Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Science

The University of Arizona (U of A) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES). This is a pivotal opportunity for a visionary and strategic leader to guide one of the nation's leading and most innovative agriculture, life, and environmental sciences colleges into its next era of excellence and impact.

The next 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. In alignment with the University's strategic imperatives , key priorities for the next dean 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. This includes 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 and oversees a $145 million budget. This leader will serve as the public face of CALES, forging partnerships with industry, government, alumni, tribal communities, and other community stakeholders, and driving resource development through fundraising and advocacy. The role also requires a strong statewide presence, with regular engagement across county offices, tribal nations, and experiment stations to strengthen relationships and understand local needs firsthand. Success will require strategic vision, strong financial acumen, administrative and organizational leadership experience, and the ability to unify the college around shared purpose and innovation.

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.

To learn more about this role, the university, and the Tucson community, please visit our position profile, here.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Essential Duties:

The next dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental
Sciences will provide visionary leadership for a college that is central to the
University of Arizona's land-grant mission and deeply connected to communities
across the state. This is more than a chance to steward a strong legacy - it is
an opportunity to lead boldly and define the next era of agricultural,
environmental, and life sciences education at a flagship institution in the
Southwest, where science in arid environments, applied economics,
sustainability, and health and well-being inform solutions for a future
worldwide. Working closely with the provost, senior university leadership, and
a broad array of stakeholders, the next dean will engage with the following
opportunities and challenges:

Articulate and Advance a Compelling Vision for CALES

• The next dean will lead efforts to define and communicate a bold, forward-looking vision that positions CALES as a next-generation land grant college-one that integrates cutting-edge research, modernized curricula, and statewide engagement to advance innovations in arid-land agriculture, biotechnology, human wellness, natural resource stewardship, and the economic and social dimensions of sustainable communities. This vision must inspire faculty, staff, students, and external partners while aligning with the University's strategic priorities and leveraging CALES' unique strengths.

Shape Innovative Programs and Enhance Student Success

• As the next dean works in partnership with faculty and staff to create a compelling vision for CALES, it will be a timely moment to shape innovative programs, expand experiential and applied learning, and refocus academic offerings to meet evolving workforce, industry, and community needs. Additional critical priorities include curriculum renewal, fostering innovation in teaching, and bolstering support for both undergraduate and graduate student engagement and success. The dean will lead efforts to strengthen student recruitment pathways- particularly among rural and agricultural communities-and ensure that CALES graduates are prepared for leadership in a rapidly changing economy. A critical priority will be reversing the loss of Arizona students- particularly in production agriculture and applied fields-to out-of-state institutions by strengthening recruitment pathways, enhancing program visibility, and aligning degree programs with contemporary industry expectations.

Champion the Land-Grant Mission and Elevate Cooperative Extension

• Cooperative Extension is a cornerstone of CALES and a vital link to Arizona's communities. The next dean must embrace and advocate for Cooperative Extension's recently released strategic positioning framework that is grounded in needs identified by thousands of Arizonans and zeroes in on what matters most to the state: water, education, family well-being, drought resilience, and smart, efficient production agriculture. With the largest tribal extension program in the nation and a presence in all of Arizona's 15 counties, extension programs have been woven into communities statewide for over a century and Cooperative Extension is poised to shape what the next hundred years look like. The dean will play a critical role in strengthening the integration of research, teaching, and extension to ensure these pillars work synergistically to advance the mission of CALES and Cooperative Extension. The dean must also advocate for Extension's unique funding structure, strengthen relationships with county governments and tribal partners, and ensure that university policies account for the needs of faculty and staff whose work is embedded in communities statewide.

Generate New Resources and Serve as a Spokesperson for CALES

• The next dean will serve as the public face of CALES, building relationships with legislators, industry leaders, alumni, and community partners across Arizona and beyond, developing relationships that lead to transformative philanthropic investments. This role requires political acumen, exceptional communication skills, and a commitment to advocacy. By elevating CALES' profile nationally and internationally, the dean can attract new partnerships, research opportunities, and philanthropic support, reinforcing the college's reputation as a leader in addressing the challenges of the desert Southwest and the world. The next dean must be prepared to navigate challenging fiscal realities, pursue public-private partnerships, and work closely with state and federal stakeholders to secure the support needed to stabilize and grow essential programs.

Recruit, Develop, and Retain Exceptional Faculty, Staff, and Leaders

• The dean will be responsible for advocating for competitive salaries; ensuring that all faculty have the support necessary to excel in teaching, research, and applied practice; and strengthening faculty and staff mentorship programs. It will be imperative that the next dean foster a culture of collaboration, active listening, clarity in decision-making, professional growth, and valuing contributions from all members of the CALES community statewide. Creating an environment where people feel respected, supported, and inspired will be essential to advancing CALES' mission and retaining talent.

Advance CALES' Financial Health and Capacity

• The next dean will oversee a complex financial landscape and must advocate effectively within the university while pursuing creative strategies to secure resources. This includes strengthening philanthropic support, cultivating corporate partnerships, and expanding grant funding to advance research, teaching, and outreach. The ability to create a plan for facilities upgrades will be critical to support program growth and innovation. With a number of retirements pending, the dean will create a compelling need to rebuild tenure-track strength while supporting career-track faculty who are integral to delivering undergraduate instruction. By taking a proactive approach to financial sustainability and academic investment, the dean will play a critical role in positioning CALES for the future-modernizing infrastructure, expanding faculty excellence, and ensuring the college remains a leader in agriculture, life sciences, and environmental education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Vision and Strategic Planning
• Management
• Exemplary Communication
• Conflict Management
• Collaboration and Partnership
• Shared Governance
• Leadership
• Financial Acumen
• Fundraising and External Engagement

• A doctoral degree and a distinguished record of excellence in teaching, research, extension, and service are required for a tenured faculty appointment within the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences at the rank of full professor.
• Proven record as an academic leader- such as department head, associate dean, institute director, or other senior administration-with experience fostering collaboration, empowering teams, and championing faculty and staff across tenure-track and career-track roles.
• Experience managing complex budgets with transparency and strategic foresight; ability to navigate financial constraints while aligning resources with priorities.
• Proven ability to build and sustain strong external partnerships, expand donor bases beyond traditional sectors, and secure significant philanthropic support to advance the college's mission.