"Professor and Department Head"

POSITION: Department Head, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

LOCATION: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

EFFECTIVE DATE: Screening of applicants' credentials will begin January 16, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Tennessee is seeking applications and nominations for the position of Department Head of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. This is a 12-month, tenure track position based in Knoxville, Tennessee with statewide responsibilities.

The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications offers undergraduate and graduate students focus areas on agricultural communications, agricultural education, agricultural extension education, and agricultural leadership. These focus areas prepare graduates for careers in both formal and non-formal education. The department offers an online program leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. The program is designed primarily for individuals interested in further developing their teaching/learning, leadership, extension, and communication knowledge. Recently, the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications has been approved for a PhD in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. The ALEC PhD program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address contemporary challenges in agriculture through leadership, education, and communication.

Responsibilities: The Department Head’s responsibilities include leadership of all departmental programs and administrative responsibility for planning, fiscal management, human resources, and facilities. The Department Head reports to the Deans of AgResearch, UT Extension, and the Herbert College of Agriculture, working with their offices to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. The Department Head guides ALEC in its mission to deliver statewide, nationally, and internationally recognized programs in teaching, research, and Extension. The Department Head helps articulate and promote ALEC’s vision to provide high quality, relevant education, and training for undergraduate and graduate students that encompasses the vision of The University of Tennessee "a world enriched by our ideas, improved through action, and inspired by the Volunteer spirit of service and leadership", thus positioning students to take their places as academic and industry leaders in the state of Tennessee and the world.

Job Description: The Department Head will serve as the chief executive officer of the department and will be responsible for providing dynamic, visionary leadership in the following key areas:

• Strategic Vision and Leadership: Provide direction for the ALEC’s teaching, research, Extension, and service missions, ensuring alignment with institute and university goals. Commitment to growing all programs and enhancing leadership.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, administration, alumni, industry partners, advisory groups, and external constituencies to establish priorities and guide departmental growth.
• Faculty and Staff Development: Recruit, support, mentor, and evaluate ALEC’s team of faculty and staff; lead efforts in performance management, retention, and professional development.
• Student Success: Oversee student recruitment, advising, and support efforts to enhance enrollment, retention, and student achievement within ALEC’s disciplines.
• Academic Program Quality: Ensure health, accreditation, and continuous improvement of academic programs, maintaining high standards for teaching and learning outcomes.
• Resource Management: Effectively manage departmental budgets, human resources, and facilities. Identify and cultivate internal and external funding and sponsored opportunities to support program growth.
• Visibility and Advocacy: Enhance the visibility of programs of the department (agricultural education, communications, leadership, and Extension) through the promotion of faculty achievements and advocacy efforts at the institute, university, state, and national levels.

Required qualifications: The successful candidate must:

• Qualify for the rank of Professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications with an earned Ph.D. or equivalent degree in closely related field and a distinguished record of scholarly achievement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary is commensurate with training and experience. Benefits include group hospitalization and life insurance; State Employees Retirement; Workers’ Compensation; study, sick and annual leave; numerous University of Tennessee and state benefit programs, including liberal time off for holidays and longevity pay after three years of service; reimbursement for official travel.

Preferred qualifications: The successful candidate should:

• Provide strategic visionary leadership for Extension, research, and teaching programs of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrate dedication and experience to accomplish objectives and benefit stakeholders.
• Articulate work experience which has demonstrated skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.
• Be committed to lifelong learning.

Additional qualifications: We seek a collegial leader with:

• Experience working within a land-grant university system.
• Experience in and a willingness to engage in assessing priorities, strategic planning and implementation, and adaptability to change in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Skills in effective management of personnel and a desire to encourage productive teamwork.
• International reputation in a specialty area, successful grantsmanship at regional and national levels, and active involvement in appropriate societies.
• Evidence of positive group leadership at the departmental (or equivalent) level.

TO APPLY

Application materials must include:

1. Letter of interest detailing leadership philosophy and illustrating commitment to the land-grant tripartite mission of Extension, teaching, and research.
2. Curriculum Vitae.
3. Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of four professional references that the Search Committee may contact.
4. Copy of transcripts showing degree(s) conferred.

Nominations and applications should be sent to the Search Committee Chair:

Dr. Christopher Boyer, Professor and Department Head
Department of Agricultural Resource Economics
The University of Tennessee
Search Committee Chair
308G Morgan Hall
2621 Morgan Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
E-mail: cboyer3@tennessee.edu