Macon group
Overview
Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications and nominations for the next
Chairperson of the Department of Horticulture
in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). One of the top ranked horticulture programs in North America, the Department is recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and extension. Faculty members bring a broad spectrum of expertise that spans interdisciplinary fields including breeding, genomics, developmental biology, physiology, metabolism, and molecular biology, and commodity-based specialty crop production such as fruit and vegetable crops, viticulture, floriculture, nursery crops, postharvest science, landscape design and ecology, and horticultural economics. The department fosters collaborations among faculty, students, and stakeholders to drive innovative, responsive initiatives serving Michigan’s agricultural sector and beyond. The new Chair will lead an interdisciplinary team of 33 faculty and 25 staff in a department offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as a two-year certificate through MSU’s Institute of Agricultural Technology. The undergraduate program enrolls 100–110 students in a B.S. degree with three concentrations and several minors. The graduate program—one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious in U.S. horticulture—hosts 30–35 students and is internationally recognized for training top research scientists, extension specialists, and horticultural industry leaders in the plant sciences. Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chair will provide cohesive leadership to advance the department, support and elevate senior faculty, mentor junior faculty, and serve as a strong representative of Horticulture within the university and nationally. With deep external engagement and strong ties to Michigan’s horticultural industries, the Chair will guide the department’s growth in alignment with industry needs and opportunities. Qualifications and Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring the vision and business acumen to serve as a primary liaison to external partners, fostering strategic collaborations and generating support for student success. The Department’s size, multi-disciplinary focus, and commitment to the land‑grant mission represent a substantial opportunity for a leader with the vision to broaden MSU’s impact across the Great Lakes region, the nation, and the globe. The position is a full-time, 12-month tenure-system appointment at the rank of full professor. Minimum Requirements: A Ph.D. in Horticulture or related discipline and eligibility for appointment at the rank of full professor. (a) Experience in administration of personnel, budgets, and programs; (b) demonstrated outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to lead a diverse community; (c) the ability to communicate effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, stakeholders, donors, and other groups; (d) demonstrates a commitment to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. For a full position description, please visit MSU Careers website at
careers.msu.edu posting #1085752 Applications, Inquiries and Nominations: Nominations, expressions of interest and questions about the Chairperson, Department of Horticulture opportunity are encouraged. Armington Recruiting LLC is pleased to assist Michigan State University with this search. Please direct inquiries to the Armington Recruiting Consultant listed below. Joy Yablonsky Senior Executive Search Consultant jyablonsky@armingtonrecruiting.com 215-934-1386 Review of Applications will begin immediately. For best consideration, applications should be submitted by November 30, 2025. The search will remain open until the position is filled. To apply , applicants must submit an application at
careers.msu.edu , posting #1085752, that includes: letter of interest that includes a vision statement and administrative philosophy for the department, an explanation of how your experience aligns with the role, and how you would contribute to our positive culture, fair access to resources, and creating a sense of belonging (five page maximum). complete curriculum vitae. Candidates selected for initial interviews will be asked to provide contact information for five references. Start date is negotiable. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
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Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications and nominations for the next
Chairperson of the Department of Horticulture
in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). One of the top ranked horticulture programs in North America, the Department is recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and extension. Faculty members bring a broad spectrum of expertise that spans interdisciplinary fields including breeding, genomics, developmental biology, physiology, metabolism, and molecular biology, and commodity-based specialty crop production such as fruit and vegetable crops, viticulture, floriculture, nursery crops, postharvest science, landscape design and ecology, and horticultural economics. The department fosters collaborations among faculty, students, and stakeholders to drive innovative, responsive initiatives serving Michigan’s agricultural sector and beyond. The new Chair will lead an interdisciplinary team of 33 faculty and 25 staff in a department offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as a two-year certificate through MSU’s Institute of Agricultural Technology. The undergraduate program enrolls 100–110 students in a B.S. degree with three concentrations and several minors. The graduate program—one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious in U.S. horticulture—hosts 30–35 students and is internationally recognized for training top research scientists, extension specialists, and horticultural industry leaders in the plant sciences. Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chair will provide cohesive leadership to advance the department, support and elevate senior faculty, mentor junior faculty, and serve as a strong representative of Horticulture within the university and nationally. With deep external engagement and strong ties to Michigan’s horticultural industries, the Chair will guide the department’s growth in alignment with industry needs and opportunities. Qualifications and Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring the vision and business acumen to serve as a primary liaison to external partners, fostering strategic collaborations and generating support for student success. The Department’s size, multi-disciplinary focus, and commitment to the land‑grant mission represent a substantial opportunity for a leader with the vision to broaden MSU’s impact across the Great Lakes region, the nation, and the globe. The position is a full-time, 12-month tenure-system appointment at the rank of full professor. Minimum Requirements: A Ph.D. in Horticulture or related discipline and eligibility for appointment at the rank of full professor. (a) Experience in administration of personnel, budgets, and programs; (b) demonstrated outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to lead a diverse community; (c) the ability to communicate effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, stakeholders, donors, and other groups; (d) demonstrates a commitment to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. For a full position description, please visit MSU Careers website at
careers.msu.edu posting #1085752 Applications, Inquiries and Nominations: Nominations, expressions of interest and questions about the Chairperson, Department of Horticulture opportunity are encouraged. Armington Recruiting LLC is pleased to assist Michigan State University with this search. Please direct inquiries to the Armington Recruiting Consultant listed below. Joy Yablonsky Senior Executive Search Consultant jyablonsky@armingtonrecruiting.com 215-934-1386 Review of Applications will begin immediately. For best consideration, applications should be submitted by November 30, 2025. The search will remain open until the position is filled. To apply , applicants must submit an application at
careers.msu.edu , posting #1085752, that includes: letter of interest that includes a vision statement and administrative philosophy for the department, an explanation of how your experience aligns with the role, and how you would contribute to our positive culture, fair access to resources, and creating a sense of belonging (five page maximum). complete curriculum vitae. Candidates selected for initial interviews will be asked to provide contact information for five references. Start date is negotiable. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
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