Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. As part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, this role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a university that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth. Join us in advancing knowledge and transforming lives—on campus and beyond.

Tarleton State University continues to grow its impact across Texas, with four distinct campuses located in Stephenville, Fort Worth, RELLIS-Bryan and Waco, along with a robust online community that extends our reach even further. At the heart of it all is Stephenville, where Tarleton State offers a dynamic environment for faculty and staff. From a lively live music scene and numerous local festivals to rich traditions rooted in the surrounding community, Stephenville provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

Important Immigration Information: A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Tarleton State University will not pay this fee. Additionally, a moratorium on new H-1B filings in Texas, effective January 27, 2026, may impact employment sponsorship for candidates requiring visa status.

About the Role

The Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for the College’s academic departments, research programs, outreach initiatives, and resource management. The Dean advances a culture of student success, academic excellence, and applied learning while fostering a robust, innovative research environment aligned with Tarleton’s institutional goals, including the pursuit of R1 status. The Dean serves as the primary external representative for the College and plays a critical role in building partnerships with industry, agencies, alumni, and donors to enhance the College’s visibility and impact.

Responsibilities

• Encourages a culture of student success and academic excellence by emphasizing high academic standards, applied learning, excellent teaching, faculty and student scholarship, exemplary student support services, continuous quality improvement, and data-informed decision-making (25%).
• Fosters a robust research culture that supports faculty and student scholarship and creative activity. Facilitates and supports the development, submission, and management of externally funded grants and contracts by strengthening research infrastructure, removing barriers to proposal development, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in support of the university’s pursuit of R1 status (25%).
• Actively pursues and champions the development of industry and agency linkages to assist in curriculum development, career opportunities for graduates, and acquisition of resources for continuous development and improvement of the college (20%).
• Provides strong planning and management leadership, vision, and budget management to college programs, departments, centers, institutes, and personnel, emphasizing collegiality, integration, and collaboration (20%).
• Promotes compliance with all TAMUS Policies and Regulations, and all Tarleton Rules and Procedures (5%).
• Represents the college effectively both internally and externally (5%).
• Serves as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). Work hours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM or as work requirements indicate.

Requirements

• Earned terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a field housed in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Record of scholarship/creative activity, teaching, and service that supports appointment as a tenured full professor within the College.
• Demonstrated academic leadership experience in higher education (e.g., dean, associate dean, department chair/head, or comparable role).
• Demonstrated fiscal stewardship, including effective management of budgets, personnel, and other resources.
• Evidence of success securing extramural support (grants/contracts and/or philanthropic giving) and working collaboratively with alumni, donors, and state agency partners to advance College priorities.

Skills

• Ability to set direction and execute a strategic plan, with evidence of leading improvement and change.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain partnerships with external stakeholders that strengthen research, teaching, and outreach/engagement.
• Superior organizational leadership, supervising, and decision-making skills.