Agricultural Economics at TAMU:
Shared Vision and Administrative
PhilosophyMark Waller
Prof. and Assoc. Dept. Head - Extension
May 24, 2012
OutlineTexas A&M and the Land Grant Mission, and Department of Agricultural Economics
Vision and Recent Reviews
Vision and Administrative Philosophy
Funding and our Future
My Qualifications
Purpose of the land grant system In 1862, passage of the Morrill Act laid the
groundwork for the democratization of public higher education
Grew out of our industrialized societies’ increasingly complex problems, deficiencies and demands
As critically important today as it has ever been
Major sponsoring legislationMorrill Act (Teaching)Hatch Act (Research)Smith Lever Act (Extension)
Texas A&M, the Land Grant Mission, and Department of Agricultural Economics
Texas A&M, the Land Grant Mission, and Department of
Agricultural Economics
Mission of the land grant system In 1862, passage of the Morrill Act laid the
groundwork for the democratization of public higher education
Grew out of our industrialized societies’ increasingly complex problems, deficiencies and demands
As critically important today as it has ever been
Major sponsoring legislationMorrill Act (Teaching)Hatch Act (Research)Smith Lever Act (Extension)
Texas A&M, the Land Grant Mission, and Department of Agricultural Economics
The University’s mission of excellenceVision 2020: Creating a Culture of
Excellence-Serving the Public Good Be one of the 10 best public universities in the
nation by 2020 Be an invaluable resource to the state, nation and
the world
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2010-2015 Strategic Plan
Elevate our faculty (teaching, research, scholarship) Strengthen graduate programs Enhance the undergraduate experience Build engaging connections beyond the University
Texas A&M, the Land Grant Mission, and Department of Agricultural Economics
Department of Agricultural EconomicsThe department’s stated vision, mission, and
goals are well aligned with the land-grant mission
Desire to attain a top 10 ranking matches well with the universities vision We question how good we are
We are good, but there is room for improvement
How do we measure our relative position and progress We may be better than we think we are
We, as a department, must decide what we want to be in the future
Our Department and our profession’s history would suggest this is not uncommon
Texas A&M, the Land Grant Mission, and Department of Agricultural Economics
We have a large undergraduate programNationally recognized for its size and qualityStrong agricultural economics and agribusiness degreesNationally recognized teaching faculty
Many classes taught by facultyHighly regarded advising programClubs, competition, travel and study abroad
opportunities
Things to considerCan we maintain quality at this sizeGraduate student teaching opportunitiesTargeted opportunities such as Action 2015: Education
First High Impact Learning Advising Support
Vision and Recent Reviews
We have a large graduate programNationally recognized for its size at the
MS and PhD levelsStrong agricultural economics and
agribusiness Masters degreesNationally recognized Graduate faculty
Things to considerCan we have the quality we want at this
sizeGraduate student advising, funding,
publication output, job placement, and degree completion times
Vision and Recent Reviews
The department is considered strong overallOne of the larger agricultural economics
departments in the USHighly respected senior faculty, promising
junior facultyRelationship with the business school,
Intercollegiate Faculty of AgribusinessStrong undergraduate and masters programsNationally respected Extension program
Things to considerFunding challengesCurrent and future faculty turnoverPhD program issuesDepartment’s future direction and priorities
Vision and Recent Reviews
Leadership through service to faculty, staff, students, and clientele to achieve the stated vision and priorities of the Department, College, Agencies, and University community
Encourage input from faculty, staff, and students about a shared vision, goals and process for achieving them
Build a professional that is environment conducive to teamwork and respect, where all stakeholders can be heard, and their opinions and contributions are valued Everybody matters (Faculty, Staff, Students)
Vision and Administrative Philosophy
Build a reputation and expectation of clear communication, transparency, consistency, and equity across the department
Advocate for the department across the University, the agricultural economics profession, the former students, extension clientele, and commodity and industry leaders
We should not keep our good work and outcomes a secret!! Submission and recognitions of Awards for faculty,
former students, etc. Reports to administration, press releases, etc.
Vision and Administrative Philosophy
We have an effective administrative and committee structure that can be used to delegate duties
A department this large requires delegation of duties
A-Team (Associate Department Heads, leader of research, chair of intercollegiate faculty)
System of approximately 21 committees Continue rotation of personnel on committees to share
duties/opportunities Some restructuring may be needed
Vision and Administrative Philosophy
We hire top quality professional faculty that need to be given a degree of flexibility in research, teaching, and extension program development
Departmental needs must be covered Teaching assignments Extension and research programmatic areas
Flexibility is needed for faculty to develop their full potential and build on their strengths
Vision and Administrative Philosophy
The Department has a strong history of Centers providing a focus for Research/Extension and industry interactionsMission and focus of Centers continues to
evolve with changing departmental and clientele needs
Changing structure of funding
Importance to the graduate program Research experience, industry contacts, publication
opportunities
Funding and Our Future
Endowed ChairsCan we expand the number in our
Department
Learn from our past attempts, and from other successful Departments and Universities
Is there an incentive system that might help
Funding and Our Future
Funding and Our FutureThe need for external funding will
continue to increase as traditional sources remain flat or decline in the near futureNeed increased cooperation across the
department’s faculty and with interdisciplinary and multi institution groups, to pursue larger multi-year grants such as NIFA/AFRI
Help faculty to develop/increase longer-term funding relationships with industry, commodity organizations, and other entities that need analytical services
Maintain contact and relationships with former students and clientele through various forms of communication, recognition/award opportunities, and other activities
Work with the Development Foundation to build a network of former students, clientele, former faculty, and other potential donors
Over 17 years as Extension Economist-Grain Marketing and Policy Participation in development of award-
winning Extension programs Teamwork, and commitment required to build
high-quality enduring programs Secure grants and contracts, and build
industry relationships Evaluation of programs and report results to
funders, administrators, legislators
My Qualifications
Over 7 years as Associate Department Head-ExtensionServed as a member of the department’s
Administrative TeamProvided administrative supervision for the
Agricultural Economics Extension Program Unit, with oversight and approval of the Department Head
Prioritizing positions/hires Management of the Extension budget Oversight of grant and contract activity within the
Extension unit Conduct annual performance evaluations of
professorial rank Extension faculty with the Department Head
Conduct on annual performance evaluations of Program Specialists and selected staff
Coordination of monthly and annual planning conferences
Coordination/oversight of monthly reporting, quarterly highlights reporting, Extension Strategic Plan revision and reporting
Participate with the Department Head in the department’s annual review with the Dean and Directors
My Qualifications
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