Opportunity

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) seeks a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial leader with the ability to build distinct connections with industry to serve as the next dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). Nestled among nearly 10,000 acres of some of the most fertile soil in the United States on the Central Coast of California, CAFES boasts one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate agricultural programs at a polytechnic institution that inspires whole system thinkers to serve California and solve global challenges. The dean will build on the successful reputation of Cal Poly and CAFES to reach new levels of distinction and national prominence while supporting their renowned “Learn by Doing” philosophy. 

Job Summary

ROLE OF THE DEAN 

The dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and is the lead academic and administrative officer for the college. The dean leads and executes strategic planning and visioning for the college. The dean provides support for the faculty of CAFES by creating a positive environment for teaching, scholarship and professional engagement, and service to the University and community. The dean is also expected to foster a healthy organizational culture for that enables the recruitment and retention of diverse and talented faculty, staff, and students. The dean is responsible for the quality of academic programs and for managing the fiscal resources, human resources, and the physical facilities of CAFES. The dean is expected to build partnerships with alumni and the business community, ensuring a close alignment around academic and industry needs, and will provide supplemental financial support for both new and existing programs. As the chief spokesperson for the college, the dean will foster deeper connections with industry, government officials, and leaders across campus to build mutually beneficial partnerships. 

The dean oversees an administrative team composed of a senior associate dean, two associate deans, two assistant deans, and 10 department heads and manages a complex budget of more than $31 million. CAFES includes approximately 90 tenure-track faculty, 90 lecturers, 4 ROTC faculty, and 80 staff. 

THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 

Since 1901, agricultural programs at Cal Poly have used the Learn by Doing approach to prepare leaders in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental and life sciences who are prepared to address challenges related to food security and meet increasing environmental demands at both the state and global level. Students have access to laboratories in a broad variety of disciplines as well as to vast ranchland, orchards, vineyards, and forest. These laboratories and living laboratories provide extensive Learn by Doing opportunities, which are supplemented by a curriculum informed by close connections with industry leaders. Given Cal Poly’s polytechnic emphasis and its location in California, the #1 ranked state for agricultural production with a $45-50 billion industry that produces over 400 agricultural commodities, the institution is ripe ground for preparing students to be future leaders in their fields. 

CAFES is globally recognized as a center of excellence in applied sciences through responsive scholarship, leadership, and service to others. With 4,200 students enrolled, CAFES has the fifth-largest undergraduate enrollment in agriculture and renewable resources programs in the nation. In addition, the college ranked fifth in the nation for agriculture degrees awarded to Latinx/e students, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. 

CAFES has nine undergraduate departments that offer 15 individual majors and 22 minors. Departments include: Agribusiness, Agricultural Education and Communication, Animal Science, BioResource and Agricultural Engineering, Experience Industry Management, Food Science and Nutrition, Military Science, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Plant Sciences, and Wine and Viticulture. In addition, CAFES offers a Master of Agricultural Education and four Master of Science degrees in Food Science, Nutrition, Environmental Sciences and Management, and Agriculture. The Master of Science in Agriculture has eight specializations: BioResource & Agricultural Systems, Animal Science, Crop Science, Dairy Products Technology, Environmental Horticultural Science, Irrigation, Plant Protection Science, and Water Engineering. 

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The next dean will have a record of acade