Department Head - Agricultural Economics

The Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics is charged with coordinating and promoting all aspects of our land-grant mission within the department. The incumbent provides leadership and oversight of all Agricultural Economics programming and initiatives.

Recognizing that diversity enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and Agricultural Economics are committed to creating learning, research, Extension programming, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of diversity. Consistent with the University’s N2025 Strategic Plan, every person and every interaction are treated as important to our collective well-being and our ability to deliver on our mission.

With 37 faculty members, the head 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 head 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 Agricultural Economics with input from faculty, staff, and stakeholders that encompasses all research areas. They seek and deploy personnel and financial resources strategically, and ensure that the strategic vision is continuously examined for relevancy and refreshed as needed.

Responsibilities
The head promotes excellence in all facets of the Department of Agricultural Economics by:

Culture, Climate, and Inclusive Excellence

• Fostering an inclusive culture within the department 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 the success of each person.
• Ensuring 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.

Strategic Visioning

• Leading the development and implementation of a shared vision and strategic plan integrated across teaching and learning; research, discovery and innovation; Extension, outreach, and community engagement; and public and professional service in the department that results in sustained impacts that are highly aligned with the unit’s strengths, IANR’s vision and mission, and for the benefit of Nebraska and beyond.
• Ensuring Agricultural Economics’ continued leadership in achieving UNL’s N2025 goals.
• Fostering a climate of curricular and pedagogical innovation across the continuum of learners to enhance student success and advance the unit’s strategic enrollment planning and implementation.
• Engaging, coordinating, and providing leadership as appropriate with the IANR Communities of Practice, especially in those communities of practice where departmental faculty have expertise that contributes to the expected outcomes and impacts of these communities (i.e., Drivers of Economic Vitality for Nebraska; Healthy Systems for Agricultural Production and Natural Resources; Healthy Humans).
• Communicating with transparency and clarity all aspects of departmental initiatives, operations, and challenges and opportunities with faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders.

Collaboration

• Supporting, coordinating, and partnering with departments/schools and other entities internal to the university that support and/or align with departmental programming and faculty expertise. Emphasis will be on enhancing collaboration with the departments of Agronomy and Horticulture, Animal Science, Biological Systems Engineering, Child Youth and Family Studies, Economics, Food Science and Technology, Nutrition and Health Sciences, and the School of Natural Resources to advance the unit’s strengths and IANR’s interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Partnering with IANR administrators, unit heads, and center directors (e.g., REEC’s) to promote and support collaborations and team building.
• Engaging and coordinating as appropriate with Extension and research program areas (e.g., 4-H Youth Development, Community Environment, Early Childhood, Livestock Systems, Rural Prosperity Nebraska, Water and Cropping Systems).
• Providing appropriate stewardship of the department’s relationship with the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and its director.
• Nurturing a strong and productive relationship with an advisory board for the department.
• Fostering linkages with external groups and industry partners to strengthen ties that advance the mission and vision of the department, IANR, and the university.

Resource, Personnel Management, and Advancement Activities

• Aligning and managing personnel, financial and physical resources responsibly to maximize the effectiveness of those resources, exhibiting fiscal discipline and transparency, and utilizing best management practices.
• Recruiting faculty, staff, and students to attract, develop, and retain a team exhibiting and valuing excellence.
• Providing appropriate stewardship of the unique partnerships with the Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance and its director.
• Providing oversight for the Commodity Trading Room, the Center for Agricultural Profitability, and other labs and learning centers within the department.
• Working with IANR’s expanded leadership team in donor engagement, fundraising, and stewardship to advance the department’s goals.
• Ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations regarding safety, and, if appropriate, the environment.
• Ensuring all programs of the department are administered in accordance with the university’s affirmative action/equal opportunity/diversity programs.

Nurturing Success of Faculty, Postdocs, Staff, and Students

• Encouraging and providing support for the professional development of the faculty, postdocs, staff, and students.
• Engaging in professional development to continually hone skills to effectively lead and manage departmental operations and initiatives, and to advance the mission of the department.
• Ensuring that guidance documents (e.g., operational procedures, bylaws, performance review standards) are relevant and up-to-date, and that they promote equity and inclusion in both their content and application.

Success in the role will be measured by the accomplishments and impacts of the faculty, staff, students, and programs of the department. The incumbent accepts committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Business, or closely related field.
• Accomplishments commensurate with a tenured faculty appointment in Agricultural Economics at the rank of full professor.
• Demonstrated ability to provide visionary leadership (including creating a shared vision and aligning resources to achieve strategic outcomes).
• A record of leadership and outcomes that demonstrate an abiding commitment to practices that enhance access, equity, inclusion, and belongingness.
• Exceptional skills in communication and interpersonal relations.

Preferred Qualifications

• A record of excellence in research, teaching, and/or Extension.
• An ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituencies.
• Evidence of navigating complex situations and making strategic decisions.
• Demonstrated encouragement and/or development of innovative activities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Sensitivity to the perspectives and values of students, staff, faculty, and stakeholders.

How to Apply: Click “Apply on Company Site” and complete the information form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the position, anticipated contributions, and vision.
• A statement describing your experience working in diverse teams or groups and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters (2 page maximum). See https://ianr.unl.edu/ongoing-searches for guidance in writing this statement. Attach as “Other Document.”
• A detailed curriculum vitae.
• 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.

Questions and nominations can be directed in confidence to the co-chairs of the search committee:

John Ruberson, Ph.D.
Head of Entomology
jruberson2@unl.edu
402-472-8683

Karina Schoengold, Ph.D.
Professor, Agricultural Economics
kschoengold2@unl.edu

For questions and assistance with submitting the application contact Rachel Szelag, Senior HR Specialist at rszelag2@unl.edu or by phone at (402) 472-5730.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants 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 https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person