Professor and Department Head, Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education

College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University

POSITION                           Professor and Department Head, Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education

STARTING DATE           September 2024 or as negotiated

RESPONSIBILITIES       

The College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a dynamic individual to lead the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education (AESE). The Department’s land-grant mission is to extend knowledge in the social sciences through nationally and internationally recognized research, teaching, and outreach activities. Our mission is achieved through excellence in three key social science disciplines: Agricultural Economics , Rural Sociology , and Education, Development, and Community Engagement . AESE is home to five graduate programs, five undergraduate majors and six minors, and it participates in five dual-degree programs. AESE is the academic home for 48 faculty and 21 staff, including an Associate Head and faculty advisory committee. Penn State has 20 campuses, 17,500 faculty and staff and 88,000 students and is ranked among the top public universities. 

The Head is the Department's academic leader and administrative officer and provides intellectual and organizational leadership for AESE. The Head reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences.  

Responsibilities include:

• Create and maintain an environment that facilitates 1) a strong sense of community; 2) an effective shared vision; 3) a highly productive, innovative, and entrepreneurial faculty and staff; 4) collaborative opportunities, and 5) a mutually supportive, diverse and intellectually stimulating environment for students, staff, and faculty. 
• Lead faculty and staff in implementing and enhancing the Department's undergraduate and graduate education programs, Cooperative Extension, and outreach initiatives to ensure programs are responsive to the evolving interests and needs of students and society.
• Guide and enhance the Department's research environment to assure that programs meet the needs of stakeholders and sponsors.
• Proactively engage Extension, and enhance the Department’s state, national and international reputation.
• Administer and manage the Department's academic affairs, personnel, finances, and physical facilities.  
• Represent, promote and advocate for the Department within the College and University, and with disciplinary groups, alumni and other private and public stakeholders within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond.  
• Support development programs to attract external support for educational programs, research initiatives, centers and institutes, and Extension engagement strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS          

A Ph.D in agricultural economics, agricultural education, rural sociology, or a closely related field is required. The successful candidate must be tenurable at the rank of professor. 

Desirable attributes include:

• Demonstrated effective management and administrative leadership of a multi-disciplinary, multi-function department. 
• Significant understanding and appreciation of the evolving mission of the land-grant university system, and of expectations, opportunities and constraints facing faculty and departments in public research and education institutions. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage budget priorities and balance a diverse array of needs within the Department.
• Substantial knowledge of university research, Cooperative Extension, and teaching functions.  
• Demonstrated ability in and commitment to effective leadership that stresses participatory decision-making.
• Strong personnel management experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Proven ability and commitment to mentoring faculty and staff at all career stages and providing support for professional development.  

SALARY

Competitive, commensurate with background and experience. An attractive benefits package s available.

APPLICATION             

Apply online at https://hr.psu.edu/careers to REQ_0000052214. Candidates should upload a cover letter summarizing interest in the position and qualifications and a complete curriculum vitae. In addition, provide a statement of leadership philosophy, a Reflection on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least three individuals who may be contacted as professional references.  Review of applications will begin in early April and continue until a suitable applicant is identified. To learn more about the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, visit: http://aese.psu.edu/

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Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

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