Agribusiness & Food Industry Management/Ag Science, Assistant Professor

Tenure Track Faculty Position

Agribusiness & Food Industry Management – Ag Science

Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure track faculty ASSISTANT PROFESSOR position in Department of Agribusiness & Food Industry Management/Agricultural Science in an area related to the study and/or promotion of Agribusiness and Food Industry Management.

Cal Poly Pomona is one of three polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona students have participated in an integrative experiential learning education that is inclusive, relevant, and values diverse perspectives and experiences. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the university is well known for its learn-by-doing approach and Teacher Scholar Model. 

The university is noted for its scenic and historic 1,400-acre campus, which was once the winter ranch of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the territorial and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. The university’s nearly 30,000 students are taught and mentored by the campus’s more than 1,400 faculty as part of 54 Baccalaureate and 29 Master’s degree programs, 11 credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership. 

Highly regarded among its peer institutions, Cal Poly Pomona is No. 3 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of top public regional universities in the west and was named the No. 28 best value college in the nation by Money Magazine. Cal Poly Pomona, a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, stands as a national leader in promoting social mobility, and was placed among the 25 top institutions in the country in awarding bachelor’s degrees to minoritized students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education.  

The Cal Poly Pomona campus is located less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It is within an hour’s drive of beaches, mountains and deserts. For additional information about the university, please visit www.cpp.edu, and for more about faculty life, please see YourLife@CPP.

Student Population.  California residents comprise the majority (96%) of applicants to undergraduate programs at Cal Poly Pomona – nearly half (49%) of new students were transfers in Fall 2020.  58% of Cal Poly Pomona students are first generation, 70% receive financial aid, and 44% qualify as Pell-eligible.  The university enrolls a diverse student body that identifies as 49% Latinx, 21% Asian, 15% White, 3% Black, 5% International, 3% two or more races, 3% unknown, and less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Native Pacific Islander and less than 1% Native American Indigenous. 39% of the student body were STEM majors with the top enrolled programs including psychology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, biology and computer science.

Inclusive Excellence Criteria.  We aspire to be the model inclusive polytechnic university in the nation. We have a strong commitment to inclusive excellence and to educational experiences that leverage the diverse perspectives and experiences needed to succeed and thrive in a diverse society. 

Tenure track faculty hires will demonstrate a commitment and record of contributions through their teaching, scholarship, or service to these inclusive excellence criteria (a minimum of two must be addressed in the Student Success Statement):

1. Integrates the values of equity and inclusivity into their teaching, scholarship and/or service contributions with diverse student populations;

2. Incorporates the contributions and struggles of historic ethnic minority groups and communities into their teaching, scholarly work, and/or service contributions;

3. Adopts teaching strategies that support the learning and success of students from diverse student populations;

4. Mentors and engages diverse student populations in discovery, scholarship, and creative activities;

5. Engages students in problem-based projects and learning that address the needs of diverse communities;

6. Possesses knowledge of challenges and barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline;

7. Mentors and assists diverse student populations interested in pursuing graduate education;

8. Engages in community-responsive action research or service with diverse student populations and communities;

9. Has experience in or demonstrates a commitment to adopting experiential learning activities and pedagogy with diverse student populations and communities; and

10. Has expertise in or demonstrated commitment to teaching, scholarship and/or service that contributes to access, diversity, and equal opportunity in higher education.

Huntley College of Agriculture: The Huntley College of Agriculture was founded in 1938 and is the second-largest by enrollment of five agricultural colleges in California. It is the sole provider of comprehensive agricultural programs focusing on the needs of the $1 trillion Southern California economy and its 21 million people. The College provides a unique integrative approach to agricultural education that recognizes the strong disciplinary interdependencies related to professional orientation and culture, basic societal needs, lifestyles, and social and environmental responsibility. The College is well positioned to meet the expanding demand for qualified graduates in highly specialized fields within the agricultural, food, fiber, ornamental, and animal industries. With an enrollment of over 2,100, which has grown over the last decade, the College has evolved in step with changing urban agricultural education needs. The faculty recognizes the need for change and has continued to develop a vision for its future.

College distinctions include: 

• One of four California State University campuses sharing dedicated state funds for the Agricultural Research Institute
• Largest four-year degree-granting College of Agriculture Hispanic Serving Institution in the U.S.
• Second largest accredited animal health science program in North America
• One of the largest animal and veterinary science undergraduate programs in the U.S. 
• The only department-based apparel program in California and one of only 13 nationwide to be endorsed by the American Apparel & Footwear Association 
• $8 million state-of-the-art urban agriculture facility, AGRIscapes 
• Home of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center 

For further information, visit the College website at: http://www.cpp.edu/~agri/.

Department of Agribusiness & Food Industry Management/Agricultural Science includes majors in Agribusiness & Food Industry Management and Agricultural Science, and an M.S. degree in Agricultural Science as well as minors in Agribusiness Management and International Agricultural Business Management. The Department serves approximately 220 diverse undergraduate students. Our department is committed to the success of its diverse students, which we are able to do through engagement in the polytechnic model of education. We fully stand behind the learn through doing, and learn through experience model. Resources available to the program include a 1,550-acre diversified farming laboratory/operation; AGRIscapes, a center including classrooms and 40,000 sq. ft. of modern greenhouses; a Farm Store open to the public, and available for class activities; strong industry support; and several decades of alumni who provide internships and scholarships for students. 

The faculty consists of four tenured/tenure-track faculty members and a number of lecturers. Faculty members in the department are working on a wide range of topics. We work on urban agriculture research questions, including farmer’s market research, aquaponic and hydroponic production, and community agriculture.  We are involved with topics of food and agriculture technology, including artificial intelligence, robots in service, and managing the supply chain using blockchain. Our interests also include those related to food policy, food waste, compensatory consumption, cost production studies on conventional and organic crops, and other topics. 

The Department believes in the polytechnic education model, involving real-world learning in and out of the classroom. Faculty are involved with several student marketing competitions and bring students to different trade shows, including the Fresh Produce & Floral Expo, and National Grocers Association convention.  

Position description: 

The new faculty member will be a tenure track Assistant Professor in the Agribusiness and Food Industry Management (ABM) major. Their duties will include Teaching, Service, and Scholarship & Research: Details of each are explained below.

Teaching:  The new faculty member will be expected to teach courses within the Agribusiness and Food Industry Management curriculum. The new faculty member will be expected to participate in undergraduate student advising and supervise undergraduate and graduate research projects. There are also opportunities for the development of new coursework, at both the undergraduate and graduate level.  

Service:  The new faculty member will demonstrate a commitment to university service and will be expected to participate in departmental curriculum development, program assessment and development, as well as department, college, and university service through committee work, shared governance, and/or other related service as described in the Department’s Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion (RTP) Document.

Research/Scholarship:  The new faculty member will be expected to produce research/scholarly activities and publish peer-reviewed journal articles within the area of expertise. The new faculty member will also be expected to pursue external funding, and seek collaborations with faculty members in the department as well as other departments. Pursuing opportunities to increase emphasis on research/scholarship and substitute assigned teaching load through external funding support is highly encouraged.

California Agricultural Leadership Foundation: The successful candidate may have the opportunity to participate in the coordination of the California Agriculture Leadership Program seminars at Cal Poly Pomona.

The California Agricultural Leadership Program is a 17-month fellowship in leader development provided by four partner universities including Cal Poly Pomona. Monthly seminars and travel programs offer a curriculum focused on leadership theory, strategic agility, effective communication, motivation, critical thinking, change management, emotional intelligence and other skills that contribute to improved performance, and immersion into complex social and cultural issues.

Inclusive and Diversity: Applicants whose work demonstrates a commitment to inclusive excellence and diversity in higher education are particularly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Requirements Include:

• Ph.D. or D.B.A. in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business, Agricultural Leadership, Rural Sociology or closely related field from an accredited university at time of appointment.  
• A commitment and a record of contributions to student success through applicant’s teaching, scholarship, or service.  This will be described in the Student Success Statement, which must address at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria listed above. 

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Higher Education teaching experience
• Evidence of teaching excellence through the development of course syllabi, a strong teaching philosophy, and/or positive student evaluations
• Ability and willingness to teach in one of the disciplines taught in the agribusiness major: policy and economics, accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Research experience
• Evidence of scholarly potential (publications in peer-reviewed journals, working papers, scholarly presentations)
• Grant writing experience
• Professional work experience in either the public or private sector
• Training in agriculture leadership, or an interest in receiving such training 

Conditions of Employment:

The person offered this position is required to pass a background check.

The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ . Questions regarding the policy may be sent to avpfa@cpp.edu.

Application Process:

A completed application will consist of

• Cover letter in which you describe your interest in the position, relevant experience, and how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications;
• A Student Success Statement (up to 2 pages, single-spaced) about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population.  Please address at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria listed above;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Teaching Philosophy statement (2 page max);
• Research Statement (2 page max);
• The names and contact information for at least three individuals that can serve as references;
• Unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, official transcripts will be required of finalists);

Finalists for the position will: 

• be required to provide official transcripts for highest degree before the on-campus interview; 
• be required to provide three letters of reference dated within the last two years; 
• Final candidates being interviewed are expected to make a presentation of creative work and a teaching demonstration to faculty and interact with students. 

The position is open until filled. First consideration will be given to completed applications received no later than August 31, 2022.  

Please direct inquiries to rawilson@cpp.edu

Applications accepted only via PageUp – online application portal – for University hires.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. The university seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of California, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing. Cal Poly Pomona subscribes to all state and federal regulations and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and covered veteran status. The university hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. As required by the Clery Disclosure Act, the university prepares a public annual security report.