Position Summary: The Uzziah Ag Scholars Director will lead a university program providing experiential academic and co-curricular field experiences for high school students seeking an educational focus on agriculture at Concordia
Uzziah Ag Scholars will be agriculture-focused students who wish to participate in co-curricular agriculture activities and practical experiences in college
As an externally focused leader, the Director of the program will collaborate with the Agricultural Science program faculty, the Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, and Advancement to deliver outside-the-classroom experiences, promote the Concordia Agricultural Science program, and seek support for the program
This position holds a key role in building enrollment and securing support that directly impacts the University’s agriculture program
The Director will interact extensively with both prospective high school students and current college students
Beyond this, the Director will engage with educators, agriculture partners, and leaders of the University to build a robust and distinctive program
At maturity, the program will serve forty or more students while raising funds from corporate entities to support and benefit all aspects of Concordia’s agriculture offerings. General Duties:
Academic Responsibilities: Field Experience Coordination: Facilitate and evaluate students’ academic field experiences with area agriculture industry partners in collaboration with Agriculture Science faculty, including field trips, observations, and internships Mentorship: Coordinate mentoring activities between agriculture professionals and students
Coaching: Lead co-curricular competitive and community service and engagement experiences.
Admissions Responsibilities: Recruitment: While working collaboratively with Admissions and other departments to support recruitment of all students to Concordia, the Director will specifically curate a group of students for the Uzziah Ag Scholars program through engagement with high school students and educational leaders in Nebraska and Kansas, along with agriculture focused organizations (e.g., FFA, 4-H). Advancement Responsibilities: Partnership Development: Invite and secure financial support for Concordia’s agriculture program from industry partners. This is a 12-month, full-time position most suitable for a person who enjoys coaching young individuals, promoting agriculture, leading outside-the-classroom educational experiences, and working directly with leaders in the agriculture industry to develop experiential educational opportunities, raise funds and facilitate the success of students in the Uzziah Ag Scholars. Other general faculty duties as assigned. Qualifications & Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree required with a degree in agriculture (or closely related field) and/or agriculture education background. Broad exposure to and relationships within the field of agriculture, preferably in Nebraska and Kansas. Relevant experience within the areas of recruitment, sales and/or fundraising. Relevant experience working directly with high school and/or college age young adults in a leadership, teaching, or coaching capacity. Participation in your agriculture programs such as FFA or 4-H. Valid driver’s license. Proficiency in the use of software applications including Microsoft applications, database management, spreadsheets, constituent relationship management (CRM), report generation and work processing. Commitment to Concordia University’s mission and vision; a willingness to speak about personal Christian faith and how it relates to the mission and character of Concordia University. Strong communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to communicate professionally with a diverse constituency both on and off campus. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize and work on multiple tasks. Self-sufficiency and a strong sense of urgency to achieve goals. Commitment to setting and achieving annual personal performance goals. Ability to plan, develop and implement effective strategies for engaging young individuals and connecting them to mentors and partners in their area of study and interest. Ability to foster effective, strong relationships with both students and colleagues in a team environment. Ability to interact and establish partnerships with representatives and leaders from all areas of education and ag industries. Ability and willingness to travel locally (day trips) frequently, to regional enterprises to take students for courses, and overnight occasionally. High degree of professionalism with the ability to positively represent the University. Passion and skill for leading committed young individuals in experiential and competitive educational endeavors. Ability to direct and manage graduate assistants in the program. Ability to communicate and mentor students in the Agricultural Science program. Ability to provide oversight of a growing agricultural science program Knowledge and understanding of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. 
