Inside Higher Ed
Dean, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
Inside Higher Ed, Storrs, Connecticut, United States
Dean, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
University of Connecticut
is a leading public research university ranked among the nation's best. The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR) seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Dean and Director of the Connecticut Cooperative Extension System and the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station. The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive resume of success in academic leadership roles and the ability to guide a research and educational enterprise across multiple campuses.
Over the past decade UConn has expanded its research, teaching, and outreach missions, enhancing student success and securing substantial research grants. As the chief executive officer of CAHNR, the Dean will set the standard of intellectual engagement and accomplishment for the College.
The Dean will provide strategic vision and operational leadership to all aspects of the academic and scholarly program, setting priorities for the College and guiding it toward strategic goals of enhancing scholarship, promoting research and outreach, and providing exceptional undergraduate and graduate education. The Dean will be the College’s chief advocate, promoting its goals and achievements, leading its development and fundraising activities, and speaking for its mission of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and Extension outreach. The Dean will also advance the scholarly activities of the faculty, including interdisciplinary opportunities, and serve as the College’s public voice at local, state, regional, national, and international levels.
Key Responsibilities
Provide visionary leadership for CAHNR’s academic departments, research centers, and extension programs, advancing excellence in teaching, research, and outreach across agriculture, health, and natural resources.
Steward CAHNR’s financial, human, and physical resources effectively, ensuring alignment with university priorities and supporting long‑term growth and impact.
Recruit, retain, and support an outstanding and diverse faculty, staff, and student body, fostering a climate of respect, collaboration, and inclusivity.
Strengthen student recruitment, retention, and graduation outcomes by building pathways from K‑12 and community colleges and ensuring high‑quality, innovative undergraduate and graduate programs.
Elevate CAHNR’s national and global reputation by highlighting its distinct strengths in food systems, health, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
Advance interdisciplinary initiatives with other UConn schools, colleges, and partners that address complex challenges in agriculture, health, and natural resources.
Cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, industry, community organizations, and government agencies to support CAHNR’s mission and expand fundraising and partnership opportunities.
Serve as a visible advocate for CAHNR within UConn and beyond, communicating the College’s contributions to the university’s land-grant mission of education, research, and service to the state, nation, and world.
Minimum Qualifications
Credentials that merit appointment at the rank of tenured Professor or a current appointment at UConn at the rank of Professor in one of CAHNR’s academic departments, including a doctoral degree or other terminal degree in a field relevant to leadership in academic affairs.
Progressively responsible leadership experience at a higher education institution, demonstrating knowledge of core management functions, experience with strategic priorities, and understanding of university policies and procedures.
Success in building and executing a strategic and fiscally‑sound academic budget.
Solid track record in meeting a university mission with respect to enrollment, graduation, research, innovation, and fundraising.
Preferred Qualifications
Background and experience pertinent to the wide‑ranging programs of CAHNR, including a clear understanding of the academic vision of the University, the land‑grant and sea‑grant missions, and the College’s opportunities to deliver quality undergraduate, graduate, and extension education.
Demonstrated capability to support research and extension at the student and faculty levels, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and secure extramural funding from state, federal, or foundation sources.
Track record of nationally and globally recognized leadership in research and innovation, including membership in national academies.
Proven ability to recruit, retain, and support highly desirable research and instructional faculty and staff in a competitive environment, and to motivate and manage professional and support staff effectively.
A demonstrable track record of administrative leadership that includes managing complex budgets, allocating resources strategically, and aligning finances with mission and goals, while navigating the organizational and political realities of a major public research university.
Experience as an agent of innovation and change, with the ability to imagine new possibilities for CAHNR, develop and articulate a vision, translate strategy into operational goals, and lead implementation across a complex organization.
Strong business and political acumen, sound judgment, and skills in conflict resolution, consensus building, and effective advocacy for resources and priorities.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, including assessing needs, developing initiatives, and applying best practices to foster a supportive climate for all.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to develop, engage, and maintain constructive relationships with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
Demonstrated success in fundraising and advancement activities, including the ability to form and maintain partnerships with alumni, donors, industry, government, and community organizations to enhance visibility, impact, and revenue.
Experience with outreach and engagement, and the capacity to represent CAHNR articulately and compellingly to external constituencies, enhancing its visibility and impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Appointment Terms This is a full‑time, 12‑month, management‑exempt position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. The successful candidate may also be considered for a 9‑month, tenure‑track academic appointment in one of the University’s schools/colleges.
Application Information Preferred: Parker Executive Search is assisting the University of Connecticut in the search for the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. Applications are preferred submitted before January 13, 2026. Please submit applications directly to Parker Executive Search. For additional information, contact:
Porsha Williams, Vice President – Phone: (770) 804‑1996 ext. 111 – Email: pwilliams@parkersearch.com
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal – Email: janderson@parkersearch.com
Julia Butler‑Mayes, Ph.D., Associate – Email: jbutler-mayes@parkersearch.com
All applicants will have their application reviewed in accordance with the University of Connecticut’s Equal Employment Opportunity policies. The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer. Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment criminal background check and adherence to the State Code of Ethics. All applicants are encouraged to submit applications in a timely manner to be considered for this role.
All University of Connecticut employees are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
We look forward to your application.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
is a leading public research university ranked among the nation's best. The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR) seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Dean and Director of the Connecticut Cooperative Extension System and the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station. The ideal candidate will have a comprehensive resume of success in academic leadership roles and the ability to guide a research and educational enterprise across multiple campuses.
Over the past decade UConn has expanded its research, teaching, and outreach missions, enhancing student success and securing substantial research grants. As the chief executive officer of CAHNR, the Dean will set the standard of intellectual engagement and accomplishment for the College.
The Dean will provide strategic vision and operational leadership to all aspects of the academic and scholarly program, setting priorities for the College and guiding it toward strategic goals of enhancing scholarship, promoting research and outreach, and providing exceptional undergraduate and graduate education. The Dean will be the College’s chief advocate, promoting its goals and achievements, leading its development and fundraising activities, and speaking for its mission of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and Extension outreach. The Dean will also advance the scholarly activities of the faculty, including interdisciplinary opportunities, and serve as the College’s public voice at local, state, regional, national, and international levels.
Key Responsibilities
Provide visionary leadership for CAHNR’s academic departments, research centers, and extension programs, advancing excellence in teaching, research, and outreach across agriculture, health, and natural resources.
Steward CAHNR’s financial, human, and physical resources effectively, ensuring alignment with university priorities and supporting long‑term growth and impact.
Recruit, retain, and support an outstanding and diverse faculty, staff, and student body, fostering a climate of respect, collaboration, and inclusivity.
Strengthen student recruitment, retention, and graduation outcomes by building pathways from K‑12 and community colleges and ensuring high‑quality, innovative undergraduate and graduate programs.
Elevate CAHNR’s national and global reputation by highlighting its distinct strengths in food systems, health, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
Advance interdisciplinary initiatives with other UConn schools, colleges, and partners that address complex challenges in agriculture, health, and natural resources.
Cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, industry, community organizations, and government agencies to support CAHNR’s mission and expand fundraising and partnership opportunities.
Serve as a visible advocate for CAHNR within UConn and beyond, communicating the College’s contributions to the university’s land-grant mission of education, research, and service to the state, nation, and world.
Minimum Qualifications
Credentials that merit appointment at the rank of tenured Professor or a current appointment at UConn at the rank of Professor in one of CAHNR’s academic departments, including a doctoral degree or other terminal degree in a field relevant to leadership in academic affairs.
Progressively responsible leadership experience at a higher education institution, demonstrating knowledge of core management functions, experience with strategic priorities, and understanding of university policies and procedures.
Success in building and executing a strategic and fiscally‑sound academic budget.
Solid track record in meeting a university mission with respect to enrollment, graduation, research, innovation, and fundraising.
Preferred Qualifications
Background and experience pertinent to the wide‑ranging programs of CAHNR, including a clear understanding of the academic vision of the University, the land‑grant and sea‑grant missions, and the College’s opportunities to deliver quality undergraduate, graduate, and extension education.
Demonstrated capability to support research and extension at the student and faculty levels, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and secure extramural funding from state, federal, or foundation sources.
Track record of nationally and globally recognized leadership in research and innovation, including membership in national academies.
Proven ability to recruit, retain, and support highly desirable research and instructional faculty and staff in a competitive environment, and to motivate and manage professional and support staff effectively.
A demonstrable track record of administrative leadership that includes managing complex budgets, allocating resources strategically, and aligning finances with mission and goals, while navigating the organizational and political realities of a major public research university.
Experience as an agent of innovation and change, with the ability to imagine new possibilities for CAHNR, develop and articulate a vision, translate strategy into operational goals, and lead implementation across a complex organization.
Strong business and political acumen, sound judgment, and skills in conflict resolution, consensus building, and effective advocacy for resources and priorities.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, including assessing needs, developing initiatives, and applying best practices to foster a supportive climate for all.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to develop, engage, and maintain constructive relationships with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
Demonstrated success in fundraising and advancement activities, including the ability to form and maintain partnerships with alumni, donors, industry, government, and community organizations to enhance visibility, impact, and revenue.
Experience with outreach and engagement, and the capacity to represent CAHNR articulately and compellingly to external constituencies, enhancing its visibility and impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Appointment Terms This is a full‑time, 12‑month, management‑exempt position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. The successful candidate may also be considered for a 9‑month, tenure‑track academic appointment in one of the University’s schools/colleges.
Application Information Preferred: Parker Executive Search is assisting the University of Connecticut in the search for the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. Applications are preferred submitted before January 13, 2026. Please submit applications directly to Parker Executive Search. For additional information, contact:
Porsha Williams, Vice President – Phone: (770) 804‑1996 ext. 111 – Email: pwilliams@parkersearch.com
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal – Email: janderson@parkersearch.com
Julia Butler‑Mayes, Ph.D., Associate – Email: jbutler-mayes@parkersearch.com
All applicants will have their application reviewed in accordance with the University of Connecticut’s Equal Employment Opportunity policies. The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer. Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment criminal background check and adherence to the State Code of Ethics. All applicants are encouraged to submit applications in a timely manner to be considered for this role.
All University of Connecticut employees are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
We look forward to your application.
#J-18808-Ljbffr