Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) in its search for Dean, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

For full consideration, please apply by March 11, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. However, the position will remain open until filled and applications may be considered after the priority date. 
 
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a nationally respected, research-intensive leader to shape the future of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at North Carolina A&T State University, the nation’s largest HBCU and a top-flight doctoral research institution. As a flagship land-grant college central to the University’s Preeminence 2030 agenda, CAES is poised for significant expansion in research activity, doctoral education, innovation, and statewide engagement. Backed by unprecedented momentum, public investment, and the Chancellor’s full commitment to CAES as a top institutional priority, the next Dean will lead a modern, high-impact college advancing discovery, economic development, and transformational public service across North Carolina and beyond.

CAES has been a cornerstone of instructional excellence and impactful research since the University’s founding in 1891 and remains a major driver of institutional success. As one of only two land-grant universities in North Carolina, N.C. A&T’s prolific research output and transformative economic impact of $2.4 billion on the state have positioned the University for sustained public investment, expanding partnerships, and accelerated national prominence.

Highlights of this exceptional opportunity include:

• A flagship College at the forefront of N.C. A&T’s land-grant mission and Preeminence 2030 research growth strategy, with ambitious goals for research expenditures, faculty productivity, and doctoral education.
• Leadership of one of the largest and most nationally significant colleges of agriculture among 1890 land-grant universities, and the nation’s leading producer of African Americans earning degrees in agriculture.
• A major and growing research environment, with N.C. A&T generating $147 million annually in sponsored research funding and programs.
• Stewardship of a complex and well-resourced enterprise, including an annual budget of approximately $50.7 million.
• A thriving academic portfolio, encompassing four academic departments and more than 28 undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Extraordinary applied learning and research infrastructure, including the 581-acre University Farm, the largest in its 124-year history, supporting experiential education, innovation, and outreach.
• A deeply consequential statewide engagement mission, with Cooperative Extension housed within the College and serving as a key driver of community impact across North Carolina.
• A highly visible external leadership platform, with the Dean serving as CAES’s chief ambassador to industry, government, alumni, advisory boards, and philanthropic partners.
• A visionary Chancellor and Provost who view this deanship as one of the University’s most consequential leadership roles, with institution-wide influence and strategic importance.

The Dean serves as the chief executive officer of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, providing strategic and operational leadership for its academic programs, research enterprise, Cooperative Extension, and external engagement mission. Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean oversees an annual budget of approximately $50.7 million and leads a complex organization that includes associate and assistant deans, department chairs, and dedicated advancement and administrative support.

The Dean must bring deep knowledge of the history and role of 1890 land-grant universities; demonstrated excellence in leadership within the context of institutional change and significant research expansion; and a strong commitment to student success, faculty excellence, and inclusive innovation. The successful candidate will be an exemplary communicator, consensus-builder, and advocate, with the ability to cultivate partnerships that advance external funding, philanthropic investment, student career pathways, and statewide impact.

Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

• Develop and advance a strategic vision for the future of the College: The Dean will join the institution at an advantageous time as the University launches its new strategic plan, Preeminence 2030: North Carolina A&T Blueprint. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners, the Dean will help shape and advance a forward-looking vision for CAES—one that builds upon the College’s strengths in research, engagement, and inclusive excellence while positioning it for distinctive national and global impact.
• Facilitate growth in research and scholarship: As N.C. A&T expands its research productivity and national competitiveness, the Dean will be expected to support faculty scholarly endeavors, strengthen extramural funding, and enhance doctoral education. This includes fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, recruiting research-active faculty, expanding competitive graduate programs, and ensuring that the College continues to excel in both teaching and research. The Dean will cultivate an environment that supports a broad range of scholarly activity and innovation across all disciplines within the College.
• Support a culture of student success: The incoming Dean must set clear expectations for CAES to align its academic programs, resources, and student support systems to further strengthen retention, graduation outcomes, and career readiness. The Dean will promote a collaborative, student-centered environment that prepares graduates to lead in agriculture, environmental science, industry, research, and public service.
• Recruit and retain high quality faculty and staff and lead through change: The continued growth and excellence of the College will require sustained focus on the recruitment, retention, and development of outstanding faculty and professional staff. The Dean will build and support a strong leadership team of associate deans, department chairs, and key administrators, and will lead with integrity, transparency, and an understanding of the organizational and human dimensions of change management.    
• Champion a welcoming climate for all: The next Dean will appreciate and advance the legacy and mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, demonstrating a personal and professional commitment to equity, inclusion, and the equality of opportunity in education and employment. The Dean will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that CAES continues to foster an inclusive culture that supports excellence, belonging, and intercultural competency.
• Strengthen fundraising, alumni and corporate engagement, and enhance visibility for the College: The Dean will develop and lead strategies to expand philanthropic support, deepen alumni engagement, and strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and community stakeholders. Working closely with the College’s development officer and the University’s Division of Advancement, the Dean will grow the College’s endowment, secure major external investments, and elevate CAES’s visibility as a recognized leader in agriculture and environmental sciences.

For a complete list of expectations and responsibilities for the role, please see the complete Leadership Profile and Preeminence 2030: North Carolina A&T Blueprint.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Dean should possess a terminal degree from an accredited school and academic credentials suitable for the rank of full professor within the College; however, candidates with significant leadership experience outside of academia will also be considered if they demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to higher education and the future of agriculture and environmental sciences education and research.

• Ph.D. in agriculture, environmental sciences, or a related discipline from an accredited institution 
• Qualifications appropriate for an appointment to the faculty as a tenured full professor.
• At least three years of significant senior leadership and administrative experience, in addition to academic service; and
• Experience as the chief officer (dean, chair/head, director), president or similarly ranked senior management position.
• Evidence working with agricultural extension.
• Excellent budget management skills.
• Successful record of fundraising.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience and knowledge of holistic student success, including academic and career development.
• Demonstrated success in extramural research funding, high-quality education and curriculum design.
• Evidence of formal leadership development.
• A strong record of effective organization and administration skills with demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Evidence working across disciplines outside of agriculture and environmental sciences.
• A commitment to student learning and promoting a culture that values diversity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of academic leadership and administrative experience.
• Strong record as a visionary, dynamic and collaborative leader.
• Evidence of ability to position the University’s assets and capabilities to advance the College, expand research, including competitive, extramural research, and elevate student success using an evidence-based, data-informed approach.

A successful candidate for this position will demonstrate skills and knowledge related to partnering with University Advancement.

About North Carolina A&T State University  

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) is a top-flight doctoral research institution and the nation’s largest historically Black university. An 1890 land-grant university within the University of North Carolina System, N.C. A&T is nationally recognized for excellence in STEM education, research, and inclusive student success. With an enrollment of more than 15,000 students, the University offers a broad portfolio of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs and serves as one of North Carolina’s leading public research engines.

N.C. A&T is in an exciting period of growth and transformation, guided by its strategic plan, Preeminence 2030: North Carolina A&T Blueprint, and supported by a rapidly expanding research enterprise that generates $147 million annually in sponsored research funding and programs. The University’s impact is profound, contributing more than $2.4 billion annually to the North Carolina economy and advancing innovation and opportunity across the state and beyond.
 
About the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is a nationally recognized leader in agricultural education, research, and community engagement, and a flagship driver of N.C. A&T’s land-grant mission. Home to four academic departments and more than 28 undergraduate and graduate programs, CAES is the largest agriculture school among all 1890 land-grant universities and the nation’s leading producer of African Americans earning degrees in agriculture.

The College provides exceptional opportunities for applied learning, innovation, and public impact through its expansive University Farm, an approximately 581-acre working farm and living laboratory supporting experiential education, research, and outreach. Cooperative Extension, housed within CAES, serves as a vital statewide resource, advancing community partnerships, innovation for small and mid-sized farms, youth development, and economic mobility across North Carolina.

Living in the Area 

N.C. A&T is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, the state’s third-largest city and a dynamic hub in the Piedmont Triad region. Centrally positioned between the mountains and the coast, Greensboro offers an outstanding quality of life with easy access to major interstate highways and a nearby international airport.

Greensboro is also a vibrant educational and cultural community, home to multiple colleges and universities, a growing economy, and a welcoming mix of arts, athletics, and outdoor amenities. With a strong sense of community and a cost of living that remains accessible, the region provides an exceptional setting for academic, professional, and family life. 

For additional information about N.C. A&T, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and the Greensboro area, please see the complete Leadership Profile.

To Apply  

For full consideration, please apply by March 11, 2026. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. However, the position will remain open until filled and applications may be considered after the priority date. 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. 

Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially. 

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially. 

Inquiries and questions: Please send to NCATDeanCAES@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees’ name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com  
  
Institutional Information
North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.