Associate/Full Professor & Department Head

About the role

The Department Head provides academic, research, and administrative leadership for the Department of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources at Prairie View A&M University. The position carries a 50% research expectation, requiring an active externally funded research program, regular publications, and graduate student mentorship while overseeing all departmental operations.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for departmental programs, initiatives, and resources.
• Manage human, fiscal, and material resources in alignment with college and university priorities.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, system regulations, state and federal laws, and accreditation standards.
• Represent the department to internal and external stakeholders, including professional organizations and funding agencies.
• Maintain an active, externally funded research portfolio, publish in peer‑reviewed journals, and present at conferences.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research and scholarship.
• Support faculty research excellence, collaborate across departments, and enhance the department’s national and international visibility.
• Lead faculty and staff, conduct annual performance evaluations, and oversee recruitment, hiring, promotion, and tenure processes.
• Oversee academic programs, curricula, program review, and accreditation compliance to ensure student success and career readiness.

Required profile

• Proven academic leadership experience, preferably as a department chair or senior faculty member.
• Strong record of externally funded research and scholarly publications.
• Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
• Ability to manage budgets, personnel, and resources effectively.
• Knowledge of university policies, accreditation standards, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication and representation skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to fostering collaboration, shared governance, and a culture of research excellence.

Required skills