Position Announcement

Vice President for Agriculture

The University of Tennessee invites applications and nominations for the position of Vice President for Agriculture. The Vice President is the chief academic and administrative officer of the Institute of Agriculture and is responsible for planning, implementing, and leading strong, progressive programs of excellence in the Institute, including UT Extension, the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The University of Tennessee, the state’s fast-moving flagship and land grant institution, is a Carnegie doctoral research extensive university. Bolstered by new TELS lottery scholarships, Tennessee attracts students who number among the best in the state, region, and nation. The Institute of Agriculture is headquartered on the Knoxville campus of the University, but has a strong presence in all 95 Tennessee counties. The Institute includes primary facilities on the attractive Knoxville campus and statewide facilities associated with eleven branch stations, four 4-H Centers, and three regional offices of UT Extension. The University’s impressive research facilities are complemented by those at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which the University operates through UT-Battelle. The University welcomes and honors people of all races, creeds, cultures and sexual orientations, and values intellectual curiosity, pursuit of knowledge, and academic freedom and integrity.

The Institute of Agriculture dates to 1869 when the University was designated as Tennessee’s Federal Land Grant institution. Following the enabling federal legislation, agriculture education programs expanded to include mission-oriented basic and applied research in agricultural sciences and natural resources, and extending this knowledge to the citizens of the state. Today, the Institute is home to 816 undergraduate and 210 graduate students, 277 professional Veterinary Medicine students, 579 professional staff, and 274 faculty.

Duties:

• Articulate a strategic vision and long-term goals for the Institute in keeping with the philosophy of the land-grant mission
• Provide direction and incentives for research, creative achievement and service
• Foster interdisciplinary approaches to undergraduate and graduate education
• Create innovative and effective programs across the four divisions of the Institute
• Ensure that the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station Extension services meet the agricultural and natural resources needs of the state
• Ensure that veterinary clinical and diagnostic services meet the needs of the state
• Nurture relationships with other University programs and with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Maintain a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with the chancellors of other UT campuses in the implementation of agricultural curricula and programs
• Increase enrollment and quality of undergraduate programs at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
• Establish and maintain productive relationships on behalf of the Institute with state government, agricultural industries, veterinary organizations and professionals, forest and natural resources industries and agencies, the Tennessee congressional delegation, and federal agencies
• Direct the recruitment, development and retention of excellent faculty, department heads, and deans
• Lead the Institute’s development activities

Qualifications:

• An earned terminal degree and evidence of scholarly, professional, or creative achievement sufficient for appointment as Full Professor in one of the units within the Institute
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to all aspects of diversity, affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunity
• A broad knowledge of agriculture, natural resources, veterinary medicine, and outreach activities
• Demonstrated leadership and abilities in the administration of higher education agricultural and/or veterinary medicine programs, with substantive experience, preferably in a large public and/or land grant institution within a multi-campus environment
• Ability to mobilize volunteers and stakeholders for the enhancement of the University
• Outstanding verbal, written and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability and skills in securing state appropriations and extramural funding
• Unquestioned personal integrity

Knoxville, Tennessee, is a thriving, diverse, urban community with numerous intellectual and cultural opportunities. Located along the Tennessee River and near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Big South Fork National Recreation Area, the metropolitan area offers a beautiful natural environment and bountiful outdoor recreation opportunities. The mild climate has four distinct seasons. The cost of living is among the nation's most affordable. Knoxville supports an opera company, a symphony orchestra, jazz, and an art museum, and serves as the medical center for East Tennessee.

Application Procedure:

Applications should be sent both in hard copy and electronic form (either on disk or as an e-mail attachment, preferably in Word format) to the address given below.

Applications should include:

1. A letter of interest addressing the qualifications
2. A comprehensive curriculum vitae
3. The names and contact information (addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses) of five references.

Send applications to:
Loren W. Crabtree
Chancellor
Chair, Search Committee for the Vice President for Agriculture
527 Andy Holt Tower
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 974-3265
E-mail: chancellor@utk.edu

Vice President for Agriculture Search Committee Members

The position will be open until filled, but to be assured of full consideration, all materials should be received by August 12, 2005.

The University of Tennessee does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or veteran status in provision of educational programs and services or employment opportunities and benefits. This policy extends to both employment by and admission to the University. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex or disability in its education programs and activities pursuant to the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Inquiries and charges of violation concerning Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, ADA or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) or any of the other above referenced policies should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498 (V/TTY available) or 974-2440. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the UTK Office of Human Resources, 600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37996-4125.