Associate Dean for Extension/Assistant Director for Human Sciences Extension Programs

Auburn; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Auburn is seeking an Associate Dean for Extension and Assistant Director for Human Sciences Extension Programs to begin no later than Fall 2026. This role requires a PhD and involves leadership in extension programs, fostering collaborations, and ensuring program quality.

The successful candidate will provide vision and leadership, recruit and mentor staff, and manage Extension agents. Strong candidates will demonstrate a commitment to the Extension mission and have an impressive academic and professional record.

Qualifications

• Experience in leadership and supervision of professional staff.
• Strong working knowledge of human science issues in the US and Alabama.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Extension philosophy and mission.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Human Sciences Extension Programs.
• Foster collaboration across ACES and CHS.
• Lead program needs assessment and outcome evaluation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Revenue generation

Extension program evaluation

Education

Earned doctorate in human sciences or a related field

Job description

Overview

The College of Human Sciences (CHS) at Auburn University (http://humsci.auburn.edu/chs/) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) (www.aces.edu) are seeking to fill the position of Associate Dean for Extension and Assistant Director for Human Sciences Extension Programs to begin no later than Fall 2026. This 12‑month administrative position will fit within the organizational structures of CHS and ACES. The Associate Dean/Assistant Director position reports jointly to the CHS Dean and the ACES Director. The position is classified as tenure‑track faculty with a joint CHS and ACES administrative appointment. The Associate Dean/Assistant Director will be a member of the CHS administrative team with an office located in either the Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility or Duncan Hall. The position is a member of the ACES System Program Team charged to bring into alignment the programmatic visions and directions of the CHS and ACES.

COLLEGE: The College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, established in 1916, has approximately 1,700 students distributed among two departments: Consumer and Design Sciences; Nutritional Sciences and Human Development and Family Science, one school, the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management; and an Office of Global Education. These academic units offer seven undergraduate degrees, four minors, five master’s degree programs, and three doctoral programs. The College of Human Sciences offers several study abroad programs and is home to the institution’s only permanent international campus, situated outside Rome, Italy. For more information, please see http://www.humscj.aubum.edu/main/.

EXTENSION: The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is the outreach organization for the land‑grant mission of Auburn University and Alabama A&M University. Its educational programs grow from these two land‑grant university campuses to serve the people of Alabama. Science‑based educational programs are delivered that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well‑being. Information and programs are available online or in person through all 67 County Extension Offices and at teaching sites throughout Alabama communities. For more information, please see https://www.aces.edu/.

Responsibilities

The Associate Dean/Assistant Director provides vision and leadership in how Extension, research, academic programs, and other allied programs develop synergy to enhance collaborative research and evidence‑based outcomes. The position provides coordination and leadership for Human Sciences Extension Programs carried out by ACES in collaboration with the CHS and Alabama A&M University. The position is responsible for the coordination and integration of Extension programs that engage Alabama citizens in evidence‑based programming and research to support the well‑being of individuals, families, and communities. The Associate Dean/Assistant Director will:

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Department/School Heads in the College, ACES program units, and County Extension Offices;
• Serve as a liaison between CHS and ACES;
• Assess institutional needs and explore collaboration across CHS and ACES;
• Foster entrepreneurial approaches to engage faculty in the pursuit and procurement of revenue through grants, contracts, gifts and fees to expand programming;
• Mentor and work collaboratively with Extension Specialists in CHS Human Sciences Extension programming;
• Provide input to Department/School Heads for the evaluation of Extension Specialists and professional staff with ACES appointments;
• Recommend changes to ensure constant improvement of Extension programming;
• Lead program needs assessment activities, priority program team plan‑of‑work development, delivery of transformational Extension programs, outcome evaluation and impact reporting;
• Be responsible for the recruitment, hiring, supervision, mentoring and performance assessment of Extension Agents;
• Provide leadership to assure program alignment with the annual plan‑of‑work and direction set by ACES and CHS;
• Serve as the ACES representative to the Southern Region Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program Leaders Network;
• Serve as an active member of the CHS Executive Leadership Team;
• Provide leadership and guidance to team leaders that may include priority program team coordinators.
• Foster the use of emerging pedagogy and communication technologies, including the appropriate media and social media, to engage new and diverse constituent audiences;
• Build teamwork through communication with ACES and departmental Extension Specialists, Regional Extension Agents, and others as appropriate.

Qualifications

• An earned doctorate from an accredited institution in a field within human sciences or related field;
• Academic credentials commensurate with Professor rank;
• An established academic record of scholarship in a relevant discipline;
• Experience and demonstrated effectiveness in leadership, including supervision of professional staff;
• Experience and demonstrated effectiveness in development, delivery, and evaluation of extension and/or outreach programs that meet the needs of a target audience and create measurable impacts;
• Strong working knowledge of current human science issues in the world, United States and Alabama;
• A proactive vision of the future of Extension, a demonstrated commitment to the Extension philosophy and mission, and the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders on these matters;
• An outstanding performance record in previous employment;
• Proven record in generation of revenue streams to support applied‑research, Extension programming, and/or outreach;
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and a proven ability to interact extremely effectively with faculty, staff, administrators and external stakeholders;
• Proven record of extension and/or outreach leadership and scholarship to be eligible for tenure at the full professor rank in his/her appropriate academic department, if applicable;
• Commitment to Auburn University’s core values of excellence, global involvement, and accountability;
• National leadership experience desired;
• The candidate selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of employment; excellent communication skills

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted online through Auburn University’s employment portal. A complete application will include: A cover letter describing teaching, research, and administrative interests. A current curriculum vitae, leadership philosophy statement, and names and contact information for at least three references (name, address, phone, and email). Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will begin on June 30, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

For additional information, contact: Casey Mull [e-mail] or Elaine Moliason [e-mail].

Contract Type

Annual Appointment

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance website to learn more.