Associate Dean and Director, Extension and Outreach

University of Illinois
Urbana, IL
Date Posted:  January 24, 2025
Closing Date:  June 1, 2025

Position Overview

The associate dean and director, Extension and outreach, provides leadership, vision and strategic direction for statewide public outreach and research-based education to advance the land-grant mission of the University of Illinois. Specifically, the associate dean and director, University of Illinois Extension and outreach will:

  • Provide visionary leadership that addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with major program initiatives, including outreach programs to promote the initiatives of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
  • Integrate Extension outreach with campus faculty, internal or external to the College
    of ACES, involved by promoting collaboration with the statewide network of county
    directors and Extension educators to provide high impact educational, research or
    outreach programs.
  • Work effectively with University of Illinois administrators; state and national leaders;
    industry leaders, growers, and producers; non-profit and private organizations and
    government agencies, to deliver programs, report accomplishments, and develop
    and obtain new revenue streams that will enhance Extension’s ability to address
    emerging opportunities.
  • Maintain close working relations with state and county governments and local
    Extension Councils, and provide leadership for developing relations with Federal
    government organizations.
  • Lead and provide direction for all aspects of University of Illinois Extension,
    including budget and grant management, staffing, field operations and
    programming. Provide oversight for off-campus facilities including three regional
    offices and 27 units serving all 102 counties.
  • Provide leadership to state and federal grant-funded programs (e.g., Supplemental
    Nutrition Assistance Program –Education, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education
    Program).
  • Work to increase visibility and program outreach in urban areas in Illinois as well as
    develop cooperation and understanding between urban/rural needs and access to
    Extension’s resources and opportunities.
  • Actively participate and represent University of Illinois Extension in state and
    national meetings to further the University of Illinois Extension’s outreach objectives
    and new initiatives.
  • Participate as a member of the ACES Executive Administrative Team in college-level
    decision making, serve in an advisory capacity to the dean concerning resource
    allocation, sabbatical leave, strategic planning, program prioritization, responses to
    university level requests and initiatives, and other initiatives.
  • Comply with Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity and Access policies and
    guidelines in commitment to achieving a diverse workforce.

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must have a doctorate in a relevant field of study and demonstrate a record of scholarly activity commensurate for either the rank of professor in the tenure-track promotion system or clinical professor in the specialized faculty system at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Preferred Qualifications:

Proven Leadership in Extension and Engagement

  • Demonstrated track record in administration and vision for Extension and/or
    public engagement as university-wide priorities.
  • Ability to leverage faculty expertise across ACES departments and other colleges to advance Extension’s strategic goals.

Strategic Collaboration and Advocacy

  • Capacity to act as a compelling partner within the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign campus and with external constituencies to enhance visibility and impact.
  • Evidence of productive collaboration with academic leaders and external stakeholders on Extension and engagement initiatives.

Visionary and Strategic Planning

  • Demonstrated ability to articulate and implement innovative organizational visions.
  • Skilled in translating institutional strategies into actionable goals with prioritized short- and long-term objectives.

Organizational and Fiscal Leadership

  • Expertise in navigating complex organizational, political, and fiscal challenges typical of public research universities.
  • Experience in improving practices, advocating for resources, and managing complex budgets.
  • Success in securing grants and mission-aligned revenue.

Innovative and Inclusive Leadership

  • Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team of professional and support staff.
  • Skilled in change management, conflict resolution, and consensus building, with a transparent, team-oriented leadership style.

Philanthropy and External Funding

  • Ability to collaborate with college and university leaders to build philanthropic support for Extension and engagement priorities.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

  • Evidence of success in working with diverse populations across race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, abilities, and other dimensions.

Knowledge of Trends and Innovation

  • Current understanding of Extension service issues and trends.
  • Ability to integrate digital engagement strategies alongside traditional methods to meet evolving needs.

Land-Grant University Expertise

  • Knowledge of and/or experience with disciplines relevant to Illinois Extension programs.
  • Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service at a land-grant university.