Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. Inclusive excellence is the active process of including and respecting everyone as we strive for excellence and equitable outcomes in all we do at the University of Florida. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is seeking a dynamic leader and scholar for the position of Associate Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA).  The goal of this senior leadership position is to elevate the level of strategic direction and programmatic leadership around issues of IDEA for faculty, staff and students across UF/IFAS.

UF/IFAS is proud to be part of a top five public university, and to lead in supporting UF’s mission as a land-grant university. The mission of UF/IFAS is to develop knowledge in agricultural, human, and natural resources, and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life.  With programs, employees, and students located across Florida, it is essential that UF/IFAS mirror the audiences we serve, which assures that all citizens of Florida have access to the teaching, research and extension outreach offered by UF/IFAS.  As such, UF/IFAS is seeking  a well qualified candidate who will serve as a thought leader with in-depth knowledge and IDEA expertise who will intentionally engage faculty, students, staff and our stakeholders in dialogue around critical issues to improve the Institute’s climate and support the academic, career, and personal development of underrepresented groups.

The Associate VP is a tenured faculty position which will report directly to the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, and will work closely with the entire administrative leadership, including the UF/IFAS Deans for Teaching, Extension and Research.  The individual will be a member of UF/IFAS senior leadership and is expected to provide advice, guidance and information on all aspects of the Institute.  It is also expected that the Associate VP will work as a partner in campus-wide strategic imperatives for IDEA in alignment with the university’s strategic plan as stewarded by the UF Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Advisor to the President of the university.

In addition to providing leadership for IDEA, the Associate VP will carry an academic appointment so that scholarly activities can be pursued, such as serving as a primary investigator of IDEA-focused proposals. 

UF/IFAS is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. Historically underrepresented group members are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Engage and  collaborate with deans, unit leaders and other key stakeholders to identify UF/IFAS priorities and short-term and long-term objectives that align with the university’s strategic goals and enhance UF’s national reputation.
• Coordinate and facilitate shared best practices and identify opportunities for greater alignment to ensure a more unified UF/IFAS effort. Serve as a central resource/coordinator for UF/IFAS diversity, equity and inclusion activities.
• Provide leadership for UF/IFAS IDEA Committees and Catalyst Teams.
• Work closely with UF/IFAS Human Resources to assure that our workforce best reflects the demographics of Florida and that our hiring practices are equitable and supportive of IDEA principles.
• Provide leadership, including serving as the principal investigator for grants, contracts and awards which help support IDEA concepts within IFAS.  
• Prepare and complete scholarly publications on IDEA as it pertains to the land-grant mission.
• Work with other senior leaders to provide subject-matter expertise related to historic, current and emerging diversity, equity, inclusion and access issues. Develop a cohesive narrative of what inclusive excellence and diversity means for UF/IFAS and work with other leaders to communicate this vision consistently within the UF/IFAS community.
• Provide evidence-based insight to support inclusive excellence. Engage and consult with other university and UF/IFAS offices including Office of the Provost, Human Resources, General Counsel, Student Life, Chief Diversity Officer and other expert stakeholders to support related efforts. Develop and implement programming for faculty and staff to enhance current efforts and ensure broad understanding and adoption of inclusive excellence principles and practices.
• Establish key metrics to demonstrate both quantitative and qualitative progress toward a climate of inclusion. Review relevant UF and UF/IFAS data. Make recommendations to VP and senior leadership.

Qualifications:

An earned doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a relevant field is required. A record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities related to teaching, research, extension, and/or industry that will qualify the individual to be a tenured associate or full professor in one of the IFAS academic departments is required. Candidates must also be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.  Candidates must also have a commitment to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.  

We are seeking an established scholar with a strong interest and experience in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and in promoting knowledge within UF/IFAS and the wider community. Candidates for this position should demonstrate a strong record of program building across disciplines and have experience with grant writing and administration, and administrative leadership.

Prospective candidates are expected to demonstrate strong leadership and the capacity to build on our current initiatives. We seek candidates with visions and ideas that can move UF/IFAS in new directions and embody UF’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus and in our programs and curricula.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by August 7, 2022. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.