Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of KSRE

About This Role

Kansas State University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to advance the missions of the College and K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) by serving as the next Eldon Gideon Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of KSRE. The successful candidate must have the experience and vision to inspire, guide, and facilitate the College’s faculty and staff in the advancement of high-quality teaching, research, engagement, and extension while providing leadership that assures the integrity, excellence, relevance, and success of the College's multi-faceted programs. The Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President, Jesse Perez Mendez, and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Council and Deans Council.

This position is ideal for a cutting edge, learner-centric leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, strategic vision, and results-focused leadership. The next Dean will be required to grow the College’s excellence in teaching, research, extension, and engagement; promote a team-oriented leadership approach; drive further development and growth in enrollment, disciplines, and degrees; and cultivate internal and external partnerships to propel advancement of the College’s Next-Gen K-State Strategic Plan.

For more information about this opportunity, position expectations, and the local community view the executive profile. 

For information on how to apply or to submit nominations, please refer to the 'How to Apply' section.

About Us

As part of Kansas State University, a comprehensive R1, land-grant institution, the College of Agriculture is devoted to excellence in teaching, research, extension, and engagement. The College is fully committed to advancing the University’s land-grant mission and its vision to become a Next-Generation Land-Grant University.

Worksite Option

This position is on-site. 

What You'll Need to Succeed

Educational Requirements

• An earned doctorate in one of the disciplines represented in the College, or in a closely related field.

Required Competencies/Qualifications  

• A strong record of distinguished academic achievement in teaching, research, and/or extension which merits appointment as a tenured, full professor in one of the College's departments, with evidence of professional distinction and national or international recognition in their field.
• Demonstrated success as an innovative and strategic leader with the ability to plan, coordinate, articulate, and execute a strategic vision and initiatives while engaging others.
• Demonstrated success as a strategic and creative planner and as a relationship builder  with exceptional collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• A proven record as a successful administrator in higher education, with responsibility for guiding strategy, managing finances, evaluating personnel, motivating faculty and staff, acquiring and allocating resources, engaging external constituencies, and fostering inclusive teamwork to create collaborative relationships across varying groups.  
• Demonstrated success in fund development and external fundraising.
• A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to all aspects of the land-grant mission, including teaching, research, extension, and engagement.
• A recognition and appreciation for educational access and opportunities in a positive working environment. 

Preferred Competencies/Qualifications

• A proven ability to develop and implement successful interdisciplinary and/or international programs.
• A proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate transformational change and innovation initiatives, be adaptable with changing conditions, and comfortable with the ambiguity that accompanies a large public university.
• Firm grasp of the opportunities and advantages of a land-grant university with R1 status
• A firm grasp of the opportunities and advantages of a land-grant university with R1 status.
• A history of building, enhancing, and sustaining partnerships across a university, local communities, state, region, and nation.
• Understanding of and commitment to shared governance to achieve college and university-wide goals.

How to Apply

Buffkin / Baker is assisting K-State with this search. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, application materials should be received no later than March 7, 2025. Candidates should provide a letter of application describing their interest and qualifications for the position, current vita, and five references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Nominations and application materials should be sent electronically via email to Martin Baker and Chelsie Whitelock of Buffkin / Baker at ksudeanofag@buffkinbaker.com.

Screening of Applications Begins

For best consideration, apply by March 7th, 2024

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

Commensurate with experience