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Title: Chair, Department of Agriculture
Employee Classification: Department Chairperson
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Applied Science and Technology
Department: Agriculture
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The College of Applied Science and Technology invites applications for the position of Chair in the Department of Agriculture (AGR). We are seeking a dynamic, collegial, collaborative chair to lead a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the department, along with oversight of the University Farm and the Horticulture Center. The Chair is responsible for strategic leadership, fiscal management, curriculum development and review, personnel recruitment, enrollment management, departmental accreditations, assessment, advancement, oversight of the teaching and research laboratories. The Chair will encourage and support high quality teaching, research, and service, and advocate for the resources needed to sustain the Department's mission and vision. The Chair will develop and maintain partnerships within and outside the university, as well as promote the Department's programs to alumni, businesses, government agencies, and other educational institutions. The preferred start date for this position is July 1, 2025.

The Department of Agriculture and College of Applied Science and Technology are committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. ISU recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and greater community. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are especially welcomed to apply. ISU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

The position is a twelve-month appointment. The salary and rank are commensurate with qualifications and experience. A competitive comprehensive benefits package is included.

Additional Information

The Department of Agriculture at Illinois State University has 14 tenured and tenure-track faculty, approximately 410 undergraduate students, and 50 graduate students. The department offers an undergraduate major in Agriculture with sequences in Agribusiness, Agriculture Communication and Leadership, Agriculture Education, Agronomy Management, Animal Industry Management, Animal Science, Crop and Soil Science, Food Industry Management, Horticulture and Landscape Management, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. The department offers a Master of Science in Agriculture with sequences in Agribusiness, Agriculture Education and Leadership, and Agriscience. The department boasts unique resources to facilitate teaching and research, including a meats laboratory, an agriculture mechanics and technology laboratory, a 25-acre horticulture center, and a 600-acre teaching and research farm with grain and livestock production. The Department of Agriculture ( https://agriculture.illinoisstate.edu/ ) is administratively located within the College of Applied Science and Technology ( http://cast.illinoisstate.edu/ ).

Illinois State University: IllinoisState.edu , was founded in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State’s Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride .

Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability’s top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online’s list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State’s campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Qualifications

1) A doctoral degree in an area appropriate to the Department of Agriculture, with academic achievement that merits appointment with tenure at the rank of associate or full professor (full professor preferred).
2) Demonstrated ability in working and communicating effectively with faculty, staff, and students in agriculture.
3) A commitment to shared governance.
4) Demonstrate the ability and willingness to provide vision and leadership for a department with a diversity of programs and facilities.
5) Candidates must be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Work Hours

Varies

Proposed Starting Date

July 1, 2025

Required Applicant Documents

1) Letter of application
2) Curriculum vitae
3) Statement of leadership philosophy
4) The names and contact details of 3 references

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of applications will begin October 25, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information for Applicants

Search Committee Chair
Jeff Walsh
jawalsh@ilstu.edu.

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.