Eldon Gideon Dean of Agriculture

Kansas State University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to advance the missions of the College of Agriculture by serving as the next Eldon Gideon Dean.

  • 520565
  • Manhattan, Kansas
  • Ag Deans Office & Dir AES
  • Executive
  • Closing on: Nov 24 2025
  • On-site

About This Role

Kansas State University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to advance the missions of the College of Agriculture by serving as the next Eldon Gideon Dean. 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 is expected 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 advance the College’s Next-Gen K-State Strategic Plan.

As an institutional leader, the Dean will be highly involved in developing University-wide strategies for increasing interdisciplinary research, building external partnerships, and promoting outreach efforts that engage the University in responding to statewide, national, and international issues.
 
Unique opportunities for the new Dean include:
 
  • Utilizing the new Agricultural Innovation Initiative, a $220 million construction project scheduled to be completed by fall of 2026, which includes the construction of three new buildings: the Agronomy Research and Innovation Center, the Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation, and the Bilbrey Family Event Center
  • Partnering with the University’s Executive Vice President for External Engagement and Chief of Staff, Marshall Stewart, in enhancing an environment that promotes community-engaged scholarship and delivers innovative and relevant education through extension to the residents in the state’s 105 counties
  • Building on and expanding partnerships with community colleges and other 4-year institutions to expand agricultural education;
  • Expanding and strengthening existing partnerships between the Manhattan and Olathe campuses in urban food systems and the Food as Medicine initiative
  • Leveraging K-State’s new research foundation infrastructure and architecture to expand university-industry collaborations, partnerships and licensing

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

About Us

At K-State, passion drives our purpose. Our faculty and staff are deeply committed to the meaningful impact of their work, collectively shaping the future of our next-generation land-grant university. Every employee plays a vital role in advancing our mission, touching the lives of Kansans and communities worldwide. Through our research, teaching, and service, we strive to create positive change and realize K-State's vision of becoming a leading land-grant institution.

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 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 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 November 24, 2025. Candidates should provide a letter of application describing their interest and qualifications for the position, current vita, a one-page leadership statement, and five references. References will not be contacted without permission. 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 November 24, 2025

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

Commensurate with experience

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Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization: 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.