Description

Associate Dean and Director, Extension and Outreach
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

As an integral part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), the University of Illinois Extension drives sustainable development, lifelong learning, and community resilience in critical areas such as the environment, food and agriculture, health, community, and economy. Through innovative research, cutting-edge technology, and strategic partnerships, Illinois Extension empowers individuals and communities to thrive in an evolving world. By extending knowledge, developing educational programs, and fostering collaborations, it supports the College of ACES’ goal of serving as a catalyst for positive societal change.

Position Description and Major Responsibilities:

The associate dean and director, Extension and outreach, provides leadership, vision and strategic direction for statewide public outreach and research-based education to advance the land-grant mission of the University of Illinois. Specifically, the associate dean and director, University of Illinois Extension and outreach will:

• Provide visionary leadership that addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with major program initiatives, including outreach programs to promote the initiatives of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
• Integrate Extension outreach with campus faculty, internal or external to the College of ACES, involved by promoting collaboration with the statewide network of county directors and Extension educators to provide high impact educational, research or outreach programs.
• Work effectively with University of Illinois administrators; state and national leaders; industry leaders, growers, and producers; non-profit and private organizations and government agencies, to deliver programs, report accomplishments, and develop and obtain new revenue streams that will enhance
  Extension’s ability to address emerging opportunities.
• Maintain close working relations with state and county governments and local Extension Councils, and provide leadership for developing relations with Federal government organizations.
• Lead and provide direction for all aspects of University of Illinois Extension, including budget and grant management, staffing, field operations and programming. Provide oversight for off-campus facilities including three regional offices and 27 units serving all 102 counties.
• Provide leadership to state and federal grant-funded programs (e.g., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program –Education, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program).
• Work to increase visibility and program outreach in urban areas in Illinois as well as develop cooperation and understanding between urban/rural needs and access to Extension’s resources and opportunities.
• Actively participate and represent University of Illinois Extension in state and national meetings to further the University of Illinois Extension’s outreach objectives and new initiatives.

Participate as a member of the ACES Executive Administrative Team in college-level decision making, serve in an advisory capacity to the dean concerning resource allocation, sabbatical leave, strategic planning, program prioritization, responses to university level requests and initiatives, and other initiatives.

• Comply with Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity and Access policies and guidelines in commitment to achieving a diverse workforce.

The associate dean and director, Extension and outreach, reports to the dean of the college and works closely with the associate dean for academic programs, associate dean for research, associate dean for international programs and the associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the department heads within the college, to encourage and support the development and maintenance of a strong, dynamic Extension and outreach organization.

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must have a doctorate in a relevant field of study and demonstrate a record of scholarly activity commensurate for either the rank of professor in the tenure-track promotion system or clinical professor in the specialized faculty system at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven Leadership in Extension and Engagement
• Demonstrated track record in administration and vision for Extension and/or public
  engagement as university-wide priorities.
• Ability to leverage faculty expertise across ACES departments and other colleges to advance
  Extension’s strategic goals.

Strategic Collaboration and Advocacy

• Capacity to act as a compelling partner within the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  campus and with external constituencies to enhance visibility and impact.
  Evidence of productive collaboration with academic leaders and external stakeholders on
  Extension and engagement initiatives.

Visionary and Strategic Planning

• Demonstrated ability to articulate and implement innovative organizational visions.
• Skilled in translating institutional strategies into actionable goals with prioritized short- and
  long-term objectives.

Organizational and Fiscal Leadership

• Expertise in navigating complex organizational, political, and fiscal challenges typical of
  public research universities.
• Experience in improving practices, advocating for resources, and managing complex
  budgets.
• Success in securing grants and mission-aligned revenue.

Innovative and Inclusive Leadership

• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team of professional and support
  staff.
• Skilled in change management, conflict resolution, and consensus building, with a
  transparent, team-oriented leadership style.

Philanthropy and External Funding

• Ability to collaborate with college and university leaders to build philanthropic support for
• Extension and engagement priorities.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of success in working with diverse populations across race, gender, socioeconomic
  status, sexual orientation, abilities, and other dimensions.

Knowledge of Trends and Innovation

• Current understanding of Extension service issues and trends.
• Ability to integrate digital engagement strategies alongside traditional methods to meet
  evolving needs.

Land-Grant University Expertise

• Knowledge of and/or experience with disciplines relevant to Illinois Extension programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service at a land-grant
  university.

Salary: This is a full-time 100% appointment. ACES invites applications for a faculty position as a full professor tenured or non-tenure track clinical professor paid for nine months of service over twelve months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted base salary range for the Associate Dean and Director position is $115,000 to $200,000.

Proposed Starting Date: The proposed start date is June 1, 2025.

Applications: Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting on http://jobs.illinois.edu and upload a letter of application/interest that includes a statement of their leadership philosophy and experience including perspectives on inclusion and accessibility, curriculum vita, a vision statement for University of Illinois Extension, and contact information for three professional references (include name, title, address, phone, email). To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by 6:00 p.m. (CST) on February 28, 2025. This position will remain posted until filled. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be given full consideration.

For further information, contact Dr. Rodney Johnson, Search Committee Chair via e-mail at rwjohn@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please call 217-333-2137.