Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
University of Vermont

Job Info

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Advertising Copy:

The University of Vermont (UVM), one of the nation's premier public research universities, seeks an accomplished and inspiring academic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a vital academic unit that engages in interdisciplinary programs and innovative research in agriculture, food systems and the broad range of life sciences to address emerging needs of society. The College seeks a dynamic, creative, visionary Dean who can lead the College into a collaborative and impactful future.

Enhanced by an array of physical resources that include research stations, farms, and horticultural facilities, the College plays an integral role in UVM's research and outreach missions. It also supports a wide range of interdisciplinary initiatives across the University, including the Institute for Agroecology, the Gund Institute for Environment, and graduate programs in food systems and ecological economics. Additionally, as home to the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station and UVM Extension, CALS helps communities across the state find innovative solutions to the challenges they face. In each of these dimensions, the work of CALS takes full advantage of Vermont's unique position as a living laboratory for agriculture and the life sciences. Next to the Larner College of Medicine, CALS faculty bring in more sponsored research funding than any other college at the University.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences educates community-driven innovators who are ready to address the human and environmental challenges of our time. CALS supports students who chart their own path through local engagement, entrepreneurial thinking, and applied research, to create healthy, resilient futures for people and planet.CALS offers dynamic programs in life sciences, human and animal sciences, and social sciences. Foci include nutrition and food science, agriculture and landscape design, plant biology, applied economics, communications, entrepreneurship, sustainable and resilient communities, and the complex web of food systems.While connected to agricultural education of the past, CALS programs address current and future issues that will affect Vermont, the nation, and the world. Enrolling nearly 1,400 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, and supported by ~120 faculty, the College's general fund budget is nearly $20 million.As part of the University of Vermont, the state's flagship research and land-grant institution, CALS is charged with integrating higher education, research, and Extension to address the needs of Vermont's citizens, communities, and organizations. This is accomplished with research conducted through the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and research-based education and internships provided by UVM Extension (EXT) faculty and staff. Both AES and EXT are housed within CALS.
Academic Programs
CALS is structured around six departments: Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment (formerly known as Plant & Soil Science); Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Community Development and Applied Economics; Nutrition and Food Sciences; Plant Biology; and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (which is shared with the Larner College of Medicine). It also includes two undergraduate interdisciplinary programs shared with other colleges: Biological Science, and Biochemistry. UVM was the first university in the country to offer a full complement of academic programs in Food Systems, from an undergraduate degree to a Ph.D. Undergraduates who major in this innovative, interdisciplinary program take classes in all six of the College's departments.CALS' diverse selection of majors (14), along with wide-ranging minors (20) and concentrations (18), appeals to a broad audience of students interested in agriculture, basic science, applied science, or linking applied work to the social sciences. There also is a Self-Designed Bachelor of Science major in which students are encouraged to explore a diverse range of CALS-related learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, including internships and independent studies aligned with their interests.CALS offers five doctoral programs and eight master's programs, in addition to cross-college interdisciplinary master's and doctoral programs in Food Systems. These include two professional Masters programs, Dietetics (MSD) and Public Administration (MPA).More information on academics in CALS can be found here: https://www.uvm.edu/cals/departments_and_programs
Research
CALS has a growing research portfolio, with approximately $40 million in sponsored project funding in both 2022 and 2023. In 2019, the College was selected to lead a partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). This designation as an ARS Center positions the College to lead exciting new research opportunities with researchers from the USDA.The largest source of outside research funding is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture/USDA, followed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/NIH; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; and the National Science Foundation. Capacity-building grants, including Hatch from the USDA and Smith-Lever, along with grants from the Renewable Resources Extension Act Program (RREA), and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), are also important funding sources.CALS maintains a number of off-campus research facilities that provide important resources to support faculty research and student research. There are four key agricultural facilities, including two sites of historical significance to both the University and the state:
· Proctor Maple Research Center: This is a 197-acre Field Research Station for the Department of Plant Biology. Vermont is the country's largest producer of maple syrup, and Proctor has been a national leader since the early 1890s in cutting-edge maple research and technology. Research emphasizes the sugar maple tree and its products (sap and syrup), including techniques for efficient sap collection and evaporation systems to improve maple syrup quality. The Proctor Center's two major stands of sugar maple trees and a modern sugarhouse serve as a field classroom for students, scientists, and maple producers.
· Morgan Horse Farm:The University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm has been a proud steward of the U.S. Government Morgan Horse bloodline since 1951, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture first bestowed the farm to the State of Vermont, which in turn entrusted it to the University. Since then, this 200-acre farm has raised over 850 UVM Morgans, educated over 220 student apprentices, and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Weybridge, Vermont campus.
· Paul R. Miller Research and Educational Center (MREC) and Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center: Serving as a research site for UVM's Animal and Veterinary Sciences programs, the MREC supports a herd of more than 100 dairy animals plus 22 horses and 150 acres of farmland. In addition to dairy and equine science, research priorities at the site include biosecurity and safety. Students assume leadership roles in many activities, most notably the CREAM (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management) Program, a two- semester experiential learning program open to students across the University in which participants manage the dairy herd and learn about the scientific and business sides of farm operations. The Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center is run as a student cooperative and provides state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor riding facilities, access to a riding trail, and stalls for 22 horses. It is also an academic laboratory hosting numerous hands-on equine-focused courses.
· The University of Vermont Horticultural Research and Education Center (HREC): HREC is home to UVM's Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment programs, supporting research, teaching, and outreach activities regarding the production of Northern apples, grapes, forage, and grain, as well as pest management. The facility is a repository of ornamental plant species of interest to the horticulture industry. The Catamount Educational Farm was launched as part of the HREC in 2014 to provide opportunities for research on long-term soil fertility, crop planning, and sustainable agriculture. The Center grows over 50 varieties of apples and produces other fruits and vegetables for nearly 100 shares of Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs). Students manage many of the activities at the facility as a part of their education in farm operations.
Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station
The Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station (VT-AES), created in 1886, is a state/federal partnership designed to address Vermont's agricultural issues through research. Currently led by Director Eric von Wettberg, VT-AES is comprised of approximately 40 faculty researchers across the CALS academic departments.With many contemporary threats, agriculture and communities must be resilient and sustainable. This is the focus of VT-AES research. In FY23, Hatch and Hatch Multistate projects addressed agricultural viability, animal and human health, and food-systems, community systems, and eco-systems. The impact of climate change is embedded across VT-AES projects. For example, resilience of the environment is covered by projects addressing soil health, carbon sequestration and forest health, renewable energy, composting, water quality and crop diversity. Projects also address threats to the environment and agriculture posed by invasive pests, plants, and disease.Dairy and maple are part of the Vermont story, but not all of it. In addition to these Vermont agricultural mainstays, VT-AES researchers are exploring novel and transitional crops such as hemp, saffron, perennial grains, and grapes, as well as broader seed systems and informal markets.
UVM Extension
UVM Extension, led by Associate Dean and Director Roy Beckford, is a team of approximately 119 permanent and 48 temporary employees - administrative staff, professors, researchers, and outreach educators - as well as hundreds of volunteers located throughout the state. Facilities include 11 field offices, a state office, one research farm, and an agricultural engineering lab. UVM Extension maintains an impressive portfolio of grants and contracts, comprising roughly 70% of its annual budget.In the past year, UVM Extension educators directly engaged 34,905 community members through 840 evidence-based programs, delivering 4,741 hours of education. Thousands more received educational information through on-farm technical assistance, individualized consultation, and published and virtual content. Extension's highly successful 4-H and other youth development programs provided educational opportunities to more than 9,000 young people through experiential learning and community service in the areas of Science, Health and Civic Engagement. Extension's outreach initiatives empower residents with knowledge and resources, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience across Vermont.The impact of these efforts is multifaceted. Currently, UVM Extension enhances the capabilities of local businesses and farmers, contributing to a robust economy while promoting sustainable practices that protect Vermont's unique landscapes. Looking to the future, the collaborative endeavors between extension professionals and communities will continually yield long-term socio-economic benefits. As the state grapples with climate change, food security, and planetary and public health issues, UVM Extension is poised to lead in research-driven solutions. This proactive engagement not only reaffirms the university's commitment to serving the public but also positions Vermont as a national model for community/university partnerships. Ultimately, UVM Extension is transforming lives today while laying the groundwork for a sustainable tomorrow. Visit UVM Extension's website to learn more.
Other Centers that deserve explicit mention:
· Center for Rural Studies: The Center for Rural Studies (CRS) is a nonprofit, fee-for-service research and resource center that works with people and communities to address social, economic, and resource-based challenges.
· Center for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) (Extension): The Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Vermont advances sustainable food and farming systems in Vermont and beyond.
· Entomology Research Laboratory: The Entomology Research Laboratory is committed to the development of effective biological control agents for forest, greenhouse, and vegetable insect pest management with an interdisciplinary approach.
· Food Systems Research Center (FSRC): A partnership between UVM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) the FSRC's transdisciplinary approach prioritizes research that studies food systems, including the networks of people, institutions, physical infrastructure, and natural resources through which food is grown, processed, distributed, sold, prepared, and eaten.
· Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS) (Extension): NECAFS is one of four USDA-funded regional centers tasked with coordinating training, education, and outreach related to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and the FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule.
· Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NE-SARE): The NE-SARE Program offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region.
· Pringle Herbarium: A renowned botanical collection established in 1902, the Pringle Herbarium houses over 360,000 sheets of mounted plants and fungi and is the second largest herbarium in New England.
· The Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC): SHREC is a cross-disciplinary research hub focused on integrative soil health, offering comprehensive testing services to address stakeholder and researcher needs.
· Vermont Tourism Research Center (VTRC): Directed by UVM Extension faculty, the VTRC is the only research center in the state focusing on tourism and recreation.
Faculty
CALS is driven by its ~120 collegial and engaged faculty who fully embrace UVM's teacher-scholar model. Faculty are engaged in research ranging from molecular biology to global environmental policy. CALS faculty collaborate locally and internationally on the challenges humanity must tackle, from food waste to community cohesion, from water scarcity to cancer prevention. Faculty projects cross-pollinate amongst CALS colleagues, and faculty involve students through classes, internships, and research experiences in their efforts to identify solutions for these challenges. Social scientists and complex systems experts collaborate with epidemiologists to understand farmer bio-security implementation. Food systems researchers work with food scientists to pioneer climate-resilient menus and sustainable cooking methods. Faculty lead internship experiences and service-learning courses that engage students in local projects provide an opportunity to work directly with community partners. Ecological Landscape Design faculty anchor their coursework within current communities' challenges so that their students learn theories of community-centered planning and how to create for a future with imperatives such as flood mitigation. Vermont is a small state, and the ways the CALS faculty implement its land-grant mission has a proportionally oversized impact on both the communities and the environment of the state.Beyond Vermont, CALS faculty have garnered national and international successes that continue to enhance the CALS' research portfolio. Some recent high-profile faculty collaborations include work with Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government's Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security group, United Nations Conferences on Climate Change and Water Resources, and USAID Feed the Future Innovation Labs.
Staff
Staff are critical to university operations across campus and are the backbone of many programs in CALS. CALS employs over 160 staff across its academic departments, educational and research farms and facilities, and UVM Extension. Staff job duties include administrative support, student advising and support, research, and outreach. Additionally, UVM Extension staff lead programs, write grant proposals, secure other financial support, develop and deliver educational content, provide technical assistance, and more. Program staff, like their faculty colleagues, serve on state councils, committees, and are often asked to represent UVM and their content expertise in ways that matter, such as testifying at the State House. The work of Extension program staff is key to supporting critical issues of Vermont and those of the federal government per the university's Land Grant mission.
Students
With a dedicated faculty and a well-rounded and innovative curriculum, CALS taps into the growing interest in careers that address the complex issues confronting society, human health, and the environment. Enrollments have grown about 8 percent over the past five years. The current 2024 undergraduate class is the largest in CALS history. Total enrollment includes 1,389 undergraduate and 179 graduate students, including 89 master's, 85 PhD, and 5 certificate students. An additional 16 graduate students are affiliated with the cross-college interdisciplinary Food Systems graduate programs, to which CALS contributes faculty mentors and a significant portion of the curriculum.Some points of note:* More than 90 percent of students participate in one or more experiences outside the classroom through research, service learning, and internships.* Students complete approximately 40,000 hours of internship work a year, including the CREAM program, UVM's student-run working dairy farm on campus.* 91 percent of CALS' undergraduate alumni are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.* 90 percent of Dietetics students are accepted into internship programs; the national average is 50 percent.* Over 90 percent of Animal Science students who apply to vet school are accepted.* Over 80 percent of undergraduates from the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics enter medical school, graduate health research, or other health professions.* The MPA program in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, a top 100 ranked program, is Vermont's only NASPAA-accredited master's degree program in public and nonprofit policy, affairs, and administration.* Graduates of CALS master's and PhD programs go on to work in academia, in the private and nonprofit sectors, and serve at all levels of government across the Green Mountain State.The College has a strong first-year retention rate of 89 percent. Transfer students also make up a large and important part of the CALS student body. Because of the broad range of disciplines under the CALS umbrella, the College affords tremendous opportunities for academic discovery for students at various stages of their academic careers
Roles of the Dean of CALS
As a member of the University of Vermont's senior leadership team, the CALS Dean reports to the Provost and is appointed by and works closely with the President. As Chief Academic Officer of CALS, the Dean is responsible for ensuring and promoting excellence in academics, research, and engagement consistent with the College's land-grant mission; for providing positive and proactive leadership and vision representing multiple diverse sectors; for developing and supporting faculty, staff, and students; and for enhancing the College's financial position. A strong leadership team reports to the Dean, including six department Chairs, four Associate Deans (including the Director of UVM Extension), an Assistant Dean, and a talented administrative staff.The College has the support of a 10-member, Dean-appointed Advisory Board, which includes representatives from diverse backgrounds in agriculture and the life sciences, including industry, government, the CALS student body, and local Vermont communities. With twice-yearly meetings, this Board helps the Dean and the CALS community with topics of relevance in the field, including future trends in agriculture and life sciences.
Reporting RelationshipsReports to: ProvostPartners with:
Deans of other UVM Colleges and Schools Provost's Operational Management TeamDirect Reports:
Dean's Assistant Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Services Associate Dean for Research and Postgraduate Education Associate Dean of Faculty and Curricular Affairs Associate Dean and Director of UVM Extension Assistant Dean of Human Resources and Business Operations Senior Project Manager for Strategic Initiatives Director of Strategic Communications Director of Major Gifts Director of the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station
Relates to: President's Cabinet Deans' Council Foundation Board Members Alumni CALS Board of Advisors Student Advisory Board
Key Opportunities and ChallengesThe transition to new leadership in the College represents an opportune time for the new Dean to capitalize on key opportunities. A few of these are highlighted below.Establish educational programs that span the traditional to non-traditional student, capitalizing on the interdisciplinary and diverse activity within the College and across the UniversityCALS is looking for an innovative and entrepreneurial leader who can expand the College's degree and non-degree portfolio beyond its existing academic curriculum.CALS' breadth also positions it to play a leading role in developing programs that address relevant contemporary interests regionally, nationally, and internationally, such as Planetary Health, Climate Smart Agriculture, Sustainable Development and Food Security. The Dean will play a key role in helping to vet the merits of each, build support for the most promising new ideas, and lead the analysis of existing programs to evaluate their long-term sustainability.Further, collaboration between CALS and other colleges has never been greater. The new Dean will be well-positioned to enhance existing inter-college programs and to identify new areas for synergistic activity, particularly in the areas of health, the environment, and sustainability including the University focus on Planetary Health.Develop and communicate a well-articulated identity for the CollegeAn important role of the new Dean will be to continue to make the case for Vermont as an ideal land-grant living laboratory for agriculture and life sciences of the future. In an increasingly competitive environment, success in this effort will help to ensure CALS' ability to sustain enrollment and enhance its capacity for innovation, research, and impact across the state, region, and nation.Lead and champion advancement efforts for the CollegeThe Dean must be a persuasive advocate for CALS with alumni, industry leaders, foundations, and a range of existing and potential donors to broaden and deepen the College's fundraising success. Working closely with the CALS' development officer and the UVM Foundation, the Dean will be expected to make a compelling case to expand scholarship support for students, grow the number of endowed professorships, increase research support and research partnerships, and support a range of experiential learning opportunities for students.Prioritize UVM Extension within their leadership agendaThe Dean will develop strategies for fostering collaboration between faculty researchers, Extension faculty and professionals, and local stakeholders. This requires an understanding of the multifaceted programming Extension offers, such as educational workshops, technical resources, and community engagement initiatives that support farmers, agribusinesses, environment, and community. The Dean will also recognize and build on the opportunities that exist for student recruitment through 4-H. The Dean should demonstrate an awareness of contemporary challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including climate change, food security, and planetary and public health. By prioritizing Extension within their leadership agenda, the Dean can champion interdisciplinary partnerships that enhance the College's outreach efforts. In doing so, they will not only elevate the visibility of Extension within the Land Grant environment but also enrich the educational experience for students, ensuring that the College remains responsive to the evolving needs of the agricultural community, which in Vermont is significantly large.Ensure that the College continues to be a highly visible and invaluable resource at the state, regional, national, and international levelsThe Dean plays an important external role in representing the College with legislators, agencies, and other members of the State's and the Nation's agriculture and scientific communities. The Dean also plays an important role in supporting the increased integration of local, national and international research and policy concerns and goals across CALS. The successful candidate will need to leverage and invest in current facilities to increase outreach to the community and stakeholders, which could lead to additional revenue. Expanding the College's regional, national, and global reach, as part of its land-grant heritage, is a priority for the University and the future of the College.Further promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive College communityCALS is committed to increasing the diversity of its students, staff and faculty. Vermont's population is one of the least diverse and among the oldest in the nation. The University has made concerted efforts, however, to diversify the UVM campus and the incoming Dean must be committed to these endeavors. The next Dean will exercise critical leadership in furthering efforts to recruit, develop, support, and retain diverse faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students while at the same time continuing to improve the intercultural competence of its community. This can be achieved through further implementation of CALS' Inclusive Excellence Action Plan and supporting the work of the CALS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
The Successful Candidate
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences seeks in its Dean a dynamic leader with the ability to envision and implement creative strategies that will ensure the increased prominence of the College and an enhanced ability to positively impact the future of the state, the nation, and the world by addressing critical and perplexing issues facing society, while also preparing future leaders in agriculture and the life sciences. The ideal candidate will bring the following personal and professional qualifications:· Ph.D. or equivalent credentials and experience in a relevant academic discipline with the rank of full professor and eligibility for tenure.· A proven commitment to the roles and mission of a land-grant institution, and an ability to articulate and implement a clear vision to further enhance the reputation and impact of CALS in the short- and long-term.· An awareness of contemporary challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including climate change, food security, and public health, and an understanding of how to leverage the fundamental and applied research of CALS faculty and the expertise of UVM Extension to develop solutions to these problems. · Meaningful collaboration and interpersonal skills, including the ability to identify and respond to concerns, that facilitate and motivate a healthy workplace culture.· A proven commitment to promoting diversity and inclusive excellence, looking to the root causes of obstacles and doing their best to address them from their position as Dean.· An entrepreneurial mindset with experience launching new and innovative programs and ensuring program sustainability by obtaining institutional grant funding and generating philanthropic support from alumni, other external stakeholders, and/or innovative revenue-generating programs.· A demonstrated ability to engage effectively with partners inside and outside the University to build and strengthen collaborations that promote individual and planetary health, and sustainability across the food system.· A proven track record of effective and resourceful management of personnel, facilities, and large, complex budgets, including the willingness to make hard choices after careful consideration of all available information.· An appreciation of the importance of investing resources in faculty development with the goal of enhancing teaching excellence.Procedure for Candidacy Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Candidates should provide (1) a letter of application addressing the central themes described in this leadership profile,including: Teaching, Research, Leadership Experience and Approach, Future Opportunities for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, (2) a professional CV, (3) the names and contact information for three references, and (4) a separate statement onhow, as Dean, you would enhance the impact of Our Common Ground Values, advance diversity and inclusive excellence at UVM, and among the populations we serve. References will only be contacted with prior notice to the candidate. Applications should be submitted through the university's online recruitment site: https://www.uvmjobs.com. Nominations and inquiries should be sent to Peter.Newman@uvm.edu and Crispina.Pincus@uvm.edu. Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2024, and will continue until an offer is made. Applications received by December 14, 2024, will receive priority consideration. Employment is subject to a successful background check.Compensation is competitive, will be commensurate with both experience and achievement, and include a highly competitive array of benefits.The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law.

Job Open Date:

11/07/2024

Posting Number:

F3247PO

Department:

CALS Dean's Office/51000

Advertising/Posting Title:

Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

FLSA:

Exempt

Position Number:

001016

Employee FTE:

1.00

Employee Term (months):

12

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