THE OPPORTUNITY:

Clemson University is looking for a dynamic and visionary leader to support the growth of the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS) and the service mission of Public Service and Agriculture (PSA) to South Carolina communities. Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, this position requires an individual who can navigate the academic environment of an R1 college and work with state officials and regulatory agencies to uphold Clemson University's land grant mission.

The portfolio consists of the departments of Agricultural Sciences, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Forestry and Environmental Conservation, and Plant and Environmental Sciences in addition to twelve centers and institutes. The college offers twelve undergraduate majors and eleven graduate programs with over 1900 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. The college is also home for the SC Agricultural Experiment Station, Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, Livestock Poultry Health, and Regulatory Services in addition to outreach and research facilities distributed throughout South Carolina including six major research and education centers and the Botanical Garden.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the college. The dean holds tenured faculty rank and provides leadership, vision, and strategic planning to help formulate and implement educational policies while serving as the collegiate faculty’s agent in the execution of such policies. The dean serves as the principal internal and external spokesperson for the college and PSA as well as for its mission of promoting all areas associated with the college. Performance in office is reviewed at regular intervals by the provost per the Clemson University Faculty Manual. The dean will be responsible for:

  • Strategic Leadership:  Develop and execute a compelling vision for the integration of CAFLS and PSA that aligns with the university’s mission and Clemson Elevate strategic plan. Lead efforts to enhance the college’s reputation, both nationally and internationally, and cultivate partnerships with industry, government, and other educational institutions.
  • Academic Excellence: Promote academic excellence by setting high standards for faculty, staff, and students. Foster a collaborative and inclusive learning environment that encourages interdisciplinary research, creativity, and innovation.
  • Community Engagement: Build and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders, alumni, local communities, industry leaders and partners, SC state agencies, and other groups to enhance outreach efforts that promote the college's visibility and transform lives statewide and beyond.
  • Research and Scholarship: Foster a robust research culture that encourages faculty and students to engage in innovative research and creative endeavors. Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and seek external funding for research projects.
  • Fiduciary Decisions and Resource Management: Manage the college budgets and resources effectively, seeking external funding opportunities through grants, partnerships, and fundraising efforts. Allocate resources strategically to support the college's academic, research and land-grant missions of teaching, research and Extension.
  • Faculty and Staff Development: Recruit, retain, and mentor diverse and talented faculty and staff, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment. Promote professional development and scholarly activities among faculty and staff.
  • Student Success: Support the university’s mission to provide the number one student experience through leading student success initiatives that ensure access to high-quality educational programs, advising, and career development opportunities. Advocate and support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusive excellence within the college.
  • Curriculum Enhancement: Collaborate with faculty to enhance curriculum offerings and keep them relevant to industry trends and technological advancements. Promote innovative teaching methods and experiential learning opportunities aligned with the University’s strategic plan.
  • Accreditation and Compliance: Ensure that all programs within the college meet accreditation standards and comply with university policies and regulations.
  • Core Values: champion the established core values: Integrity, Respect, Diversity, Patriotism, Excellence, and Self-Reliance.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Clemson University is a selective, public, Carnegie R1 research university in a college-town setting. Established in 1899 through the will of the founder, Thomas Green Clemson, the university is located on a 20,000-acre campus in Upstate South Carolina in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along Lake Hartwell.

The University provides bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 100 majors through nine academic colleges: Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Architecture, Art and Construction; Arts and Humanities; Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences; Business; Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences; Education; Science and Veterinary Medicine. The University also has Extension offices in every county of the state as well as teaching and research sites in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Greenwood, as well as four international sites.

Clemson has a total enrollment of 22,875 undergraduate and 5,872 graduate students. The student to faculty ratio is 16:1, with a median undergraduate class size of 26. The six-year graduation rate is 87.9 percent.

ABOUT THE CITY OF CLEMSON

Clemson is a city of approximately 18,800 year-round residents located in Pickens County, South Carolina. The area, located in the northwest corner of the state in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, includes Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, and Lake Jocassee, large man-made lakes with great fishing, swimming and boating. Clemson enjoys a moderate temperature year-round with average temperatures in January of 30°–50°F and in August of 69°–90°F. Clemson is a short 40-minute drive from downtown Greenville, an hour and a half from Asheville, NC, and two hours from both Atlanta and Charlotte.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84LPPNpdiRg

The city of Clemson operates with the Clemson Police Department, Clemson University Fire Department and Pickens County EMS, for public safety needs. All departments are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Clemson Area Transit offers free transportation (known as the CAT bus) to all riders. The city is also served by Amtrak on the Crescent route. The closest major airport is Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, located a 45-minute drive away.

The school district is Pickens County. Children living in the city of Clemson attend Clemson Elementary School, RC Edwards Middle School and Daniel High School. Residents also enjoy access to the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, the Clemson University Experimental Forest, the 18-hole Walker Golf Course, the South Carolina Botanical Garden, and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum from the Clemson University campus. In addition, the University has 19 NCAA teams and numerous intramural and club sports.

ABOUT THE CITY OF GREENVILLE

Downtown Greenville offers a thriving entertainment, dining and cultural scene, the Swamp Rabbit bike trail, the Peace Center for Performing Arts, and is home to the Greenville Drive, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., are within two hours’ driving distance from Clemson, while outdoors enthusiasts can be in the mountains of North Carolina in an hour or enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and more at one of several South Carolina state parks within a 45-minute drive of Clemson.

https://www.visitgreenvillesc.com/about-greenville/videos/

QUALIFICATIONS: Clemson University is seeking a strategic and visionary leader with the following qualifications:

  • A terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a relevant field within agriculture, forestry, or life sciences.
  • A distinguished record of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of full professor within the college.
  • Proven leadership experience in an academic setting, preferably at the level of dean, associate dean, department chair, or equivalent.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
  • Visionary thinking and the ability to develop and implement a strategic plan.
  • Demonstrated fiscal responsibility and resource management skills.
  • Dedication to the land-grant mission, an appreciation for the complexity of the college’s faculty and staff, and the demonstrated ability to collaborate with a wide array of stakeholders to enhance South Carolina’s community.
  • An understanding of and appreciation for the value of fundamental and applied research across the range of disciplines represented within CAFLS, including technology transfer and the commercialization of academic research.
  • Record of success with obtaining extramural funding and working collaboratively with alumni, donors and state agency partners to secure beneficial partnerships.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain appropriate alliances with external stakeholders for research, teaching and outreach opportunities.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The Screening Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and list of five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted via Interfolio using the following link:  http://apply.interfolio.com/138488 

Please direct any confidential inquiries, nominations or questions to the search firm assisting the University

Porsha L. Williams, Vice President

Erin Raines, Senior Principal

Scott Gaffney, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875

Atlanta, GA 30328

770-804-1996 ext. 117

pwilliams@parkersearch.com || eraines@parkersearch.com || sgaffney@parkersearch.com

Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information. Clemson University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.

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