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 Heads 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 ALECs 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 ALECs 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 ALECs 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 ALECs 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.

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.

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.