New River Community College
Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences
New River Community College, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85718
Position Overview
The University of Arizona invites nominations and applications for the position of
Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES) , a pivotal opportunity for a visionary and strategic leader to guide one of the nation's leading and most innovative agricultural, life, and environmental sciences colleges into its next era of excellence and impact.
About CALES CALES is the heart of the University's land‑grant mission, integrating research, teaching, and statewide engagement across agriculture, natural resources, animal sciences, human ecology, biosciences, and environmental sciences. Its programs span fields from microbiology and biosystems engineering to nutrition, human development, and retailing, preparing students for careers in health, technology, conservation, and business through hands‑on learning and research. With more than 4,100 students, 327 faculty, and 800 staff across 10 academic units, CALES manages over $98 million in annual research activity and cooperates with Extension offices in all 15 Arizona counties and services for 22 federally recognized tribes. CALES also is the statewide network of 11 research centers and 150,000 acres of rangeland through the Arizona Experiment Station, delivering science‑based solutions that strengthen Arizona's communities, economies, and ecosystems while informing global strategies for resilience in arid environments and advancing human well‑being through equitable access to resources, opportunities, and evidence‑based policy.
Role and Responsibilities The dean will provide bold, future‑focused leadership to position CALES as a next‑generation land‑grant college that is deeply connected to communities statewide, nationally, and internationally. Key priorities include:
Articulating a compelling vision that inspires faculty, staff, students, and partners to new levels of academic excellence and public value.
Modernizing curricula to enhance student success.
Advancing interdisciplinary research and championing Cooperative Extension as a cornerstone of statewide impact.
Implementing the Academic Success Goals through intentional engagement with each department and school within the college while cultivating cross‑functional collaboration with deans, senior leaders, and the Provost to set a transformative standard for student success.
The dean reports to the provost and chief academic officer, oversees a $145 million budget, and serves as the public face of CALES. The role demands strategic vision, strong financial acumen, administrative and organizational leadership experience, and the ability to unify the college around shared purpose and innovation.
Candidate Qualifications The ideal candidate will embody the University of Arizona's land‑grant mission and commitment to serving the people of Arizona through teaching, research, extension, and community engagement. Requirements include a doctoral degree, a distinguished record of excellence in teaching, research, and service, and a tenured faculty appointment within CALES at the rank of full professor.
Application Process Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. Professional references are not requested at this time. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by
February 16, 2026 .
Application materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:
Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., Jessica Herrington, and Jess Cummings
at
UofADeanCALES@wittkieffer.com .
Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action (qualified veterans/people with disabilities) institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its programs and activities. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance.
As required by Title IX, the University of Arizona does not discriminate based on sex in its educational programs or activities, including in admission and employment.
Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education, Assistant Secretary, or both.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES) , a pivotal opportunity for a visionary and strategic leader to guide one of the nation's leading and most innovative agricultural, life, and environmental sciences colleges into its next era of excellence and impact.
About CALES CALES is the heart of the University's land‑grant mission, integrating research, teaching, and statewide engagement across agriculture, natural resources, animal sciences, human ecology, biosciences, and environmental sciences. Its programs span fields from microbiology and biosystems engineering to nutrition, human development, and retailing, preparing students for careers in health, technology, conservation, and business through hands‑on learning and research. With more than 4,100 students, 327 faculty, and 800 staff across 10 academic units, CALES manages over $98 million in annual research activity and cooperates with Extension offices in all 15 Arizona counties and services for 22 federally recognized tribes. CALES also is the statewide network of 11 research centers and 150,000 acres of rangeland through the Arizona Experiment Station, delivering science‑based solutions that strengthen Arizona's communities, economies, and ecosystems while informing global strategies for resilience in arid environments and advancing human well‑being through equitable access to resources, opportunities, and evidence‑based policy.
Role and Responsibilities The dean will provide bold, future‑focused leadership to position CALES as a next‑generation land‑grant college that is deeply connected to communities statewide, nationally, and internationally. Key priorities include:
Articulating a compelling vision that inspires faculty, staff, students, and partners to new levels of academic excellence and public value.
Modernizing curricula to enhance student success.
Advancing interdisciplinary research and championing Cooperative Extension as a cornerstone of statewide impact.
Implementing the Academic Success Goals through intentional engagement with each department and school within the college while cultivating cross‑functional collaboration with deans, senior leaders, and the Provost to set a transformative standard for student success.
The dean reports to the provost and chief academic officer, oversees a $145 million budget, and serves as the public face of CALES. The role demands strategic vision, strong financial acumen, administrative and organizational leadership experience, and the ability to unify the college around shared purpose and innovation.
Candidate Qualifications The ideal candidate will embody the University of Arizona's land‑grant mission and commitment to serving the people of Arizona through teaching, research, extension, and community engagement. Requirements include a doctoral degree, a distinguished record of excellence in teaching, research, and service, and a tenured faculty appointment within CALES at the rank of full professor.
Application Process Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. Professional references are not requested at this time. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by
February 16, 2026 .
Application materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:
Jen Meyers Pickard, Ph.D., Jessica Herrington, and Jess Cummings
at
UofADeanCALES@wittkieffer.com .
Equal Opportunity Statement The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action (qualified veterans/people with disabilities) institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its programs and activities. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance.
As required by Title IX, the University of Arizona does not discriminate based on sex in its educational programs or activities, including in admission and employment.
Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education, Assistant Secretary, or both.
#J-18808-Ljbffr