By Andi Anderson
Iowa State University has officially started the search for the next endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. The leadership position is considered one of the university’s most important roles because of its strong connection to agriculture, education, research, and Iowa’s economy.
The university has formed a search committee representing a wide range of academic, industry, student, and agricultural interests. The committee will guide the process of identifying and evaluating candidates for the position.
Raj Agnihotri, Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College of Business, and Surya Mallapragada, Associate Vice President for Research, will serve as co-chairs of the search committee. The committee includes faculty members, students, industry leaders, agricultural organization representatives, and university administrators. This broad representation reflects the significant impact of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences across Iowa and beyond.
Highlighting the importance of the role, Jason Keith, Senior Vice President and Provost, said, "Leadership of Iowa State agriculture and life sciences programs is one of the most critical roles at Iowa State and also helps to ensure the vitality of Iowa’s agriculture economy. We’re looking for a transformative leader who will grow the college, extend the pipeline of graduates and scholarship to Iowa communities, and be a trusted partner to commodity groups and industry."
The search process will begin with nominations of highly qualified candidates. These nominations will be followed by application reviews, interviews with semifinalists, and final interviews with leading candidates. The goal is to identify a leader capable of strengthening the college’s educational programs, research initiatives, and industry partnerships.
To support the search, the university has engaged the Buffkin/Baker search firm, which will assist the committee throughout the recruitment process. In addition, Megan Peterson from the Provost’s Office will provide administrative support to ensure the process runs smoothly.
The new dean will succeed Dan Robison, who served in the leadership roles from 2019 until July 2026. The selected candidate will also follow Ruth MacDonald, who is currently serving as interim dean.
University officials expect the search to attract strong candidates with experience in agricultural education, research, innovation, and leadership. The future dean will play a key role in guiding the college’s growth, supporting student success, advancing scientific discoveries, and strengthening relationships with Iowa’s agricultural community.
With the search committee now in place, Iowa State University has taken an important step toward selecting a leader who can help shape the future of one of the nation’s leading agricultural colleges.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education