"Assistant/Associate Professor, Agricultural Education"

Job Details

The Agricultural Education and Communication Department in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, is seeking a full-time, academic year, tenure‐track Assistant/Associate Professor with an emphasis in Agricultural Education, starting August 17, 2026. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The primary responsibility of this appointment is to prepare future agricultural educators. This includes supervising teacher candidates during fieldwork and student teaching, and mentoring students in credential and graduate programs in agricultural education. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the next generation of agriculture teachers through direct instruction, supervision, advising, and support of senior projects and field-based learning experiences.

In addition to teacher preparation, the candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate instruction in agricultural communication, education, and leadership. Teaching responsibilities may include courses in areas such as digital and presentation skills, leadership development, current trends in California agriculture, and advanced graduate seminars in agricultural education. The successful candidate is expected to participate in scholarly activities (e.g., research, grant writing, publications, presentations) as part of their professional development and contribute to the goals of the department. The role also involves advising students, supporting co-curricular activities, and engaging with student organizations, while collaborating with colleagues and industry partners to ensure that academic programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of California’s agricultural industry.

Rank and salary commensurate with education and experience of the individual selected. Anticipated hiring ranges:

Assistant Professor: $90,948 - $105,156

Associate Professor: $105,492 - $114,720

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will hold an earned Ph.D. or Ed.D. in agricultural education, agricultural communication, agricultural leadership, or a closely related field, with at least three years of demonstrated success as a secondary teacher of agricultural education. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) may be considered but must provide proof that the doctorate was awarded prior to the start of the appointment. Candidates must demonstrate excellence in teaching, have experience in leadership development, and have a strong record of effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required

The ability to work productively as a team member and to collaborate across disciplines is essential, as is the capacity to engage effectively with students, colleagues, industry, government agencies, and the public. A demonstrated commitment to student-centered learning and teaching, as well as fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments is required. Consideration will be given to candidates with a record of teaching that would strengthen and expand current department initiatives.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with experience teaching in a university or community college setting will receive priority consideration.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Agricultural Education and Communication Department at Cal Poly has approximately160 undergraduate students in Agricultural Communication and 170 undergraduate students in Agricultural Science, 39 master’s degree candidates, and six full- time faculty who teach in the areas of agricultural teacher education, agricultural communications, and agricultural science.

HOW TO APPLY

Review begin date is December 1, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by December 1, 2025, for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach (1) cover letter, (2) resume/curriculum vitae, (3) unofficial transcripts of the highest degree, (4) goals and plans for research 5) Universal Student Success Statement (prompt below), and (6) at least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application.

Universal Student Success Statement^* - Cal Poly is a public, student-centered university that serves the diverse constituents of the state of California and has a strong emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to teaching and learning at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here.

Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide sealed official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration.

Inquiries can be directed to aged@calpoly.edu.