Position Summary
Position Description
The University of Kentucky (UK) Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment invites nominations, inquiries and applications for an exceptional engagement and academic leader to serve as Associate Dean of Extension and Director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (KCES). The Associate Dean reports directly to the Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and Dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
The Associate Dean provides statewide leadership for the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (KCES), which is dedicated to taking the University of Kentucky to the people of the Commonwealth by delivering research-based educational programs designed to improve their quality of life and economic well-being. KCES is central to the University of Kentucky’s outreach mission in that it provides and facilitates quality educational, research, and technical services for people, groups, and organizations in Kentucky. These activities support and promote individual well-being, professional and organizational development, social and cultural enrichment, economic opportunity, and regional development.
Because of the strong alignment with University programs, the Associate Dean will be eligible for an “at will” secondary appointment as the University of Kentucky’s Associate Vice President for Land-grant Engagement. In this supplemental role, the position will report to the Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and Dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The mission of this office is to bring the tripartite university mission to the people and places of the state. The current University strategic plan, Our Purpose, call for the University of Kentucky (UK) to advance Kentucky as we expand and enhance the land-grant engagement mission to include the entire campus community and leverage community-based resources to accelerate health, workforce and economic development across the Commonwealth. To that end, the Vice President of Land-grant Engagement works with our campus and community partners to strengthen our role as the university for, by and with the people of Kentucky.
The Associate Dean is expected to show initiative and self-discipline, with confidence to lead, encourage and enable a team and work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders. The Associate Dean must demonstrate an ability to influence people positively, be a catalyst for progress, and make a decisive impact. The Associate Dean must advance the organization by refining, enhancing and innovating the mission and purpose of the Cooperative Extension System. The Associate Dean must be able to communicate a vision of how the organization’s operations and opportunities enhance the community’s resources for education, economic development, civic, and cultural programs. The Associate Dean will promote a culture of customer service and the capacity to incorporate this philosophy to advance positive impact upon clientele and all stakeholders.
Required Professional Qualifications
- Earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree.
- Recognized achievement that would warrant appointment as a tenured professor.
- Progressive and broad academic administrative leadership experience arising from an administrative role such as department chair, center director, associate dean, dean or similar.
The full position profile can be accessed at https://www.greenwoodsearch.com/current-opportunities/associate-dean-and-director-of-extension-university-of-kentucky
APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS
Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Kentucky in this search. For a full application packet, please include a letter of interest clearly addressing how your experiences make you a preferred candidate and CV.
To apply, please use this link: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/578394
We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment to confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin on May 15, 2025 and continue until an appointment is made.
Nominations & Inquiries:
Nominations and inquiries are now being accepted for a 12-month faculty appointment at the rank of professor in the Extension Title Series with tenure eligibility and the faculty appointment in an academic unit of the college. Inquiries, nominations should be directed to Julie Schrodt and/or Jeremy Duff from Greenwood Asher & Associates.
Julie Schrodt, Senior Executive Search Consultant
E-mail: julieschrodt@greenwoodsearch.com
Jeremy Duff, Vice President of Executive Search
E-mail: jeremyduff@greenwoodsearch.com
An employment offer will be contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screening requirements and completion of final references. These requirements are comprised of a national background check and/or drug screen. Additional requirements could include health screening measures and/or a motor vehicle record check depending on your job responsibilities. Materials must represent and confirm that you are not aware of any threatened, ongoing, or past misconduct proceedings of any kind (including but not limited to research/scientific, financial, harassment, or other allegations) related to you or your activities. An offer is contingent upon and subject to this representation, and a failure of this representation will enable the University, at its sole discretion, to revoke the offer made. When warranted, offers of employment are contingent upon you securing and/or maintaining valid immigration/work authorization status throughout your employment. We also value the well-being of each of our community members and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn, and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients, and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity university. We encourage applications from women, minorities, and all interested and qualified people. Our coordinator is Tim West, S-105 Agriculture Science North, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091.
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Reasonable accommodation of disability may be available with prior notice. Program information may be available in languages other than English. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating. Disabilities accommodated with prior notification.