Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural Education and Advocacy

Job Title
Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural Education and Advocacy


Requisition Number
FE04614


Working Title

Department Name
81130:Community & Leadership Development


Work Location
Lexington, KY


Type of Position
Faculty


Position Time Status
Full-Time


Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track


Required Education

Ph.D. by start date, in Agricultural Education, or related discipline and the applicant should have a minimum of three years of secondary classroom teaching experience.



Required Related Experience

Demonstrated evidence of an established publication record; evidence of funded research efforts; interests in belonging and talent; teaching experience in higher education; effective written communication, a compelling (successful and complimentary to the department needs) research agenda; engagement in professional organizations with emphasis on leadership roles; professional experience in industry; and at least three years of secondary classroom experience.



Required License/Registration/Certification

Candidates must have a Ph.D. by the start date, in Agricultural Education, or related discipline.



Job Summary

Position Description:
Distribution of effort of teaching responsibilities will be 55 percent and will include 4 courses in agricultural education per academic year. Teaching responsibilities will also include student-teacher supervision in the agricultural education and advocacy program. Teaching opportunities include an expectation of teaching a graduate course, and the mentoring and recruitment of agricultural education students in CLD’s multidisciplinary graduate program. Applicants will teach courses associated with pedagogical/andragogical theory to practice, research design and methods, youth organizations, and theory coursework.



Distribution of effort for research responsibilities will be 40 percent, with expectations to develop a nationally recognized research program on pedagogical practices and curriculum/program development among professional educators in agricultural education and advocacy, such as agricultural science teachers, county Extension agents, and other educators of agricultural science advocacy. This may also include agricultural workforce development, youth leadership development, and leadership and advocacy program development and evaluation. The successful candidate is expected to establish a peer-reviewed publication record in teaching and research scholarship; secure competitive grants; and recruit and advise graduate students.


Distribution of effort for service will initially be 5 percent, with expectations for service on selected committees that support the mission of the department, college, and university; and provide leadership to professional societies.



Applicants should have an interest in collaboration and instruction that supports the linkages between agricultural education, and other units on campus involved in agricultural safety and health research and outreach. Distribution of effort is reviewed annually and modified as needed to meet university needs over time.

Department Information:
Formed in 2002, the Department of Community and Leadership Development (http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CLD/) is a multi-disciplinary department. The department consists of 13 tenured/eligible/lecturer faculty. Over 170 undergraduate students represent the two majors housed within CLD: Agricultural Education and Advocacy and Community & Leadership Development. In addition, the department has 15 graduate students pursuing an M.S. degree. Being recognized the last three years as the Alpha Tau Alpha program of the year, the University of Kentucky agricultural education and advocacy undergraduate program prides itself on its innovative practices and supportive academic environment. We are preparing to be moving into new facilities in early 2026.

The Environment:

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) is fulfilling the land-grant promise of educational excellence, civic leadership, transformational research, and shared knowledge serving the common good. We serve the people of the Commonwealth and across the world through education, outreach, service, and research by finding solutions to improve lives today and create a sustainable future. We integrate teaching, research, and extension in our work. We recruit, retain, and graduate students who are competent, responsible, and workforce ready. For more than 130 years, CAFE has provided research results to the community. From traditional labs and research farms to high-tech diagnostic and research centers, we offer science-based, practical solutions that affect the everyday lives of Kentuckians and people around the world. Our Cooperative Extension programs are engaged in Kentucky’s 120 counties, identifying and addressing needs not only in agriculture and natural resources, but also 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, as well as community & economic development.


The University of Kentucky is an institution with over 23,000 undergraduate and 9,500 graduate students. UK is Kentucky’s flagship university and a land grant institution. We have a university commitment to improve the lives of Kentuckians and beyond and that is why environmental stewardship and sustainability are core parts of our institution’s legacy. We are recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Gold levelBicycle Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists, and are recognized as a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Silver Rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

The university is geographically near downtown Lexington, which offers the vibrancy of an urban location while being in close proximity to working landscapes and recognized wilderness areas. It is a thriving community of 320,000+ with a strong commitment to quality of life, education, and the arts. Lexington is in the Bluegrass Region, an internationally acclaimed cultural landscape and agricultural region.

Salary and Benefits:

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards, focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.

Questions and/or Nominations to:

Dr. Ken Jones

Chair, Search Committee

711 Garrigus Building

325 Cooper Drive

Lexington, KY 40546

Tel: (859) 257-5604

Email:kenrjones@uky.edu


Application:

Applications should be submitted by October 15, 2025, for full consideration, while the position will remain open until it is filled. The anticipated interview period is late October to early December of 2025. The anticipated start date is as early as January 1, 2026 though July 1, 2026 is possible.

Please use the University of Kentucky’s electronic application process to apply. In your uploaded documents please begin with a letter of interest that outlines your qualifications for the position, a statement of research and teaching philosophy, followed by the name, address, email, and phone number for three references, and include your career curriculum vita.


If you need assistance with the electronic application process, contact HR/ Employment, phone (859) 257-9555, press 2, or email ukjobs@email.uky.edu.



Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No


Preferred Education/Experience

Demonstrated evidence of an established publication record; evidence of funded research efforts; interests in fostering supportive academic and professional environments; teaching experience in higher education; effective written communication, a compelling (successful and complimentary to the department needs) research agenda; engagement in professional organizations with emphasis on leadership roles; and professional experience in industry.



Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled
Yes


Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.


As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.


Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.