Position Function
Mississippi State University seeks to hire a Dean of the College of Forest Resources (CFR) and Director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center (FWRC). Mississippi State University (MSU) represents the highest level of research activity for doctorate-granting institutions and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation as an R1-Very High Research Activity University. A National Science Foundation “Top 100” research University, MSU shelters a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society, and values the talents of our distinguished faculty, staff, and student scholars. With over 22,000 students and 4,600 faculty and staff, MSU is located in Starkville, MS. Here, a culture of inclusion is fostered, and we are driven each day to make a difference at the local, state, regional, national, and global levels. We invite you to join MSU as we continue our momentum in research, teaching, and service.
CFR’s mission is to promote, support, and enable the management, conservation, and utilization of forest and other natural resources to benefit the stakeholders of Mississippi, the Nation, and the world. MSU’s College of Forest Resources is comprised of the following departments: Forestry, Sustainable Bioproducts, and Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture. The College currently enrolls approximately 480 undergraduate and 129 graduate students. There are approximately 49 full time equivalents (FTE) faculty employed in the College. Some faculty are located at regional Centers and Units.
The FWRC is a separately funded unit that receives direct, state, and federal funds. The mission of the FWRC is to expand through research the fundamental and applied knowledge upon which forestry, forest products, and wildlife and fisheries disciplines are based; to assist in conserving, developing, and using the forest, forest products, wildlife, and fisheries resources of Mississippi, the nation, and other countries through research, technology transfer, and other service activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Dean/Director jointly reports to the Provost and Executive Vice President and the Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine (DAFVM). The Dean/Director serves along with the other Deans and Directors as a member of the University’s Academic Council and a member of the DAFVM senior management team, providing visionary leadership for planning, budgeting, and resource development. The Dean/Director is responsible for developing strategic goals for CFR/FWRC and evaluating programs, faculty, and staff within CFR/FWRC. The Dean/Director develops and maintains productive relationships with forestry producers, industry constituents, federal, state, and local government agencies, and organizations and associations concerned with forestry and natural resources and community development. The Dean/Director promotes diversity within CFR/FWRC with respect to faculty, staff, and students. The combined budget of CFR and FWRC is approximately
$9 Million per year. The Dean/Director is responsible for internal oversight of these funds, seeking extramural funds, and external advocacy to enhance Foundation funding.
The Dean/Director works closely with the Director of the MSU Extension Service to maintain a collaborative partnership by integrating research and Extension programs throughout the state.
Qualifications
Candidates should have an earned doctorate in an appropriate area in forestry, natural resources, or a related field with credentials and experience to qualify for the rank of professor with tenure in a department within the College. The candidate must have a demonstrated ability to work effectively with the academic, forestry, natural resources and business communities, industry constituents, and federal partners. A record of successful administrative leadership and achievement, including the acquisition of public and private resources to develop and expand strong programs is also required. Candidates should have substantial experience with a minimum of four years of significant administrative experience. The successful candidate should have a thorough familiarity and understanding of the land-grant system and the interrelationship between the teaching, research, and extension programs. The candidate must possess the vision and experience to lead a complex organization in developing and enhancing its research mission in service to the state, region, and nation as a premier research leader.
Salary
Salary commensurate with education, experience, competitive benefits.
