Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Apply NowCompany: The University of Vermont
Location: Burlington, VT 05401
Description:
Position Details
Posting Details
Position will be posted for a minimum of one week, after which it is subject to removal without notice.
Advertising Copy
The University of Vermont ( UVM ), one of the nation's premier public research universities, seeks an accomplished and inspiring academic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ( CALS ). This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a vital academic unit that engages in interdisciplinary programs and innovative research in agriculture, food systems and the broad range of life sciences to address emerging needs of society. The College seeks a dynamic, creative, visionary Dean who can lead the College into a collaborative and impactful future.
Enhanced by an array of physical resources that include research stations, farms, and horticultural facilities, the College plays an integral role in UVM's research and outreach missions. It also supports a wide range of interdisciplinary initiatives across the University, including the Institute for Agroecology, the Gund Institute for Environment, and graduate programs in food systems and ecological economics. Additionally, as home to the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station and UVM Extension, CALS helps communities across the state find innovative solutions to the challenges they face. In each of these dimensions, the work of CALS takes full advantage of Vermont's unique position as a living laboratory for agriculture and the life sciences. Next to the Larner College of Medicine, CALS faculty bring in more sponsored research funding than any other college at the University.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ( CALS )
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences educates community-driven innovators who are ready to address the human and environmental challenges of our time. CALS supports students who chart their own path through local engagement, entrepreneurial thinking, and applied research, to create healthy, resilient futures for people and planet.
CALS offers dynamic programs in life sciences, human and animal sciences, and social sciences. Foci include nutrition and food science, agriculture and landscape design, plant biology, applied economics, communications, entrepreneurship, sustainable and resilient communities, and the complex web of food systems.
While connected to agricultural education of the past, CALS programs address current and future issues that will affect Vermont, the nation, and the world. Enrolling nearly 1,400 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, and supported by ~120 faculty, the College's general fund budget is nearly $20 million.
As part of the University of Vermont, the state's flagship research and land-grant institution, CALS is charged with integrating higher education, research, and Extension to address the needs of Vermont's citizens, communities, and organizations. This is accomplished with research conducted through the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station ( AES ) and research-based education and internships provided by UVM Extension ( EXT ) faculty and staff. Both AES and EXT are housed within CALS .
Academic Programs
CALS is structured around six departments: Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment (formerly known as Plant & Soil Science); Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Community Development and Applied Economics; Nutrition and Food Sciences; Plant Biology; and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (which is shared with the Larner College of Medicine). It also includes two undergraduate interdisciplinary programs shared with other colleges: Biological Science, and Biochemistry. UVM was the first university in the country to offer a full complement of academic programs in Food Systems, from an undergraduate degree to a Ph.D. Undergraduates who major in this innovative, interdisciplinary program take classes in all six of the College's departments.
CALS' diverse selection of majors (14), along with wide-ranging minors (20) and concentrations (18), appeals to a broad audience of students interested in agriculture, basic science, applied science, or linking applied work to the social sciences. There also is a Self-Designed Bachelor of Science major in which students are encouraged to explore a diverse range of CALS -related learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, including internships and independent studies aligned with their interests.
CALS offers five doctoral programs and eight master's programs, in addition to cross-college interdisciplinary master's and doctoral programs in Food Systems. These include two professional Masters programs, Dietetics ( MSD ) and Public Administration ( MPA ).
More information on academics in CALS can be found here: https://www.uvm.edu/cals/departments_and_programs
Research
CALS has a growing research portfolio, with approximately $40 million in sponsored project funding in both 2022 and 2023. In 2019, the College was selected to lead a partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service ( ARS ). This designation as an ARS Center positions the College to lead exciting new research opportunities with researchers from the USDA .
The largest source of outside research funding is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ USDA , followed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/ NIH ; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; and the National Science Foundation. Capacity-building grants, including Hatch from the USDA and Smith-Lever, along with grants from the Renewable Resources Extension Act Program ( RREA ), and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program ( EFNEP ), are also important funding sources.
CALS maintains a number of off-campus research facilities that provide important resources to support faculty research and student research. There are four key agricultural facilities, including two sites of historical significance to both the University and the state:
Proctor Maple Research Center : This is a 197-acre Field Research Station for the Department of Plant Biology. Vermont is the country's largest producer of maple syrup, and Proctor has been a national leader since the early 1890s in cutting-edge maple research and technology. Research emphasizes the sugar maple tree and its products (sap and syrup), including techniques for efficient sap collection and evaporation systems to improve maple syrup quality. The Proctor Center's two major stands of sugar maple trees and a modern sugarhouse serve as a field classroom for students, scientists, and maple producers.
Morgan Horse Farm: The University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm has been a proud steward of the U.S. Government Morgan Horse bloodline since 1951, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture first bestowed the farm to the State of Vermont, which in turn entrusted it to the University. Since then, this 200-acre farm has raised over 850 UVM Morgans, educated over 220 student apprentices, and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Weybridge, Vermont campus.
Paul R. Miller Research and Educational Center ( MREC ) and Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center : Serving as a research site for UVM's Animal and Veterinary Sciences programs, the MREC supports a herd of more than 100 dairy animals plus 22 horses and 150 acres of farmland. In addition to dairy and equine science, research priorities at the site include biosecurity and safety. Students assume leadership roles in many activities, most notably the CREAM (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management) Program, a two- semester experiential learning program open to students across the University in which participants manage the dairy herd and learn about the scientific and business sides of farm operations. The Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center is run as a student cooperative and provides state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor riding facilities, access to a riding trail, and stalls for 22 horses. It is also an academic laboratory hosting numerous hands-on equine-focused courses.
The University of Vermont Horticultural Research and Education Center ( HREC ) : HREC is home to UVM's Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment programs, supporting research, teaching, and outreach activities regarding the production of Northern apples, grapes, forage, and grain, as well as pest management. The facility is a repository of ornamental plant species of interest to the horticulture industry. The Catamount Educational Farm was launched as part of the HREC in 2014 to provide opportunities for research on long-term soil fertility, crop planning, and sustainable agriculture. The Center grows over 50 varieties of apples and produces other fruits and vegetables for nearly 100 shares of Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs). Students manage many of the activities at the facility as a part of their education in farm operations.
Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station
The Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station (VT- AES ), created in 1886, is a state/federal partnership designed to address Vermont's agricultural issues through research. Currently led by Director Eric von Wettberg, VT- AES is comprised of approximately 40 faculty researchers across the CALS academic departments.
With many contemporary threats, agriculture and communities must be resilient and sustainable. This is the focus of VT- AES research. In FY23, Hatch and Hatch Multistate projects addressed agricultural viability, animal and human health, and food-systems, community systems, and eco-systems. The impact of climate change is embedded across VT- AES projects. For example, resilience of the environment is covered by projects addressing soil health, carbon sequestration and forest health, renewable energy, composting, water quality and crop diversity. Projects also address threats to the environment and agriculture posed by invasive pests, plants, and disease.
Dairy and maple are part of the Vermont story, but not all of it. In addition to these Vermont agricultural mainstays, VT- AES researchers are exploring novel and transitional crops such as hemp, saffron, perennial grains, and grapes, as well as broader seed systems and informal markets.
UVM Extension
UVM Extension, led by Associate Dean and Director Roy Beckford, is a team of approximately 119 permanent and 48 temporary employees - administrative staff, professors, researchers, and outreach educators - as well as hundreds of volunteers located throughout the state. Facilities include 11 field offices, a state office, one research farm, and an agricultural engineering lab. UVM Extension maintains an impressive portfolio of grants and contracts, comprising roughly 70% of its annual budget.
In the past year, UVM Extension educators directly engaged 34,905 community members through 840 evidence-based programs, delivering 4,741 hours of education. Thousands more received educational information through on-farm technical assistance, individualized consultation, and published and virtual content. Extension's highly successful 4-H and other youth development programs provided educational opportunities to more than 9,000 young people through experiential learning and community service in the areas of Science, Health and Civic Engagement. Extension's outreach initiatives empower residents with knowledge and resources, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience across Vermont.
The impact of these efforts is multifaceted. Currently, UVM Extension enhances the capabilities of local businesses and farmers, contributing to a robust economy while promoting sustainable practices that protect Vermont's unique landscapes. Looking to the future, the collaborative endeavors between extension professionals and communities will continually yield long-term socio-economic benefits. As the state grapples with climate change, food security, and planetary and public health issues, UVM Extension is poised to lead in research-driven solutions. This proactive engagement not only reaffirms the university's commitment to serving the public but also positions Vermont as a national model for community/university partnerships. Ultimately, UVM Extension is transforming lives today while laying the groundwork for a sustainable tomorrow. Visit UVM Extension's website to learn more.
Other Centers that deserve explicit mention:
Center for Rural Studies : The Center for Rural Studies ( CRS ) is a nonprofit, fee-for-service research and resource center that works with people and communities to address social, economic, and resource-based challenges.
Center for Sustainable Agriculture ( CSA ) (Extension): The Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Vermont advances sustainable food and farming systems in Vermont and beyond.
Entomology Research Laboratory : The Entomology Research Laboratory is committed to the development of effective biological control agents for forest, greenhouse, and vegetable insect pest management with an interdisciplinary approach.
Food Systems Research Center ( FSRC ) : A partnership between UVM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Agricultural Research Service ( ARS ) the FSRC's transdisciplinary approach prioritizes research that studies food systems, including the networks of people, institutions, physical infrastructure, and natural resources through which food is grown, processed, distributed, sold, prepared, and eaten.
Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety ( NECAFS ) (Extension): NECAFS is one of four USDA -funded regional centers tasked with coordinating training, education, and outreach related to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and the FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule.
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NE- SARE ) : The NE- SARE Program offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region.
Pringle Herbarium : A renowned botanical collection established in 1902, the Pringle Herbarium houses over 360,000 sheets of mounted plants and fungi and is the second largest herbarium in New England.
The Soil Health Research and Extension Center ( SHREC ) : SHREC is a cross-disciplina
Posting Details
Position will be posted for a minimum of one week, after which it is subject to removal without notice.
Advertising Copy
The University of Vermont ( UVM ), one of the nation's premier public research universities, seeks an accomplished and inspiring academic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ( CALS ). This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a vital academic unit that engages in interdisciplinary programs and innovative research in agriculture, food systems and the broad range of life sciences to address emerging needs of society. The College seeks a dynamic, creative, visionary Dean who can lead the College into a collaborative and impactful future.
Enhanced by an array of physical resources that include research stations, farms, and horticultural facilities, the College plays an integral role in UVM's research and outreach missions. It also supports a wide range of interdisciplinary initiatives across the University, including the Institute for Agroecology, the Gund Institute for Environment, and graduate programs in food systems and ecological economics. Additionally, as home to the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station and UVM Extension, CALS helps communities across the state find innovative solutions to the challenges they face. In each of these dimensions, the work of CALS takes full advantage of Vermont's unique position as a living laboratory for agriculture and the life sciences. Next to the Larner College of Medicine, CALS faculty bring in more sponsored research funding than any other college at the University.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ( CALS )
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences educates community-driven innovators who are ready to address the human and environmental challenges of our time. CALS supports students who chart their own path through local engagement, entrepreneurial thinking, and applied research, to create healthy, resilient futures for people and planet.
CALS offers dynamic programs in life sciences, human and animal sciences, and social sciences. Foci include nutrition and food science, agriculture and landscape design, plant biology, applied economics, communications, entrepreneurship, sustainable and resilient communities, and the complex web of food systems.
While connected to agricultural education of the past, CALS programs address current and future issues that will affect Vermont, the nation, and the world. Enrolling nearly 1,400 undergraduate and 200 graduate students, and supported by ~120 faculty, the College's general fund budget is nearly $20 million.
As part of the University of Vermont, the state's flagship research and land-grant institution, CALS is charged with integrating higher education, research, and Extension to address the needs of Vermont's citizens, communities, and organizations. This is accomplished with research conducted through the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station ( AES ) and research-based education and internships provided by UVM Extension ( EXT ) faculty and staff. Both AES and EXT are housed within CALS .
Academic Programs
CALS is structured around six departments: Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment (formerly known as Plant & Soil Science); Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Community Development and Applied Economics; Nutrition and Food Sciences; Plant Biology; and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (which is shared with the Larner College of Medicine). It also includes two undergraduate interdisciplinary programs shared with other colleges: Biological Science, and Biochemistry. UVM was the first university in the country to offer a full complement of academic programs in Food Systems, from an undergraduate degree to a Ph.D. Undergraduates who major in this innovative, interdisciplinary program take classes in all six of the College's departments.
CALS' diverse selection of majors (14), along with wide-ranging minors (20) and concentrations (18), appeals to a broad audience of students interested in agriculture, basic science, applied science, or linking applied work to the social sciences. There also is a Self-Designed Bachelor of Science major in which students are encouraged to explore a diverse range of CALS -related learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, including internships and independent studies aligned with their interests.
CALS offers five doctoral programs and eight master's programs, in addition to cross-college interdisciplinary master's and doctoral programs in Food Systems. These include two professional Masters programs, Dietetics ( MSD ) and Public Administration ( MPA ).
More information on academics in CALS can be found here: https://www.uvm.edu/cals/departments_and_programs
Research
CALS has a growing research portfolio, with approximately $40 million in sponsored project funding in both 2022 and 2023. In 2019, the College was selected to lead a partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service ( ARS ). This designation as an ARS Center positions the College to lead exciting new research opportunities with researchers from the USDA .
The largest source of outside research funding is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ USDA , followed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/ NIH ; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; and the National Science Foundation. Capacity-building grants, including Hatch from the USDA and Smith-Lever, along with grants from the Renewable Resources Extension Act Program ( RREA ), and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program ( EFNEP ), are also important funding sources.
CALS maintains a number of off-campus research facilities that provide important resources to support faculty research and student research. There are four key agricultural facilities, including two sites of historical significance to both the University and the state:
Proctor Maple Research Center : This is a 197-acre Field Research Station for the Department of Plant Biology. Vermont is the country's largest producer of maple syrup, and Proctor has been a national leader since the early 1890s in cutting-edge maple research and technology. Research emphasizes the sugar maple tree and its products (sap and syrup), including techniques for efficient sap collection and evaporation systems to improve maple syrup quality. The Proctor Center's two major stands of sugar maple trees and a modern sugarhouse serve as a field classroom for students, scientists, and maple producers.
Morgan Horse Farm: The University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm has been a proud steward of the U.S. Government Morgan Horse bloodline since 1951, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture first bestowed the farm to the State of Vermont, which in turn entrusted it to the University. Since then, this 200-acre farm has raised over 850 UVM Morgans, educated over 220 student apprentices, and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Weybridge, Vermont campus.
Paul R. Miller Research and Educational Center ( MREC ) and Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center : Serving as a research site for UVM's Animal and Veterinary Sciences programs, the MREC supports a herd of more than 100 dairy animals plus 22 horses and 150 acres of farmland. In addition to dairy and equine science, research priorities at the site include biosecurity and safety. Students assume leadership roles in many activities, most notably the CREAM (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management) Program, a two- semester experiential learning program open to students across the University in which participants manage the dairy herd and learn about the scientific and business sides of farm operations. The Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center is run as a student cooperative and provides state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor riding facilities, access to a riding trail, and stalls for 22 horses. It is also an academic laboratory hosting numerous hands-on equine-focused courses.
The University of Vermont Horticultural Research and Education Center ( HREC ) : HREC is home to UVM's Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment programs, supporting research, teaching, and outreach activities regarding the production of Northern apples, grapes, forage, and grain, as well as pest management. The facility is a repository of ornamental plant species of interest to the horticulture industry. The Catamount Educational Farm was launched as part of the HREC in 2014 to provide opportunities for research on long-term soil fertility, crop planning, and sustainable agriculture. The Center grows over 50 varieties of apples and produces other fruits and vegetables for nearly 100 shares of Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs). Students manage many of the activities at the facility as a part of their education in farm operations.
Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station
The Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station (VT- AES ), created in 1886, is a state/federal partnership designed to address Vermont's agricultural issues through research. Currently led by Director Eric von Wettberg, VT- AES is comprised of approximately 40 faculty researchers across the CALS academic departments.
With many contemporary threats, agriculture and communities must be resilient and sustainable. This is the focus of VT- AES research. In FY23, Hatch and Hatch Multistate projects addressed agricultural viability, animal and human health, and food-systems, community systems, and eco-systems. The impact of climate change is embedded across VT- AES projects. For example, resilience of the environment is covered by projects addressing soil health, carbon sequestration and forest health, renewable energy, composting, water quality and crop diversity. Projects also address threats to the environment and agriculture posed by invasive pests, plants, and disease.
Dairy and maple are part of the Vermont story, but not all of it. In addition to these Vermont agricultural mainstays, VT- AES researchers are exploring novel and transitional crops such as hemp, saffron, perennial grains, and grapes, as well as broader seed systems and informal markets.
UVM Extension
UVM Extension, led by Associate Dean and Director Roy Beckford, is a team of approximately 119 permanent and 48 temporary employees - administrative staff, professors, researchers, and outreach educators - as well as hundreds of volunteers located throughout the state. Facilities include 11 field offices, a state office, one research farm, and an agricultural engineering lab. UVM Extension maintains an impressive portfolio of grants and contracts, comprising roughly 70% of its annual budget.
In the past year, UVM Extension educators directly engaged 34,905 community members through 840 evidence-based programs, delivering 4,741 hours of education. Thousands more received educational information through on-farm technical assistance, individualized consultation, and published and virtual content. Extension's highly successful 4-H and other youth development programs provided educational opportunities to more than 9,000 young people through experiential learning and community service in the areas of Science, Health and Civic Engagement. Extension's outreach initiatives empower residents with knowledge and resources, fostering a culture of innovation and resilience across Vermont.
The impact of these efforts is multifaceted. Currently, UVM Extension enhances the capabilities of local businesses and farmers, contributing to a robust economy while promoting sustainable practices that protect Vermont's unique landscapes. Looking to the future, the collaborative endeavors between extension professionals and communities will continually yield long-term socio-economic benefits. As the state grapples with climate change, food security, and planetary and public health issues, UVM Extension is poised to lead in research-driven solutions. This proactive engagement not only reaffirms the university's commitment to serving the public but also positions Vermont as a national model for community/university partnerships. Ultimately, UVM Extension is transforming lives today while laying the groundwork for a sustainable tomorrow. Visit UVM Extension's website to learn more.
Other Centers that deserve explicit mention:
Center for Rural Studies : The Center for Rural Studies ( CRS ) is a nonprofit, fee-for-service research and resource center that works with people and communities to address social, economic, and resource-based challenges.
Center for Sustainable Agriculture ( CSA ) (Extension): The Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Vermont advances sustainable food and farming systems in Vermont and beyond.
Entomology Research Laboratory : The Entomology Research Laboratory is committed to the development of effective biological control agents for forest, greenhouse, and vegetable insect pest management with an interdisciplinary approach.
Food Systems Research Center ( FSRC ) : A partnership between UVM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Agricultural Research Service ( ARS ) the FSRC's transdisciplinary approach prioritizes research that studies food systems, including the networks of people, institutions, physical infrastructure, and natural resources through which food is grown, processed, distributed, sold, prepared, and eaten.
Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety ( NECAFS ) (Extension): NECAFS is one of four USDA -funded regional centers tasked with coordinating training, education, and outreach related to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and the FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Foods Rule.
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (NE- SARE ) : The NE- SARE Program offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region.
Pringle Herbarium : A renowned botanical collection established in 1902, the Pringle Herbarium houses over 360,000 sheets of mounted plants and fungi and is the second largest herbarium in New England.
The Soil Health Research and Extension Center ( SHREC ) : SHREC is a cross-disciplina