Dean - Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture

SUMMARY

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Stephen F. Austin State University in its search for Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

For full consideration, please apply by May 20, 2026.

Well resourced, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is entering a new phase of growth, supported by a nearly completed $85 million facility, and a strong institutional commitment to its continued impact. SFA seeks a Dean to drive this evolution, strengthening culture, advancing high-potential programs, and building a more visible, industry-connected, and research-active college across forestry, agriculture, environmental science, and geospatial disciplines.

This opportunity comes at a critical moment. With enrollment growth, new institutional leadership, and major capital investment across campus, including the new Forestry and Agriculture complex and a $40 million entrepreneurship center designed to advance interdisciplinary collaboration, SFA is accelerating its commitment to impact. These investments are part of a broader campus master plan that includes more than $1 billion in facility enhancements over the next 15 years. As the only institution in The University of Texas System with a comprehensive forestry and agriculture portfolio, the College holds a highly visible, strategically important position. In this context, the Dean will be responsible for ensuring these programs drive enrollment, deepen industry engagement, and further distinguish SFA within the UT System.

This role offers the chance to accelerate an already solid foundation. Building on a decade of steady leadership, the College is stable and positioned to expand its impact. The next Dean will bring clarity, alignment, and momentum, advancing research, partnerships, and program visibility.

The College offers a rare combination of scale, resources, and applied infrastructure. It includes three departments: Forestry, Agriculture, and Environmental Science, supported by extensive land holdings, laboratory space, working agricultural operations, and strong ties to East Texas industries. With major capital investment nearing completion and an experienced leadership team in place, the focus now is to align efforts, sharpen priorities, and execute with discipline.

From this foundation, the Dean will inherit significant physical and programmatic assets, including farms, research operations, and established industry relationships, and will be expected to translate these strengths into measurable results: Expanding research activity, strengthening partnerships, modernizing faculty systems, and advancing a more cohesive and forward-looking academic culture.

The successful candidate will be an action-oriented academic leader with the judgment and credibility to move quickly while building trust across a long-tenured faculty environment. They will bring experience advancing applied, industry-connected research and developing external partnerships, particularly in sectors aligned with forestry, agriculture, and environmental science. Comfortable operating in a highly visible and expectation-rich environment, the Dean will combine strong interpersonal leadership with an external orientation toward fundraising, partnership development, and institutional advancement. This role is well suited to a leader motivated by building and elevating, rather than maintaining, and by the opportunity to position the College more prominently within both the University and the region.

To apply, please go to Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) to submit your application.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a full-time, twelve-month faculty position responsible for working with academic administrators and the academic council to provide responsible leadership within the college while also representing the college and university in administrative matters. Responsible for overseeing graduate and undergraduate education; promoting teaching, research, and other professional activities; facilitating planning and development of new programs; supervising the budget; and soliciting funds from external sources. The dean is an administrator; the quality of whose performance has fundamental impact on the success of the institution in attaining its specific goals. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Terminal degree in an academic discipline tenurable within the college is required.

Five years of administrative experience in academic administration, preferably at the academic unit head level or above, and qualifications for rank of professor with tenure in one of the disciplines of the college is required. Experience working to promote excellence in a variety of programs is required. Strong record of research and other scholarly achievements is required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Exercises leadership in budget preparation.
2. Establishes funding priorities.
3. Monitors budget execution within the college.
4. Coordinates fundraising activities.
5. Keeps academic administrators informed of issues related to their programs and faculty.
6. Oversees the process of hiring and evaluating faculty and staff.
7. Facilitates college policy development.
8. Advises the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs on matters affecting the instructional programs of the university.
9. Oversees degree plan preparation and qualification for graduation.
10. Facilitates program development, operation, and evaluation.
11. Supervises, counsels, and evaluates academic administrators, faculty, and staff.
12. Promotes excellence in faculty teaching, service, professional growth/development, and academic achievement.
13. Provides leadership for enhancing the visibility, enrollment, and resources of the college both on and off campus.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Makes recommendations on all personnel actions within the college.
2. Interprets policy and adjudicates appeals and exceptions.
3. Teaches in college, as time permits.
4. Participates in recruitment and retention activities, as appropriate.
5. Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, university policies and procedures.
2. Ability to be classified as professor in one of the disciplines within the college.
3. Ability to establish and maintain a good rapport with university faculty and staff, students, and the general public.
4. Ability to work collaboratively and build strategic relations with colleagues, coworkers, and constituents.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
6. Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions.
7. Ability to develop objectives, evaluate effectiveness, and assess needs.
8. Ability to manage a budget and work within the constraints of that budget.
9. Ability to solicit funds for the college and university.
10. Ability to develop, interpret, and evaluate policies and procedures.
11. Ability to supervise and train others.