Position Summary
The Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for Department Chairperson. The department seeks a dynamic and creative leader who will strategically focus the intellectual resources of our faculty, students, and staff. The Department’s size, multi-disciplinary focus, and demonstrated commitment to the land-grant philosophy represent a substantial opportunity for a leader with the vision and desire to broaden our impacts across the Great Lakes region, the nation, and the globe. A major attraction for a new chair and what will make us unique from other institutions is the number, size and scope of our specialty crop industries and the extensive partnerships we have with industry (GREEEN, Agriculture Resiliency and Michigan Tree Fruit Commission as examples) that translate to unique opportunities for faculty. The position is a full-time, 12-month tenure system appointment.
The Chairperson will provide leadership and mentoring of the Department in all teaching, research, Extension, and outreach programs, including the extensive gardens associated with the department. The Chairperson is expected to maintain and enhance a creative, productive, and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students, and serve as the principal representative and advocate of the Department with authority and responsibility for administrative decisions. The Chairperson reports directly to the Dean of the CANR, and interacts with senior leadership of the College, MSU Extension, MSU AgBioResearch, and commodity stakeholders.
Key responsibilities of the Chairperson are to:
- Provide leadership for advancing and articulating the mission, vision, and values of the Department within the broader mission of CANR and MSU;
- Foster a culture of transparency and equity that supports the success of a large, diverse, and inclusive community of faculty, staff, and students;
- Promote a collaborative attitude that fosters collegiality, civility, and respect among peers, staff and students in classrooms and the work environment;
- Work cooperatively within the departmental governance structure (e.g., faculty-elected advisory committee);
- Recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, and promote faculty, student and staff development with transparency and empathy;
- Supervise staff positions that require annual reviews, goal setting, leadership, and consistent oversight;
- Manage and administer the Department budget, allocate resources equitably, and provide leadership in the procurement of financial and structural resources necessary to enable the Department’s success;
- Serve as liaison and advocate for the Department within the larger governance structure of the College and University, and with other Departments and Colleges;
- Promote the Department’s teaching, research, Extension, and outreach programs to state, regional, national and international audiences;
- Maintain and enhance existing relationships with stakeholders, commodity groups, and donors.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -plant science or closely related field
Desired Degree
Other -Horticulture
Minimum Requirements
Qualified candidates must:
(a) have earned a doctorate in horticulture, plant science, or closely-related discipline and meet the requirements for tenure at the rank of full professor in the Department of Horticulture at MSU;
(b) have experience in administration of personnel, budgets, and programs;
(c) demonstrate outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to lead a diverse community;
(d) have the ability to communicate effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, stakeholders, donors, and other groups, and
(e) demonstrate a commitment to fostering a positive culture, fair access to resources, and creating a sense of belonging in the Horticulture community, including in a range of academic and professional activities.
Desired Qualifications
Desired qualifications include:
- An outstanding record of achievement, including a demonstrated record of teaching, research and/or Extension scholarship, service, leadership, team building and collaboration, and developing and fostering partnerships.
- Experience administering a large, multidisciplinary team with a variety of appointments and assignments.
- Experience overseeing academic department budgets, an ability to garner additional funds and resources for programs and experience with advancement and development.
- Experience building capacities with horticultural industries through integrated programs in research, education, and outreach and engagement, consistent with the land-grant mission.
- Experience securing financial support from external donors (e.g., gifts, endowments, capitol campaign development).
Required Application Materials
(1) a letter of interest that includes a vision statement and administrative philosophy for the department, an explanation of how your experience aligns with the role, and how you would contribute to our positive culture, fair access to resources, and creating a sense of belonging (five page maximum).
(2) a complete curriculum vitae.
Candidates selected for initial interviews will be asked to provide contact information for five references.
Special Instructions
Questions about the Chairperson, Department of Horticulture opportunity are encouraged. Please direct them to the Armington Recruiting Consultant listed below.
Joy Yablonsky
Senior Executive Search Consultant
[email protected]
215-934-1386
Review of Applications Begins On
11/19/2025
Website
hrt.msu.edu
Department Statement
Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging:
Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. Candidates are invited to view our Department and College norms.
Salary and Benefits
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package.
About the Department
