Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The University of Wyoming (UW) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The new Dean will serve as a passionate advocate and enthusiastic champion for the College’s mission to improve the quality of life for people in Wyoming and the global community through implementing UW’s land-grant mission in teaching, research, and extension.

Overview of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (COANR) is one of ten academic colleges/schools at UW and offers programs in basic and applied science, soils and rangeland management, reclamation, community development including family entrepreneurship, and the economic impacts of energy development. The College enjoys a strong a national reputation in several fields. In 2016, a total of $15 million in extramural grants was awarded to the College; and in the years 2014 to 2016, on average 7 invention disclosures were filed by College departments per year. The College is supported by a budget of $46 million and is home to 80 full-time tenure-track faculty members, 15 Academic Professional Lecturers, 29 Research Scientists, 70 Extension Educators, and 125 on and off-campus staff serving 1,023 undergraduates and 111 graduate students. The COANR is comprised of the following academic departments and programs: Agricultural and Applied Economics; Animal Science; Ecosystem Science and Management; Family and Consumer Sciences; Molecular Biology; Plant Sciences; Veterinary Sciences; Agricultural Communications Program; and Microbiology Program. The College currently benefits from a $48 million endowment and within these resources are: 10 permanent legacies with a gift value of over $22 million with an estimated yearly income of $961,000; 6 Excellence Funds with permanent gifts totaling $4 million with an estimated yearly income of $178,000; and a robust discretionary fund available to the Dean of over $200,000.

The Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station (WAES) and University of Wyoming Extension (UW Extension) are also housed within the College. WAES provides support for fundamental and applied research on agricultural, natural, and community resource issues related to the needs of Wyoming, the region, the nation, and the world. As the research branch of the College, WAES funds and actively promotes research with an emphasis on areas identified through stakeholder input and national priorities. WAES operates four Research and Extension Centers across the State in Laramie, Powell, Lingle, and Sheridan. In addition, with offices located in each of Wyoming’s 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation, UW Extension’s educational mission and statewide presence helps Wyoming’s citizens and communities to respond to many of the contemporary challenges the State’s people and its rural communities encounter.

The COANR is poised to play a significant role in UW’s efforts to advance the goals for the College as expressed in the ENDOW (Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming) initiative in partnership with other key statewide agencies responsible for enhancing economic prosperity in Wyoming. ENDOW focuses on industries that have the greatest potential to drive substantial impact and diversification of Wyoming’s economy and fundamental to this strategy is support of Wyoming’s natural resource, tourism/recreation, and agriculture industries. Given the inextricable link between agriculture and natural resources, the COANR is not only well-positioned to further increase the University’s impact and contributions in these areas by leveraging its existing strengths and identifying new opportunities for growth, but also elevate UW’s stature locally and nationally.

For more information regarding the COANR, please visit https://www.uwyo.edu/uwag/.

Position Summary

The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with responsibility for the academic and outreach leadership of the College and the management of its resources, including faculty and staff, physical facilities, and budget. The Dean will oversee the College’s critical research and educational programs that address the needs of the State and fulfil its vision of supporting thriving agriculture, natural resources, people, and communities by integrating quality education, innovative research, and impactful engagement. The Dean of COANR will interface with UW and College leadership, faculty, industry leaders, policy makers, the College’s Advisory Board, and others who have a vested interest in the College’s teaching, research and extension programs, and their impact on Wyoming and the region. In partnership with College faculty, state and national research and educational priorities will be determined and influenced by the Dean’s engagement with statewide stakeholder groups.

In serving as the COANR’s lead advocate, the Dean will facilitate interactions of common interest among the other colleges and schools on campus to coordinate COANR research and service activities pertaining to agriculture, natural resources, and other related issues.

Qualifications

Candidates for the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming will possess an earned doctorate from an accredited institution and an outstanding record of scholarly achievement commensurate with appointment as full professor with tenure in one of the departments in the College. In addition, strong candidates will also exhibit:

  • Academic administrative and/or leadership experience at a research university;
  • A demonstrated ability for leadership and management, including excellent organizational, strategic planning, supervisory, and problem-solving skills;
  • Knowledge and understanding of budgeting, financial controls, fiscal interests and issues;
  • A proven track record of engaging external stakeholders and the complex issues impacting the agricultural and/or natural resources communities; experience building partnerships, trust, and confidence within these stakeholder groups;
  • An appreciation for and commitment to the value of diversity in the ranks of faculty, staff, and students;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to build and enhance relationships with the staff, community and various constituent groups;
  • Knowledge of government policy, advocacy organizations, and legislative processes that influence and affect agriculture and environmental sciences.

For a complete position profile and list of qualifications, please visit https://www.storbeckpimentel.com/pd/UW/COANR.pdf.

The University

Established in 1886, the University of Wyoming is a land-grant, doctoral/research university, Division I member of the NCAA—Mountain West Conference. UW is the only four-year public university in the state and combines major-university benefits and small-school advantages. UW had a fall 2017 enrollment of 12,397 students, evenly divided between male and female students, from all 50 states and 91 countries. It offers 192 majors, including 21 certificate programs, 78 bachelor’s programs, 57 master’s programs and 36 doctorate/professional programs. It is institutionally accredited and four colleges hold specialty accreditation. External research funding was over $95 million in FY16. The University’s FY18 Operating Budget is $471.6 million of which 46% comes from State appropriations. Exceptional state support makes it possible for UW to offer one of the lowest tuition rates in the country - $5,217 for resident undergraduates and $16,827 for non-resident undergraduates. In addition to the operating budget appropriation, the State funds the Hathaway Scholarship program. In 2016, the last year for which there are records, 3,174 resident students received scholarships between $1,680 and $3,360 (amount is based upon high school achievement). An additional margin of excellence is provided by UW’s endowments, which rank among the highest per full time student in US public universities at over $500 million. For more information about the University of Wyoming, please visit https://www.uwyo.edu/.

Application and Nomination Process

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence. Applications will remain confidential until the selection of the finalists, whose names and application materials will be made public.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

Salvador Venegas, Senior Associate

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA  90601

Email:  apsearch@storbeckpimentel.com

Refer to code “UW-DeanCOANR” in subject line

The University of Wyoming embraces the principles of affirmative action and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.