Dean College of Agriculture Environmental Science

Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Science

Posting Number: req
24812

Department:
College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Science

Location:

Tucson Campus, Tucson, AZ USA

The (U of

A) 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.

The next dean will provide bold, future-focused leadership to position CALES as a next-generation land‑grant college that is deeply connected to communities statewide, nationally, and internationally. In alignment with the key priorities for the next dean include articulating a compelling vision that inspires faculty, staff, students, and partners to new levels of academic excellence and public value; modernizing curricula to enhance student success;

advancing interdisciplinary research; and championing Cooperative Extension as a cornerstone of statewide impact.

This includes implementing the through intentional engagement with each department and school within the college, while cultivating cross‑functional collaboration with deans, senior leaders, and the Provost to set a transformative standard for student success.

The dean reports to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer and oversees a $145 million budget. This leader will serve as the public face of CALES, forging partnerships with industry, government, alumni, tribal communities, and other community stakeholders, and driving resource development through fundraising and advocacy. The role also requires a strong statewide presence, engaging regularly across county offices, tribal nations, and experiment stations to strengthen relationships and understand local needs firsthand.

Success will require strategic vision, strong financial acumen, administrative and organizational leadership experience, and the ability to unify the college around shared purpose and innovation.

The ideal candidate will embody the University of Arizona’s land‑grant mission and commitment to serving the people of Arizona through teaching, research, extension, and community engagement.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

• The next dean will lead efforts to define and communicate a bold, forward-looking vision that positions CALES as a next-generation land grant college—one that integrates cutting‑edge research, modernized curricula, and statewide engagement to advance innovations in arid‑land agriculture, biotechnology, human wellness, natural resource stewardship, and the economic and social dimensions of sustainable communities. This vision must inspire faculty, staff, students, and external partners while aligning with the and leveraging CALES’ unique strengths.

• As the next dean works in partnership with faculty and staff to create a compelling vision for CALES, it will be a timely moment to shape innovative programs, expand experiential and applied learning, and refocus academic offerings to meet evolving workforce, industry, and community needs. Additional critical priorities include curriculum renewal, fostering innovation in teaching, and bolstering support for both undergraduate and graduate student engagement and success.
  
  The dean will lead efforts to strengthen student recruitment pathways—particularly among rural and agricultural communities—and ensure that CALES graduates are prepared for leadership in a rapidly changing economy. A critical priority will be reversing the loss of Arizona students—particularly in production agriculture and applied fields—to out‑of‑state institutions by…