"Dean of the College of Science and Technology"

Job Details

DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

Florida A&M University seeks a dynamic and proven academic leader to serve as the Dean of the College of Science and Technology. The University seeks a visionary, research-savvy, and student-centered academic administrator who will redefine science at FAMU as a spectacular, high-impact, and nationally visible enterprise.

For more information, please visit the full profile here:
https://myersmcrae.com/api/admin/create-job/file/Files/PDF/Florida-AM_Dean-Science_FINAL-2026-1771005273009-817714328.pdf

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1887, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), located in Tallahassee, is the third oldest university in the State University System of Florida and is the state’s only public historically Black university. FAMU is an energetic and dynamic institution, acclaimed for the excellent achievement of its students, alumni, faculty, and its contribution to society in the pursuit of education and research. The university works every day to continue to propel itself to the forefront of innovation and scholarship. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates.

With an enrollment of nearly 10,000 students, FAMU ranks among the nation’s Top 100 public universities in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” ranking, landing at #81; #3 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU); #1 public HBCU; #20 for Social Mobility; and #152 among National Universities.

FAMU’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of discovery propels it forward as one of the nation’s best public universities. Across disciplines, FAMU’s world-class researchers seek answers to some of humanity’s most challenging problems, addressing issues that impact Florida, the nation and beyond. With $112.4M (FY24) in research awards, FAMU is on the precipice to achieve Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s highest and most coveted Very High Research Activity status (R1) in the next few years.

FAMU’s 14 colleges and schools, offering more than 60 undergraduate and 40 graduate degree programs, through its College of Agriculture and Food Sciences; College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Institute of Public Health; College of Education; College of Law; College of Science and Technology; College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities; FAMU-FSU College of Engineering; School of Allied Health Sciences; School of Architecture & Engineering Technology; School of Business and Industry; School of Graduate Studies and Research; School of Journalism & Graphic Communications; School of Nursing; and School of the Environment.

The University offers more than 100 student organizations and several fraternities and sororities. FAMU is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and fields 14 NCAA Division 1 athletic teams.

In addition to the main campus in Tallahassee, FAMU has several satellite campuses across Florida. These include the College of Law in Orlando and the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, which has sites in Crestview, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miami as well as its primary campus in Tallahassee.

FAMU Mission

FAMU is an 1890 land grant, doctoral/research institution devoted to student success at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional levels. FAMU enhances the lives of its constituents and empowers communities through innovative teaching, research, scholarship, partnerships, and public service. The University continues its rich legacy and historic mission of educating the nation’s best and brightest.

FAMU Vision

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University will be recognized as a leading national public university that is internationally renowned for its competitive graduates, transformative research, and innovation.

FAMU Values

FAMU is committed to the values of ACCOUNTABILITY, INCLUSION, INNOVATION, and INTEGRITY. The University also values and endorses the Board of Governors’ Statement of Free Expression and expects open-minded and tolerant civil discourse to take place throughout the campus community.

ABOUT CST

Established on July 1, 2012, the College of Science and Technology (CST) emerged from the formal division of FAMU’s former College of Arts and Sciences into two distinct academic units: the College of Science and Technology and the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. Since its inception, CST has served as the University’s scientific and technological backbone—educating future scientists, technologists, researchers, and health professionals.

The College of Science and Technology houses five core academic departments: Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry, Department of Computer & Information Sciences, Department of Mathematics, and the Department of Physics. Together, these departments form a comprehensive and interdisciplinary scientific enterprise that supports undergraduate education, graduate training, doctoral research, and workforce-aligned innovation.

As its mission and vision, the College of Science and Technology is dedicated to preparing students to become scholars, innovators, and leaders in science and technology. CST fosters an open and supportive academic environment where students engage with faculty and staff who are patient, fair, caring, passionate, and deeply invested in student success. Through relevant pedagogy, experiential learning, and rigorous inquiry, CST strengthens students’ ability to solve complex problems independently—producing responsible citizens who contribute meaningfully to scientific advancement, technological innovation, and societal progress.

CST Mission & Vision

• The College of Science and Technology is dedicated to preparing our students to be scholars and leaders by providing an open atmosphere where students encounter patient and fair individuals who are caring, passionate, and vested in their success.
• Our faculty will use relevant techniques and pedagogy to strengthen student capability in solving problems independently, thereby producing responsible citizens focused on contributing to science and technology to enhance society.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The right candidate for Dean of the CST will serve a critical institutional priority as the University advances its academic, research, and workforce mission in the sciences, technology, computing, mathematics, and emerging interdisciplinary fields.

The next Dean of the College of Science and Technology will be charged with leading a bold transformation that positions CST as a nationally visible, innovation-driven, and student-centered college. Priorities include expanding cutting-edge academic programs, strengthening pathways to medical school and the health professions, increasing doctoral (PhD) completion rates, enhancing enrollment, recruiting world-class faculty, and elevating CST’s role in high-impact areas such as cyber policy, artificial intelligence, computer science, computer information systems, and mathematics.

The next Dean of the College of Science and Technology will assume leadership at a pivotal moment of opportunity. The University seeks a visionary, research-savvy, and student-centered academic executive who will redefine science at FAMU as a spectacular, high-impact, and nationally visible enterprise. This position reports to the Provost.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Innovation and Market Visibility

• Launch and expand cutting-edge, market-responsive programs across science, technology, computing, and mathematics.
• Elevate CST’s national visibility through thought leadership, partnerships, and innovative curricula.
• Position CST as a destination college for high-achieving STEM students.

Cyber Policy, AI, and Computing Excellence

• Cultivate national prominence in cyber policy, artificial intelligence, computer science, and computer information systems.
• Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration across data science, computing, and applied technology fields.
• Align programs with workforce demand and emerging scientific frontiers.

Pre-Medical and Health Professions Pathways

• Strengthen and expand pathways to medical school and allied health professions.
• Enhance advising, preparation, and outcomes for pre-medical and health-focused students.
• Deepen collaborations with health systems, medical schools, and research partners.

Doctoral Education and Research Productivity

• Increase PhD enrollment, retention, and completion rates.
• Strengthen research infrastructure, grant activity, and interdisciplinary scholarship.
• Strengthen research infrastructure, grant activity, and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Enrollment Growth and Student Success

• Grow undergraduate and graduate enrollment through strategic recruitment and retention efforts.
• Enhance academic support, mentoring, and student engagement across all departments.
• Improve progression, graduation, and post-graduate outcomes.

World-Class Faculty Recruitment and Development

• Recruit, retain, and support world-class faculty across scientific disciplines.
• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Support faculty success in teaching, research, and professional engagement.

The successful candidate will bring:

• An earned doctorate in a science, technology, computing, or closely related discipline
• Senior academic leadership experience (Dean, Associate Dean, Chair, or equivalent)
• A strong record of research, external funding, and graduate education leadership
• Demonstrated success in faculty recruitment, student success initiatives, and program innovation
• A compelling vision for advancing science and technology within a public research university and HBCU context

Why This Role Matters

This deanship offers the opportunity to shape the future of science and technology at one of the nation’s most important universities. The next Dean will help define how science serves society, how innovation expands opportunity, and how FAMU continues to produce graduates and discoveries that change lives.

PROVOST ALLYSON L. WATSON, PH.D.

Dr. Allyson L. Watson has served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Florida A&M University since 2023, where she functions as the institution’s chief academic officer, providing executive oversight of academic strategy, faculty affairs, and student success across multiple colleges and schools. She has previously served in senior leadership roles including dean of the College of Education at Florida A&M University from 2019–2022, before becoming interim provost and then accepting the provost position in 2023. She has also served as interim chief academic officer, dean at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, assistant dean, and as Northeastern State University’s inaugural named endowed chair.

Dr. Watson holds master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Oklahoma, where her academic preparation emphasized educational leadership, educational policy, institutional strategy, and systems-level reform in higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman University. Earlier in her career, Dr. Watson served in administrative leadership at the University of Oklahoma Center for Educational and Community Renewal (now the K–20 Center), supporting statewide and cross-sector technology-access initiatives focused on educational pipelines and institutional collaboration.

Across her career, Dr. Watson has led large-scale academic enterprises, advanced faculty development and research capacity, and strengthened partnerships among universities, industry, and community stakeholders. She has directed institution-wide initiatives that align academic programs with regional and national workforce priorities, grown externally funded research, and improved student progression and degree completion outcomes. Her leadership is characterized by a focus on academic quality, student success, operational effectiveness, and measurable institutional performance.

Dr. Watson is an inaugural Gates Millennium Scholar and served as national alumni president of the Gates Millennium Scholars Alumni Association from 2010 to 2013. She brings a leadership philosophy grounded in accountability, strategic execution, and the belief that strong institutions create pathways for sustained individual and collective achievement.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

Tallahassee is the site of the Florida State Capitol, Supreme Court of Florida, Florida Governor’s Mansion, and nearly 30 state agency headquarters as well as Florida A&M University.

The city is a recognized regional center for scientific research, and home to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. In 2015, Tallahassee was awarded the All-America City Award by the National Civic League for the second time.

Close to the Gulf of Mexico, there is a plethora of things to do in Tallahassee. Great adventures and sites include the beaches, the Tallahassee Museum, the Florida History Museum, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Mission St. Luis de Apalachee, St. Marks Lighthouse, the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, Railroad Square Art District, the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum at FAMU, the Goodwood Museum and Gardens, Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Cascades Park, and many more walking and biking trails, outdoor exploration, and activities. Restaurants and shops are plentiful and superb.

Tallahassee is also known for its fabulous festivals and events, such as the Tallahassee Food and Wine Festival, the Greek Food Festival, the Harambee Festival, Springtime Tallahassee, First Friday festivals at Railroad Square, and Downtown Getdowns.

Educationally, the population of Leon County, of which Tallahassee is the county seat, is the most highly educated population in Florida. Tallahassee is home to countless public schools, charter schools, private schools, and even a virtual high school. FAMU is home to the distinguished Developmental Research School, a K–12 school. While Tallahassee boasts many hospitals and clinics, it also has numerous family physicians and well-qualified specialists.

APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS

Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.

Applications

1. All application packet must include the following:
   a) A letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the position
   b) Current résumé
   c) At least four references with full contact information including e-mail (References will not be contacted without consent from applicant.)

A background and criminal report will be conducted on the finalists selected for campus interviews.

2. Submit application materials online, preferably as PDFs. Additional information is requested with the submission of materials. Review of applications begins immediately. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Nominations

Submit nominations with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated.

Consultant

FAMU has retained Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting to assist the Search Committee for the Dean of the College of Science and Technology in its identification and review of candidates. Darrel Colson, Senior Consultant at Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is conducting this search. Request a conversation at darrelcolson@myersmcrae.com