As part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences search for a new dean, the Agri-Life council held a student forum to get students’ input on the process.
CALS is the second largest college at N.C . State with 4,654 undergraduate, 959 graduate, and 335 agricultural institute students. Johnny Wynne , the current dean of CALS , is retiring effective July 1. CALS has put together a search committee to find a new dean for the college.
According to the university’s prospectus for the position, “The University seeks a transformative leader whose innovative approach to synthesizing and integrating agriculture and life sciences will further CALS’ position as one of the premier colleges of its kind in the nation.”
CALS includes its Office of Academic Programs, which has 20 departments, its research division with 18 research stations and 10 field laboratories, and 101 extension centers throughout the state.
Jonathon Smith, a junior in agricultural education, is the president of the CALS Agri-Life Council, the equivalent of a CALS student government. The Agri-Life Council’s mission is to service the voice of the students to the administration. The Agri-Life Council sponsored the student forum on the CALS dean search specifically to get the students of the college involved in the search process. Smith is also one of the two students on the committee. He represents the undergraduates in CALS , and April Wynn, a graduate student in genetics, represents the graduate students.
According to Smith, the search committee will have a good mix of members from the industry, the agriculture lifestyle institute, businesses in the Triangle area, the board of trustees, faculty, staff, and students. Louis Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering, will head the search committee.
“In the forum we want talk to the people that will be affected by the new dean. All 100 counties in North Carolina are affected by CALS ,” Smith said. “Our university produces some of the most highly sought after job candidates and we want to target candidates that are qualified and able to take us to the next level in CALS.”
Smith said as president of the Agri-Life Council, he thought it would be the best option to get students to come to the forum.
“We’re doing a whole lot of stuff to make sure students are involved and get their input. Over half of the search committee will be at the forum and we’re ready to hear what students have to say,” Smith said.
“The goal is that between July 1 and fall we will hire somebody. We’re taking the month of March to hear what students have to say and other constituencies. This is the one night that is strictly for students. We’re making sure members of the committee know what students are thinking,” Smith said.
He added that this is the first time students have gotten input in finding a dean.
“It’s innovative and students are getting very excited as well,” Smith said.
Martin-Vega is the chair of the search committee, along with Baker and Associates, who is assisting in the search.
“We’re certainly looking to attract the very best candidates–it’s a national search for candidates all over the country. You’re looking for a dynamic leader, somebody who can move the college forward as much as possible,” Martin-Vega said. “The committee is really trying to reach out to even more students through the forum and there are actually plans in work for a forum that would reach out across state. The whole idea is that this is a college that impacts the University.”
At the forum Martin-Vega told the students that the committee was there to listen, not speak.
“The early meetings of the committee found that the impact of CALS across the state is huge. We’re here to listen and appreciate the time that you’re giving us,” Martin-Vega said.
Students gave their input to the committee and voiced many different things they would like to see for the college. One student called for passionate teachers that engage their students while another said she wants advisors and teachers that care about what the students do after they leave the college. A graduate student asked for more weight and emphasis to be put on teaching tenure and promotion. Another student from the agriculture institute asked for smaller classes so teachers can stay positive in their curriculums. Many students called for better equipment and facilities that were on par with the programs CALS provides.
Nicole Rogerson , a junior in animal and poultry science, came to the forum because she is an Agri-Life representative for the Companion Animal Club.
“I basically really just wanted to come here to listen to what [the committee] has to put on the table. It’s a good thing that they want to know our opinions and to really know what we’re looking for,” Rogerson said.
Frank Barragan is with human resources for the Executive Search Services at N.C . State. They provide consultation and logistical support for the search committee. Barragan said executive search services is not only going to involve students but is also trying to get faculty involved.
”We’ve been able to do 30 searches or so and keep it in house so it’s going toward N.C . State,” Barragan said.
CALS is not the only department searching for a new dean, the College of Natural Resources will be doing so as well.
