Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and forward-looking leader to serve as the next dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment. The successful applicant will be passionate about making a difference, dedicated to excellence, and eager to join a vibrant community of scholars. The new dean will lead a college that is a catalyst for progress in natural resources and the environment, building on the college’s roots in forestry, forest products, fish and wildlife conservation, geography, and the land-grant mission of Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech’s main campus is in Blacksburg, Virginia, which is consistently ranked among the country’s best places to live. In addition, Virginia Tech has facilities across the state and around the globe, including a network of Agricultural Research and Extension Centers. One of these is dedicated exclusively to forestry. As the Commonwealth of Virginia’s most comprehensive university and a leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers about 110 undergraduate majors and more than 120 master’s and doctoral degree programs to more than 38,000 students and manages a research portfolio of close to $600 million. The university fulfills its role as a land-grant institution by fostering a collaborative environment that integrates technology into all disciplines so that the Virginia Tech community can serve as a force for positive change around the Commonwealth, the country, and the world. Through experiential learning, future-focused research, and an inclusive, spirited culture, Virginia Tech strives to accomplish the charge of its motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
The College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) at Virginia Tech is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top programs dedicated to the study and stewardship of natural resources. CNRE offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary academic environment where students, faculty, and researchers collaborate to address some of the most pressing environmental and resource management challenges facing the world today. The college is home to a diverse range of programs that span forestry, wildlife conservation, sustainable biomaterials, fisheries, geography, and environmental policy, all grounded in a strong foundation of sustainability, innovation, and global engagement.
The new dean will have the opportunity to build on a strong research foundation to further strengthen the impact of scholarship, engagement in graduate student and postdoctoral education and training, and national/international reputation of faculty in the college. The college is focused on addressing global challenges, including protection of the natural environment; deforestation and habitat destruction; invasive plant and animal species, climate change and its associated impacts such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events; biodiversity loss; the ecology of infectious diseases, use of biomaterials in construction, and sustainable use of vital resources such as water.
The next dean must have a record of scholarly achievement appropriate for a tenured appointment at the level of full professor in a department within the college, and must have a steadfast commitment to innovation in education with an emphasis on experiential learning and be committed to advancing inclusive excellence. The new dean must have a record of administrative leadership and demonstrate the administrative, fiscal, and operational acumen required to manage a distinctive program in the context of a large, complex institution. The dean should demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills. Additionally, the dean should demonstrate the potential and desire to forge strong relationships with colleagues and engage donors, alumni, and others in enhancing philanthropic support for the college.
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
WittKieffer is assisting Virginia Tech in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 28, 2025.
Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to Suzanne Teer, Lauren Bruce-Stets, and Cathryn Davis at VirginiaTechCNRE@wittkieffer.com.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office for Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, 220 Gilbert Street, Suite 5200, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
