Position Announcement

Dean, College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences Dean Search

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences (CALPS). The Dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of the CALPS and reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The successful candidate is expected to offer strategic leadership, a focus on innovation, and a vision for the future that will inspire the faculty, students, and staff to greater academic excellence.

CALPS offers innovative academic programming and engages in wide-ranging federally funded research. The College’s teaching, research, and outreach missions are supported by University Farms and comprehensive research and laboratory facilities. Through the Schools of Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences, Earth Systems and Sustainability, Forestry and Horticulture, Physics and Applied Physics, and Illinois Soybean Center, CALPS offers a diverse academic curriculum for over 1400 students in undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Academic offerings support students with wide-ranging interests in agricultural sciences, life sciences, physical sciences and pre-health professional training. Additional information is available at https://calps.siu.edu/.

Nestled in the beautiful hills of Southern Illinois, SIU is a Research University: High Research Activity (R2) and a 2015 Community Engagement Campus, as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. With an enrollment of approximately 11,500 students from throughout the Nation and the world, SIU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight colleges/schools, as well as professional practice degrees in the Schools of Medicine and Law. SIU embraces a unique tradition of access and opportunity, inclusive excellence, innovation in research and creativity, and outstanding teaching and services focused on student success. The University is committed to a mission of successfully educating and graduating a diverse student population including minority, international, first-generation students, and differently abled students.

Carbondale, IL, is located in a region characterized by its natural beauty due to the Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park, and other outdoor opportunities. The city is a hub for the region yet maintains a small town feel with college town amenities. It is also easily accessible to a host of midwestern (e.g., St. Louis, Indianapolis) and southern (e.g., Nashville, Memphis) cities within a 2–4-hour drive. The local airport offers a connection to Chicago’s O'Hare airport.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dean's primary roles are centered around academic and development matters:

provide visionary leadership for the College in the spirit of shared governance; enhance and support quality academic undergraduate and graduate programs and research activities and related infrastructure, lead strategic planning, budgeting and continuous program improvement initiatives, support a culture of degree completion and career placement through coordinated student recruitment, advisement, service and retention efforts, provide leadership in the areas of faculty and staff recruitment, retention and professional development, maintain, grow and develop programs that enhance college resources, enhance program and college resources through fundraising (SIU Foundation  http://www.siuf.org ), serve as an officer of the University with a commitment to the goals and aspirations of SIU, as set forth under the leadership of the Chancellor and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, represent the College's interests and perspectives while serving as official spokesperson between the College and other units within the University and community, allocate resources in the most effective way that supports academic excellence, conduct the affairs of the College in accordance with all relevant statutes, directives, bylaws, operating papers, contracts, policies and procedures, and foster a commitment to diversity and an environment that advances the Institution's policies on inclusive excellence and intolerance of discrimination.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate must possess:

• an earned terminal degree in an appropriate discipline for the College; a distinguished record of teaching, an outstanding record of peer-reviewed publication, an extensive record of success in securing external funding, substantial professional service consistent with appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure at a doctoral research-extensive university; demonstrated leadership experience in higher education administration at the level of school director or other academic leadership position of similar responsibility; experience in budget development and implementation, faculty engagement for planning purposes, management of personnel, review of tenure and promotion applications and experience with program assessment and review;

experience in fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and developing new collaborative partners. 

Applicants must also demonstrate excellent organizational and communication skills; the ability to effectively articulate the CALPS’s and SIU's missions to students, faculty, staff, alums, external constituencies, funding agencies, industry partners and other decision-making bodies; and a commitment to ethical and high standards in education, cultural diversity and equal opportunity.

Application Information:

The position is available January 1, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately following the application deadline of August 1, 2024. Applications must include a letter of interest addressing the specific qualifications listed herein, a current curriculum vitae and the names, titles, relationships and contact information (phone numbers and email addresses) for five, professional references.

To apply please visit: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/siu/jobs/4534323/dean-college-of-agricultural-life-and-physical-sciences?keywords=dean&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

This is a security-sensitive position. Before any offer of employment is made, the University will conduct a pre-employment background investigation that includes a criminal background check.

SIU Carbondale, member of the SIU Systems, is an anti-racist community that opposes racism, discrimination and inequity in any form, and embraces diversity, inclusion, equity and justice of all people
SIU Carbondale is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans that strives to enhance its ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a diverse student population. All applications are welcomed and encouraged and will receive consideration.