Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension. The university is seeking an innovative, dynamic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial person who will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for Nebraska Extension. We are looking for a creative thinker who will work to understand the needs of Nebraskans and who will nurture dependable engagement programming that engenders trust and connects the university to Nebraska communities, industries, and other constituencies. The dean will be someone comfortable operating beyond functional silos and excited by boundary-spanning opportunities within and outside of the university.

Recognizing that diversity within a context of inclusivity enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and Nebraska Extension are committed to creating Extension programming, learning, research, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of human diversity. We actively encourage applications from and nominations of individuals from underrepresented groups including racial and ethnic minorities, women, sexual and gender minorities, persons living with disabilities, and veterans.

Position Overview
Candidates are urged to review all information and documents posted on the search website (https://ianr.unl.edu/dean-and-director-nebraska-extension).

The Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension reports to the IANR Vice Chancellor/University of Nebraska Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The dean is a member of the IANR senior leadership team (SLT) who partners and collaborates with colleagues to ensure IANR and UNL are coordinating and promoting all aspects of our land-grant mission as we serve all 531 rural and urban communities. The incumbent provides leadership and oversight of all Extension programming and engagement efforts in IANR, facilitating the performative evolution of UNL’s extension and engagement mission and ensuring the relevance, quality, and impact of programming for a changing world.

The dean/director fosters an inclusive culture in which all contributions to the team are appreciated and recognized, collaboration and innovation are encouraged, and the abilities of all are engaged to fully realize the potential of the team and of each team member. The incumbent manages financial and physical resources responsibly to maximize the effectiveness of those resources, exhibiting fiscal discipline and transparency, and using best fiscal management practices. The dean ensures opportunities are open to all, programs are inclusive of all constituencies, and efforts are made to engage diverse audiences, especially those that are traditionally underrepresented. They synthesize a vision for Nebraska Extension with input from faculty, staff, and stakeholders that encompasses all programmatic areas, seeks and deploys personnel and financial resources strategically, and ensures that the strategic vision is continuously examined for relevancy and refreshed as needed.

Additional information about Nebraska Extension may be obtained from its website, https://extension.unl.edu/.

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Qualifications for the Position
To be considered for the position, candidates must have:
• A record of excellence in university-based community engagement, outreach, or professional-community partnerships.
• Visionary leadership, including an ability to inspire and motivate.
• Effectiveness in aligning resources to achieve vision.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in achieving strategic outcomes.
• Supervisory experience.
• A record of leadership and outcomes that demonstrate an abiding commitment to practices that are inclusive of all forms of human diversity.
• Exceptional skills in communication and interpersonal relations.
• A master’s degree.

Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate:
• An earned doctoral degree and accomplishments commensurate with a faculty appointment in an IANR unit.
• A record of excellence in Extension.
• Proven skills for higher education administration.
• Courage to make difficult but informed decisions.
• Experience in mentoring.
• Sensitivity to the perspectives and values of faculty, staff, and students.
• A commitment to shared governance.
• An ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituencies.
• A record of success in obtaining external funding, including development and fundraising.

Application
The Search Advisory Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue to receive applications until the dean is selected. To ensure full consideration, nominations and applications should be submitted before June 28, 2021.

Questions and nominations can be directed in confidence to:
Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss, Search Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR)
thengmoss2@unl.edu
402-472-2707

Dr. Sherri Jones, Search Advisory Committee Co-Chair
Velma Warren Hodder Professor
Dean, College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS)
Sherri.jones@unl.edu
402-472-2913

Applicants should go to http://employment.unl.edu, requisition F_210058. Click “Apply to this Job,” complete the information form and attach a) a letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the position, anticipated contributions, personal vision, and the value that you place on diversity and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters; b) a detailed curriculum vitae; and c) the names of 3-5 professional references. References will be requested only of candidates who make the short list. All candidate information will be held in strict confidence until the final stage of the search at which time the express permission of finalists will be obtained before making their candidacy public. Candidates are urged to review all information and documents posted on the search website (https://ianr.unl.edu/dean-and-director-nebraska-extension).

UNL offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience.

The University of Nebraska is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment. UNL is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and included. 

As an EO/AA employer, qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See http://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.