Dean College of Agriculture Environmental Science

Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Science

University of Arizona invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES). This is a pivotal opportunity for a visionary and strategic leader to guide one of the nation’s leading and most innovative agriculture, life, and environmental sciences colleges into its next era of excellence and impact.

• Articulate and advance a compelling vision for CALES that positions the college as a next‑generation land‑grant college integrating cutting‑edge research, modernized curricula, and statewide engagement.
• Shape innovative programs and enhance student success by leading curriculum renewal, fostering innovation in teaching, and bolstering support for undergraduate and graduate student engagement and success.
• Champion the land‑grant mission and elevate Cooperative Extension by strengthening the integration of research, teaching, and extension and advocating for Extension’s unique funding structure.
• Generate new resources and serve as a spokesperson for CALES by building relationships with legislators, industry leaders, alumni, and community partners across Arizona and beyond, developing relationships that lead to transformative philanthropic investments.
• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional faculty, staff, and leaders by advocating for competitive salaries, ensuring faculty support for teaching, research, and applied practice, and strengthening faculty and staff mentorship programs.
• Advance CALES’ financial health and capacity by securing philanthropic support, cultivating corporate partnerships, expanding grant funding, and planning for facilities upgrades to support program growth and innovation.

• A doctoral degree and a distinguished record of excellence in teaching, research, extension, and service are required for a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of full professor.
• Proven record as an academic leader—such as department head, associate dean, institute director, or other senior administration—with experience fostering collaboration and championing faculty and staff across tenure‑track and career‑track roles.
• Experience managing complex budgets with transparency and strategic foresight; ability to navigate financial constraints while aligning resources with priorities.
• Proven ability to build and sustain strong external partnerships, expand donor bases beyond traditional sectors, and secure significant philanthropic support to advance the college’s mission.

Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., Jessica Herrington, and Jess Cummings