Search begins for dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences

Penn State has announced a national search for the next dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. William Easterling, dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, will chair the search committee, and Korn/Ferry International will assist in the search.

Former Dean Bruce McPheron assumed the role of vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State on Nov. 1, 2012. Barbara Christ, senior associate dean and professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, currently is serving as interim dean.

The dean is the leader of one of the largest integrated academic and outreach units of its kind in American higher education, and is responsible for planning, budgeting, implementing and evaluating its integrated programs of resident instruction, research, continuing education and cooperative extension. With research expenditures approaching $97 million annually, the college is one of the most research-active among its peer institutions.

“Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has earned an international reputation for providing leading research, degree programs and extension education,” said Rob Pangborn, interim executive vice president and provost. “The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking, visionary leader capable of building upon the college’s significant regional and global impact in the food, environmental and socioeconomic sectors.”

Each year, the college serves nearly 3,600 students across its nine academic departments. Through its cooperative extension programs, the college has a presence in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, providing broad and crucial services and educational outreach to the state’s agriculture industry.

Applications, nominations and inquiries should be sent to psu-agsci@kornferry.com by March 15.