The Ohio State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
The Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs serves as a member of the senior leadership team of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean, the Associate Dean works collaboratively with the other members of the leadership team of the College, including department chairs and unit leaders, to implement a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan for CFAES. Collectively, the senior leadership team serves as stewards of the land grant mission of teaching, research, and Extension.
Specifically, the Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs provides leadership and oversight for the teaching and learning enterprise of the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). The central focus of this individual’s work is to ensure the relevance, quality, and impact of the College’s efforts to prepare students for a changing world. The Associate Dean is expected to be a champion for excellence in our academic mission.
Responsibilities
Academic Program Leadership
- Oversee and lead the College’s commitment to student success initiatives including efforts targeting first and second year students, living and learning communities, career services, honors program, undergraduate research, education abroad, internships, learning assessment, scholarships and financial aid, and preparing students/graduates for lifetime relationships with the College and University.
- Provide leadership for undergraduate student recruitment and new student orientation within the College, including supporting efforts in the School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Agricultural Technical Institute, with a particular emphasis on increasing the number of students from underrepresented groups.
- Convene regular meetings of faculty who provide oversight of undergraduate programs of the College and provide oversight of CFAES undergraduate and graduate learning outcomes assessment.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data useful to the process of making decisions regarding the relevance, quality, and impact of the academic programs of the College.
- Enhance the global dimension of the undergraduate educational enterprise.
- Serve as a champion for innovations that help CFAES serve the needs of diverse learners. (Examples include use of instructional technology, online learning, certificates, and community engaged learning.)
- Identify and prioritize needed improvements in facilities and technology that will enhance teaching and learning on our campuses and through distance education.
- Advise and assist the Vice President and Dean on all matters related to teaching and learning as well as with the development of reports, presentations, and speeches.
- Identify and cultivate new revenue streams that have the potential to support the teaching and learning enterprise of CFAES. This may include philanthropic support, grants, contracts, and partnerships with government, business, and industry.
- In collaboration with department chairs/directors/unit leaders, identify and cultivate emerging disciplinary and multi-disciplinary curricular opportunities.
- Ensure the effectiveness of institutional practices related to the advising and mentoring of students.
- Oversee implementation of programming and awards that incentivize and recognize student involvement and achievement.
College Leadership
- Work collaboratively with the members of the CFAES community to create a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment that values contributions of all people in the achievement of mutual goals.
- Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, the Director of the School of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Director of The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, to ensure seamless integration of academic services, programs, policies, and procedures; and enhance the availability of undergraduate research opportunities, including those with OSU’s Honors and Scholars Program.
- Collaborate with the Associate Dean and Director of OSU Extension to identify experiential learning opportunities for students in Ohio communities and to develop credit and non-credit professional and continuing education offerings.
- Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer on philanthropy, donor stewardship, industry relations, and in developing programs to assist with the transition from student to alumni.
- Develop policies and practices to distribute resources within the College to incentivize collaboration, innovation, and synergistic alliances.
- Participate in the recruitment, hiring, and orientation of new faculty.
Management and Operations
- Manage a talented and diverse team of professionals, support staff, and students who perform the work of the central academic programs unit.
- Provide oversight to the management of funds associated with the unit.
- Assist in the process of obtaining and maintaining specialized academic program accreditations.
- Administer university processes for the creation and modification of courses and programs.
Faculty Development
- Lead faculty development efforts that focus on the improvement of teaching, development of curricula, and learning outcomes assessment.
- Develop and lead the implementation of initiatives that reward effective teaching and advising.
Service
- Serve on College and university committees that support the overall operations of the institution.
- Maintain ongoing relationships with peers in other colleges of the University.
- Engage in professional associations and societies that have the potential to build personal and institutional capacity to support teaching and learning.
Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in agriculture, life science, environmental science, engineering, social science or other related discipline.
- Credentials commensurate with the requirements for the appointment at the rank of full professor at the Ohio State University.
- Leadership experience in planning and advancing the relevance, quality, and impact of teaching and learning at a postsecondary academic institution.
The University
The Ohio State University is a world-class public research, land-grant university and the leading comprehensive teaching and research institution in the state of Ohio. Ohio State is the only university in the country with colleges of agriculture, business, engineering, medicine, and veterinary medicine all on one campus. The University enrolls over 59,000 students in Columbus, and an additional 6,600 students at four regional campuses, making it the second largest university in the country. Ohio State has 15 colleges, 175 undergraduate majors, and 240 masters, doctoral, and professional degree programs providing exceptional breadth and depth of opportunity in the sciences, liberal arts, and professional schools. Ohio State is currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 60 universities in the United States, among the nation’s top 20 public universities, and as the best public university in Ohio. Annual research expenditures are close to $1 billion. The Ohio State University is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ohio’s governor.
The University’s 3,500 faculty include members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; Sloan, Guggenheim, and Fulbright scholars; and distinguished fellows from numerous learned societies. Ohio State is a member of the Association of American Universities, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an institution in the “highest research activity” and “community engagement” categories.
The College
The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University offers a collaborative environment; consistent support from industry and government; and nationally and internationally respected colleagues. CFAES provides essential research, education and public outreach in support of our mission – we sustain life. CFAES does this with the support of its 421 faculty, 1,462 staff, and 3,756 undergraduate and graduate students. The College is dedicated to bringing knowledge, passion, and hands-on educational experience to its students both inside and outside the classroom. Three out of every four freshman entering CFAES receive a scholarship, with over $2 million in scholarships awarded annually. Students enjoy a 10:1 student to faculty ratio, and nearly 40% of students in CFAES study abroad.
These students take courses and/or conduct research in one or more of the ten academic units in the College:
- Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership
- Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics
- Animal Sciences
- Entomology
- Food Science and Technology
- Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
- Horticulture and Crop Science
- Plant Pathology
- School of Environment and Natural Resources
- The OSU Agricultural Technical Institute
The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster is the largest agricultural experiment station of its kind in the US. OARDC scientists in several of the academic units listed above, along with the Food Animal Health Research Program, have been leaders in agricultural research for over a century. It provides more than 4,000 acres for field research in addition to other facilities such as the Secrest Arboretum, the Biomass and Bioproducts Research Center, the Compost Research Center, a rubber processing pilot plant, weather stations, greenhouses, and one of only two University BSL-3 level research facilities in the US. The OARDC facilities in Wooster are powered by an Anaerobic Digestor that renewably provides more than 30% of its electrical energy demand.
Ohio State University Extension extends the knowledge resources of CFAES and the broader University to the people of Ohio through an educational process focused on local issues and needs. Supported by an annual budget of approximately $70 million, Ohio State University Extension helps communicate relevant research in a way that improves quality of life for Ohioans. Extension employees are located in all of Ohio’s 88 counties and on The Ohio State University in Columbus.
The Ohio State Agricultural Institute (ATI), located in Wooster, is an associate degree-granting program within the College where students participate in a curriculum that includes general and basic studies, hands-on experience, and a paid industry internship. ATI is the largest institution of its kind in the country, offering 32 programs of study. The Brookings Institution recently analyzed the U.S. Department of Education’s new College Scorecard database to produce value-added rankings for nearly 4,000 U.S. colleges. Among 1,507 two-year colleges, Ohio State ATI scores 97/100, the highest of any two-year public institution in the state.
With a robust research enterprise, the College’s research expenditures for FY 2016 were over $41 million. The success of the College is driven by its strategic plan, with a focus on three signature areas: food security, production, and human health; environmental quality and sustainability; and advanced bioenergy and biobased products. The College has collaborative partnerships with many academic units across campus leveraging the expertise of the faculty at the University.
Additional information about the College can be found here: http://cfaes.osu.edu
Nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but to ensure optimal consideration, please submit application materials including: 1) cover letter addressing how the candidate’s experience and skills match the position requirements; 2) a one-page statement of philosophy and perspective on inclusion and diversity, and how this can help us achieve our goals related to diversity and the mentoring of underrepresented groups; and 3) a curriculum vitae or résumé by December 18, 2017 to the University’s executive recruitment consultants:
Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Chelsie Whitelock, Senior Associate
Buffkin/Baker
10 Cadillac Drive, Suite 190
Brentwood, TN 37027
The Ohio State University is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment, encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential. We are responsive to dual-career families and strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. We are an NSF Advance Institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium. The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.