INTRODUCTION

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics within the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, at the University of Connecticut in Storrs (UConn) invites applications for the position of Department Head with an appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor. We seek a highly organized and well-respected individual as Department Head to provide leadership and coordinate teaching, research, and extension for a highly ranked and productive department in alignment with the strategic plans for the College and the University. This is a full-time, nine-month, tenured position with an additional month of compensated service in this administrative role. The successful candidate must meet University requirements for appointment at the rank of Full Professor or be an accomplished Associate Professor with qualifications meriting promotion to Full Professor within the next few years. Active engagement in teaching, research, and/or extension programs is expected.

The Department Head serves as a leader and advocate for Agricultural and Resource Economics at UConn, fostering excellence within the department and representing it to external partners and stakeholders. As the departmental administrative officer, the Department Head reports directly to the Dean.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. The university is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes seven campuses across the state: Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, Storrs, and Waterbury, the Law School in Hartford, and UConn Health in Farmington. UConn has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including more than 24,000 undergraduates and nearly 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn Extension reaches over 175,000 residents through over 500 programs, connecting with communities in all 169 of Connecticut’s cities and towns. UConn faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research, teaching, creative work, and extension programs, advancing discovery across disciplines and generating high societal impact. UConn’s dedicated staff provide the expertise and support that sustain the university’s mission and advance institutional achievement.

The University of Connecticut is dedicated to excellence demonstrated through national and international recognition. Through freedom of academic inquiry and expression, UConn creates and disseminates knowledge by means of scholarly and creative achievements, graduate and professional education, and community engagement. With a focus on teaching and learning, the University helps every student grow intellectually and become a contributing member of the state, national, and world communities. Through research, teaching, extension, and service, UConn promotes the health and well-being of Connecticut’s citizens through enhancing the social, economic, cultural and natural environments of the state and beyond.

In 2024, the University adopted its strategic plan, Envisioning 2034, with three major goals: promoting holistic student success, expanding research impact, and powering a thriving Connecticut. To learn more, visit https://strategicplan.uconn.edu/.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) is located on UConn’s Storrs campus with teaching, research, and extension activities reaching across the state. CAHNR faculty, staff, and students explore the interrelationships among food, natural resources, and human, plant and animal health, seeking to connect them in a manner that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

The College evolved from the original Storrs Agricultural School, established in 1881. As Connecticut’s Land-Grant University, UConn has federal and state mandates to carry out the tripartite mission of teaching, research, and extension. As such, CAHNR is the home of UConn Extension, part of the national Cooperative Extension System. UConn Extension reaches over 175,000 residents through over 500 programs, connecting with communities in all 169 of Connecticut’s cities and towns. The College consists of eight academics departments offering 17 undergraduate majors and 23 undergraduate minors, along with several PhD, MS, and graduate certificate programs. It is also the home to innovative interdisciplinary research and clinical centers.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) is a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive community of undergraduates, graduate students from diverse backgrounds, postdoctoral scholars, and nationally recognized faculty. The Department’s teaching and research focus on the economics and policy of food, health, the environment, and international development, emphasizing real-world problems, practical applications, and policy relevance. The Department also houses the Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy, a research and outreach center that advances its mission. UConn’s ARE Department ranks among the top 26 worldwide and top 20 in the United States among Agricultural Economics Departments. In addition to its long-established Ph.D. and master’s programs, the Department recently launched an entrepreneurial 4+1 master’s program for outstanding ARE undergraduates, as well as two undergraduate majors. The Department is located on UConn’s Storrs campus, within convenient access to Hartford, Boston, and New York City. For additional information, visit us at http://www.are.uconn.edu.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide Leadership and promote the excellence of our multi-faceted teaching, research, extension, and service activities.
• Drives strategic growth and innovation across undergraduate and graduate programs, enhancing enrollment, academic excellence, and program visibility.
• Support existing and lead development of new entrepreneurial initiatives to grow the department
• Teach one undergraduate course and participate in research and/or extension programs.
• Mentor and support faculty, staff, and graduate students in their academic and professional development, including pursuing external funding opportunities.
• Develop and implement effective recruitment and retention programs to increase undergraduate and graduate student enrollment.
• Serve as a team-builder to encourage interactions among faculty within the department and among departments to achieve individual and departmental goals.
• Represent and promote the department within the college, the university, and the state, as well as at the national and international levels.
• Acquire and maintain current knowledge of all relevant campuses, college, and union policies and procedures, and develop appropriate policies as required.
• Manage administrative responsibilities for academic, personnel, and fiscal affairs.
• Collaborate with the CAHNR Foundation Development team to support fundraising and donor engagement efforts to increase Foundation funds which can be used to support departmental initiatives. 
• Oversee department facilities to ensure efficient operation and alignment with program needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and CAHNR missions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Ph.D. degree in Agricultural, Development, or Resource Economics, Economics, or a closely related discipline.
2. Record of outstanding and nationally recognized scholarship and professional activities related to teaching, research, and/or extension or outreach that will qualify the individual to be tenured at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
3. Record of leadership and active engagement in an elected or appointment-based leadership position in a professional setting.
4. Interpersonal and communication skills.
5. Record of successfully mentoring and advising students.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Leadership experience in developing departmental initiatives.
2. Administrative experience at an academic department engaged in teaching, research, extension, and service activities at a land-grant university.
3. Experience and interest in developing entrepreneurial programs, including fee- or revenue-based degrees and/or online certificates.
4. Significant record of success in obtaining extramural funding from nationally competitive research programs, foundations, private, or other donors.
5. Nationally and internationally recognized record of scholarship in research, teaching, or extension.
6. Demonstrated record of effective engagement and relationship-building with stakeholders, industry partners, and/or donors.
7. Full professorship or equivalence in Agricultural, Development, or Resource Economics, Economics, or a closely related discipline.

APPOINTMENT TERM

This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month position with a 10^th month of service in this administrative capacity. The anticipated start date is August 23, 2026. The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) is willing to accommodate an earlier summer start date in consultation with the selected candidate. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s experience and record of achievement.

The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499239 and submit the following application materials:

• Cover letter that addresses how your experience meets the minimum and preferred qualifications (maximum of two pages)
• Curriculum Vitae (must include a list of publications, grants received, and records of teaching, extension and/or service)
• Leadership Statement summarizing how you will provide innovative leadership for CAHNR Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and how you will contribute to the department’s success (maximum of two pages)
• Names and contact information for at least three references. References will only be contacted for applicants that are identified as finalists.

Review of applications will start December 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Send inquiries about this position to the search committee chair, Rigoberto.Lopez@uconn.edu.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.