Job Details

Overview

The University of Connecticut (UConn), one of the nation's leading public research universities, seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the Dean of its College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and Director of the Connecticut Cooperative Extension System and the Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station. UConn seeks candidates who have a comprehensive resume of success in academic leadership roles and who can demonstrate exceptional skills and experience that will enable them to lead a research and educational enterprise across multiple campuses. For the past decade, UConn has expanded its research, teaching, and outreach mission, and today it is ranked among the top public research universities nationwide. As the chief executive officer of CAHNR, the Dean will set the standard of intellectual engagement and accomplishment for the College.

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 and the College. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience at a higher education institution, demonstrating knowledge of core management functions, straightforward experience with managing strategic priorities, and understanding and embracing University policies, guidance, best practices, 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 be considered for a 9‑month, tenure‑track academic appointment in one of the University's schools/colleges. This is a full‑time position that will be performed on‑site in Connecticut. Salary commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.

Application Information

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 assisting the University. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made, but it is preferred that all nominations and applications be submitted before January 13, 2026. Please submit applications directly to Parker Executive Search. For additional information, please contact:
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Julia Butler‑Mayes, Ph.D., Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 804‑1996 ext.: 111
...@parkersearch.com || ...@parkersearch.com || jbutler‑...@parkersearch.com

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.