Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Title

Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agency

Tarleton State University

Department

Division of Academic Affairs

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. As part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, this role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a university that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth. Join us in advancing knowledge and transforming lives—on campus and beyond. Tarleton State University continues to grow its impact across Texas, with four distinct campuses located in Stephenville, Fort Worth, RELLIS-Bryan and Waco, along with a robust online community that extends our reach even further.

At the heart of it all is Stephenville, where Tarleton State offers a dynamic environment for faculty and staff. From a lively live music scene and numerous local festivals to rich traditions rooted in the surrounding community, Stephenville provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

No matter where you're located—on campus or online—you are part of a mission that transforms lives and makes a difference across the state of Texas and beyond.

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Important Immigration Information:

A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised that Tarleton State University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Tarleton State University subject to this fee.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

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Application Procedure

Applications, nominations, and inquiries should be directed to the search firm contact listed below. Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. While applications and nominations will be accepted until a new Dean is selected, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials to our consultant at the address below by September 15, 2026 for full consideration. Application materials must include a current CV and letter of interest.

Tarleton COANR Dean Search

Funk Associates

2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Suite 300

Dallas, Texas 75219

Email: Krisha.Creal@funkassociates.com

The Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for the College’s academic departments, research programs, outreach initiatives, and resource management. The Dean advances a culture of student success, academic excellence, and applied learning while fostering a robust, innovative research environment aligned with Tarleton’s institutional goals, including the pursuit of R1 status. The Dean serves as the primary external representative for the College and plays a critical role in building partnerships with industry, agencies, alumni, and donors to enhance the College’s visibility and impact. Exercises leadership responsibility in advising the College regarding administrative, curriculum, and budgetary matters in their respective departments.

Serves as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work requirements indicate.

Responsibilities

• 25% Encourages a culture of student success and academic excellence by emphasizing high academic standards, applied learning, excellent teaching, faculty and student scholarship, exemplary student support services, continuous quality improvement, and data-informed decision-making.
• 25% Foster a robust research culture that supports faculty and student scholarship and creative activity. Facilitate and support the development, submission, and management of externally funded grants and contracts by strengthening research infrastructure, removing barriers to proposal development, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in support of the university’s pursuit of R1 status.
• 20% Actively pursue and champion the development of industry and agency linkages that will assist in curriculum development and career opportunities for graduates and acquisition of resources for continuous development, improvement of the college.
• 20% Provide strong planning and management leadership, vision and budget management to college programs, departments, centers, institutes, and personnel emphasizing collegiality, integration, and collaboration among college personnel, programs, and resources.
• 5% Promote compliance with all TAMUS Policies and Regulations, and all Tarleton Rules and Procedures.
• 5% Represent the college effectively both internally and externally.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Earned terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a field housed in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Record of scholarship/creative activity, teaching, and service that supports appointment as a tenured full professor within the College.
• Demonstrated academic leadership experience in higher education (e.g., dean, associate dean, department chair/head, or comparable role).
• Demonstrated fiscal stewardship, including effective management of budgets, personnel, and other resources.
• Evidence of success securing extramural support (grants/contracts and/or philanthropic giving) and working collaboratively with alumni, donors, and state agency partners to advance College priorities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to set direction and execute a strategic plan, with evidence of leading improvement and change.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain partnerships with external stakeholders that strengthen research, teaching, and outreach/engagement.
• Superior organizational leadership, supervising, and decision-making skills.

Application Procedure

Applications, nominations, and inquiries should be directed to the search firm contact listed below. Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. While applications and nominations will be accepted until a new Dean is selected, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials to our consultant at the address below by September 15, 2026 for full consideration. Application materials must include a current CV and letter of interest.

Tarleton COANR Dean Search

Funk Associates

2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Suite 300

Dallas, Texas 75219

Email: Krisha.Creal@funkassociates.com

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.