Three semi-finalists vying for the position of dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will visit campus over the next two weeks to meet with students, faculty and staff.
The search for the new dean began after executive director for agricultural programs and outgoing dean Johnny Wynne announced his retirement in November, which will be effective July 1. While a 20-person nominating committee has been narrowing down the semi-finalist list for months, these candidate visits marks the first time these choices have been open for public review.
According to the position’s job description, the dean’s purpose is to provide direction for the college and engage with the outside community.
“The dean must have the ability to provide visionary and innovative direction for the college while providing forward-thinking leadership for the faculty, staff and students… As an institutional leader, the dean will be responsible for building coalitions and promoting outreach efforts that engage the University in responding to statewide, national and international issues,” the job description stated.
According to Jonathon Smith, nominating committee member and senior in agricultural education, student leaders with CALS will have an opportunity to have lunch with each candidate and provide feedback to Provost Warwick Arden. Another way students can get involved is by attending the open forum scheduled the second day of each candidates’ visit.
During the open forums, Smith said the candidates will have a chance to explain their vision for the future of CALS as related to the University’s Strategic Plan, with a Q&A session to follow.
“We need somebody that embodies a passion for life sciences, a vision to take the college to the next level, somebody that’s not going to back down but go forward, somebody that we can relate to and that wants to get involved with students, faculty and staff, and also somebody who can bring North Carolina agriculture to a new level,” Smith said.
Abbi Davis, a graduate student in livestock and poultry management, said she plans to attend all the open forums. She said she wants the new dean to be able to handle the intricacies of the college, including extension programs and research, but the most important thing is working well with students.
“One of the biggest problems we have on this campus is we don’t have anywhere to go when we’re having issues,” Davis said. “I would like most, as a student, to either be able to make an appointment or walk into the office with a problem or an issue that I’m having and sit down and have them discuss it with me, but treat me like a person.”
Fred Yelverton, a professor and extension specialist of crop science and nominating committee member, said the committee members were very focused on each candidate’s long-term leadership potential.
