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Dean of the School of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Human Sciences and Director of 1890 Research and Extension

University of Arkansas
United States, Arkansas, Pine Bluff
1200 North University Drive (Show on map)
Feb 01, 2026
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Closing Date: Type of Position:Senior Administration - Academic Deans Workstudy Position: No Job Type:Regular Work Shift: Sponsorship Available: No Institution Name: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is an 1890 Land-Grant HBCU with a diverse student population, competitive degree offerings and stellar faculty. For more than 140 years, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has worked to create an environment that inculcates learning, growth and productivity while affording a basic need to its students - a chance to advance. The 15:1 student to teacher ratio makes it possible to maintain a learning environment with close interaction between students and faculty while challenging curricula encourage our students to seek and fulfill their potential. You can excel in your chosen field of study through a curriculum of Certificate and Associates degree programs,more than thirtyUndergraduate programs, Master's degree programs and a Doctorate program in Aquaculture/Fisheries. You can also develop workplace readiness through internships, co-ops and fellowships in the U.S. and abroad. Out-of-class experiences and student involvement include more than 90 student organizations, an internationally renowned Vesper Choir, Marching Band, Concert Bands, Wind Symphony, nationally recognized debate team, award-winning theater department and accomplished athletic program. Though the main campus is in Pine Bluff, its reach is worldwide. UAPB has an extended campus in North Little Rock and offers as well as online courses. With the addition of the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON), students can engage in information exchange with others anywhere in the world. There are also Research and Extension offices in Lonoke, Newport and Lake Village and collaborations with other colleges and universities in the State through the National Science Foundation funded STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy. As the second oldest land-grant institution in the state of Arkansas, the mission of this No Excuse University remains the same - to provide a high quality, affordable education with a personal touch. We invite you to Become a Part of the Pride at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button. If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact Human Resources at 870.575.8400 . Department:Division of Academic Affairs Department's Website: Summary of Job Duties:Summary Reporting to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean and Director of 1890 Research and Extension serves as the chief academic and administrative leader of SAFHS and Cooperative Extension, providing visionary, servant-oriented, and future-focused leadership across teaching, research, Extension, and outreach. The Dean and Director of 1890 Research and Extension will act as a steward of people and programs, ensuring that faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders are empowered to excel. This 12-month tenured role requires an independent thinker and direct communicator who values listening, transparency, and collaboration while championing innovation and impact in alignment with UAPB's land-grant mission. Key Responsibilities The successful candidate will perform the following key duties and responsibilities within the academic department. Student Success and Experiential Learning Champion a student-centered culture that advances academic achievement, personal development, and career readiness. Foster an environment where students feel acknowledged, valued, and prepared to become leaders who transcend limitations and contribute solutions to societal challenges. Expand high-impact experiential learning opportunities, including undergraduate and graduate research, fieldwork, internships, international exchanges, and cooperative learning. Utilize data and analytics to strengthen student persistence, retention, four-year degree completion, and postgraduation outcomes. Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Career Services, University College, and departmental leadership to enhance student advising, student onboarding, and student success interventions. Ensure that all programs across SAFHS provide students with the academic rigor, applied experience, and professional competencies to thrive in Arkansas's evolving agricultural and human sciences workforce. Academic and Operational Leadership Provide strategic academic oversight for all degree programs across the departments of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Human Sciences, including new program development aligned with labor market demand and land-grant mission. Lead a shared governance culture by reviewing, revising, and developing internal policies and procedures that align with federal, state, and university regulations. Supervise department chairpersons and directors overseeing Evans-Allen Research, Cooperative Extension, and International Programs. Develop and expand cutting-edge undergraduate and graduate programs that respond to local, national, and global agricultural challenges. Foster interdisciplinary teaching and research, integrating agriculture, aquaculture, human sciences, sustainability, technology, and One Health approaches. Ensure curricular relevance by incorporating emerging technologies (e.g., AI, data science, precision agriculture, biotechnology, climate adaptation). Foster a high-performance academic environment through the recruitment, mentorship, and evaluation of faculty and staff. Maintain academic compliance and accreditation standards across all academic units within SAFHS. Budgetary Management and Employee Development Strong record in budget management, fiscal accountability, and resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities. Serve as the designated institutional signatory for the Evans-Allen Research Program, Cooperative Extension Program, and the 1890 Facilities Grant Program, ensuring compliance with fiscal and operational requirements. Ability to build high-performing faculty and staff teams, emphasizing professional growth and performance accountability. Allocate funding to expand sponsored research, grow externally funded initiatives, and strengthen core operations. Develop systems for performance accountability and data-informed decision-making. Demonstrated ability to leverage data-informed decision-making to improve programs, student outcomes, fiscal responsibility, and institutional reputation. Research and Extension Provide strategic leadership for the School's research and extension portfolio, integrating applied research and outreach to address agricultural, environmental, and community development challenges across Arkansas. Strengthen SAFHS's participation in USDA and 1890 land-grant research programs, particularly the Evans-Allen and Aquaculture Research Centers. Ensure high-quality execution of Cooperative Extension activities that translate university expertise into meaningful outcomes for rural and urban communities. Ability to expand research productivity, secure competitive federal and state grants, and grow industry-sponsored research partnerships. Demonstrated evidence building interdisciplinary research teams that address global food security, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. Supervise faculty and administrators leading grant-funded initiatives in aquaculture, natural resources, food security, family development, and positive youth development programming. Promote interdisciplinary cooperation, faculty and student mentorship, and forward-thinking research agendas that meet today's needs and anticipates the challenges of tomorrow. Represent SAFHS in national research and extension forums, including the Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD) and the Association of 1890 Extension Administrators (AEA), advocating for federal and state support for 1890 initiatives. External Engagement and Visibility Cultivate strong relationships with agricultural and human sciences industries, producers, community partners, and public agencies to promote applied research, workforce development, and public engagement. Partner with University Advancement and alumni networks to pursue fundraising, endowments, and sponsored program opportunities in support of the school's mission. Elevate SAFHS's visibility across Arkansas, nationally, and globally through strategic communication, media engagement, professional association participation, and public testimony. Approach external relationships as a custodian of opportunity, advocating for transformative partnerships that turn concepts into practice and ideas into measurable impact. Represent the School in international, national, regional, and state forums to articulate its value, communicate impact, and expand its influence as a leader in agricultural and human sciences education. Qualifications: Qualifications* Earned doctorate in Agriculture, Fisheries, Human Sciences, or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Minimum of three years in senior leadership experience (e.g., dean, associate dean, department chairperson, director, or similarly ranked position) preferably at a four-year land-grant institution of higher education. Distinguished record in teaching, research, and service that merits a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor. Strong fiscal management skills and experiencing allocating capital to achieve strategic priorities. Proven success as a strategic and innovative leader who can plan, articulate, and execute a comprehensive vision for an academic unit. Commitment to shared governance and collaborative engagement. Deep understanding and appreciation of the land-grant mission, which includes teaching, research, and Extension. Demonstrated success in program innovation, teaching excellence, and student outcome improvement. Proven ability to collaborate across university departments and system-level leadership while serving as an effective communicator and relationship-builder with academic, industry, and governmental partners to advocate for the school's priorities and elevate its visibility. Preferred Qualifications Minimum of five years of academic administration experience at a four-year institution of higher education. Evidence of the ability to leverage institutional assets and capabilities to advance the vision and mission of an academic School, College, or department. Record of securing and managing extramural research funding. Interdisciplinary teaching and research experience. Technological proficiency to support instructional delivery, student engagement, and administrative efficiency. Experience cultivating partnerships across institutional units and with external stakeholders. A leadership style that inspires performance, encourages innovation, and builds trust. Additional Information: About the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences The School of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Human Sciences (SAFHS) is central to UAPB's 1890 land-grant mission. It comprises three departments-Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, and Human Sciences-that prepare students to address pressing challenges in food systems, environmental stewardship, human health, and community resilience. SAFHS is home to Arkansas's only comprehensive aquaculture and fisheries program and the state's only accredited human sciences program, while its agriculture programs advance research and innovation in sustainable farming, natural resource management, and agribusiness. Faculty and students engage in millions of dollars of externally funded research annually and provide statewide Cooperative Extension services that translate university expertise into real-world solutions. SAFHS serves as a living laboratory where students, faculty, and partners collaborate to solve tangible challenges, drive economic development, and expand opportunity across Arkansas's rural and urban communities. Why Join UAPB? At the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, you will find a community of purpose, an institution with momentum, and a leadership team committed to excellence and transformation. The campus is located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a region rich in cultural history and poised for growth. UAPB offers the personal connections of a close-knit academic environment with the resources of a broader state university system. If you are energized by the opportunity to lead with vision, build thriving academic communities, and drive meaningful outcomes, we welcome your application to join a leadership team committed to redefining what is possible in public higher education. Salary Information: Required Documents to Apply: Optional Documents: Special Instructions to Applicants (Please upload all required documents in the "Resume" attachment section of your application to be considered for this position): Recruitment Contact Information: All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Sitehttps://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS Please do not send to listed recruitment contact. Pre-employment Screening Requirements:Criminal Background Check, Financial Credit Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check, Sex Offender Registry, Substance Abuse Testing The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment. The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law. The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment. All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Constant Physical Activity:Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Repetitive Motion, Sitting, Standing, Talking, Walking Frequent Physical Activity:Driving Occasional Physical Activity:N/A Benefits Eligible: