staff and leadership team at one of the nation’s leading universities and serve as Vice President for Agriculture and Dean of the College of Agriculture (VPA & Dean).

LSU comprises eight campuses stretching across Louisiana and includes more than 50,000 students and research expenditures amounting to $360 million. Within LSU are two health sciences centers in New Orleans and Shreveport offering various levels of degrees in medicine, dentistry, allied health, nursing, public health, and graduate studies. The LSU Agricultural Center encompasses both extension responsibilities and agricultural research. The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a premier research institute specializing in chronic disease, diabetes, and obesity. LSU Shreveport offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level and has an emerging online presence. LSU Alexandria is a four-year institution serving the central region of the state. LSU Eunice is a junior college offering degrees and certificates in health, business, and liberal arts.

 

This position reports to LSU President William F. Tate IV, providing overall leadership for agriculture. The position holds the title of Vice President, exercising leadership over the LSU Agricultural Center campus (AgCenter). The position also serves as Dean of the College of Agriculture (COA) under the LSU Flagship campus, with that part of the position reporting to the Executive Vice President & Provost, Roy Haggerty. 

Responsibilities applicable to the AgCenter include providing leadership for the AgCenter’s programs and operations. The AgCenter, one of eight campuses within the broader LSU enterprise, has as its mission responsibility for providing the people of Louisiana with research-based educational information that will improve their lives and economic well-being. The LSU AgCenter includes the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, which conducts agricultural-based research, and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, which extends the knowledge derived from research to the people of the state. The LSU AgCenter also plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H and FFA youth, family and consumer sciences, and community development programs. The AgCenter is a statewide organization headquartered in Baton Rouge and consists of 11 campus-based academic departments, five regional offices with oversight for 15 research stations, and 64 parish cooperative extension offices.

In all roles, the Vice President for Agriculture and the Dean of the College of Agriculture oversees the administration and development of the organization including:

 

  • Provide leadership for employment, promotion and tenure, training, evaluation and administration of faculty and staff.
  • Oversee financial and physical resources of the AgCenter and COA; manage resources in a manner that is effective in advancing the goals and objectives of the COA and AgCenter; develop strategies for extramural funding; and support overall LSU development goals.
  • Ensure compliance with campus, university, state, and federal policies and procedures.
  • Implement measures to facilitate equal opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion in programs and employment.

 

It is expected that the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

 

  • Earned doctorate in a relevant field;
  • A record of excellence in research evidenced by publications, extramural funding, and the skills and abilities to maximize research impact;
  • Accomplishments commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of full professor;
  • Demonstrated ability to provide visionary leadership for complex organizations and/or initiatives;
  • Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and align resources to achieve strategic outcomes;
  • A professional history of building and advancing social science, science, engineering and technology across the agriculture enterprise and in partnership with other academic, expansion, and research units;
  • A track record of using applied science and technology in support of the agriculture industry;
  • A proven ability to provide visionary leadership to a variety of groups and individuals as well as a large, geographically dispersed organization;
  • An effective verbal and written communicator, able to clearly articulate a complex organization’s long-term vision and strategy;
  • An ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituencies; and
  • Appreciation of the perspectives of faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders.

 

How to Apply

 

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC is assisting Louisiana State University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. In order to assure the fullest consideration, candidates are encouraged to have complete applications submitted by January 1, 2023.

 

Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Greenwood/Asher and Associates. For a full application package, please provide a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of leadership philosophy, a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement, and a list of five references. Submission of application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. All applications, nominations, and inquiries will remain confidential to the extent allowed under Louisiana law. An offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

 

Please direct inquiries, nominations, and application materials to:

 

Julie Holley, Search Manager & Senior Executive Search Consultant

Lois Stetson, Senior Executive Search Consultant

julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com

loisstetson@greenwoodsearch.com

 

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

 

LSU believes diversity, equity, and inclusion enrich the educational experience of our students, faculty, and staff, and are necessary to prepare all people to thrive personally and professionally in a global society. We celebrate diversity and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion. We actively seek and encourage qualified applications from persons with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. To learn more about how LSU is committed to diversity and inclusivity, please see LSU’s Diversity Statement and Roadmap. The AgCenter shares the commitment to fostering an environment of inclusion, respect, and appreciation of differences in individuals. To learn more, visit the AgCenter’s Diversity, Inclusion and Opportunity site. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resource Management (hr@lsu.edu).

 

Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31 (http://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=99414) requires all unclassified employees of the state earning $100,000 or more annually to provide proof of a valid Louisiana driver’s license and that all vehicles titled in their name have been registered in the state of Louisiana. Accordingly, successful candidates impacted by La. R.S. 42:31 will be expected to comply with these requirements within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment. Employees must continue to comply throughout the duration of employment