Director, Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture

The Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture seeks a dynamic Director to contribute to the teaching, research, and service missions of the school, the interdisciplinary setting of the College of Art & Design, and the collaborative opportunities offered by Louisiana State University (LSU). The Director is the executive officer of the school and is responsible to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost through the Dean of the College of Art & Design. The Director is expected to provide innovative and visionary leadership, advance their research and scholarly interests, and exhibit dedication to advancement in all areas of the school. LSU invites applications and nominations for this position for an anticipated appointment commencing on July 1, 2024.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for the educational programs in the school and college.
• Prepares and executes the school’s budget.
• Cultivates external resources to support the school’s initiatives.
• Assumes responsibility for managing the school’s quality, effectiveness, and progress.
• Provides leadership in developing and implementing the schools’ vision and mission and participates in curriculum development.
• Promotes excellence in teaching and scholarship.
• Facilitates and participates in faculty growth, development, and mentoring.
• Supervises faculty performance and recommends all appointments and other personnel actions relating to the school’s academic and non-academic staff.
• Encourages and facilitates communication, understanding, and collegiality while providing professional leadership.
• Engages in recruiting, participates in design reviews, advising, mentoring, and actively supports building community in the school and within the profession.
• Promotes the public image of the school and university and increases the visibility of the school.
• Teaches graduate and/or undergraduate courses based on qualifications and expertise.
• Participates on graduate committees and maintains membership in the Graduate School Council.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, Urban Planning, Urban Design, or a related field.
• At least one professional degree in Landscape Architecture (undergraduate or graduate) or equivalent degree from outside North America.
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative skills through experience or training
• Distinguished record in teaching, research, and service sufficient to merit tenure.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree or licensure in Landscape Architecture or a related field.
• Experience with the undergraduate and graduate professional program accreditation process.
• Academic administrative experience including management of budgets, personnel, and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.
• Demonstrated record of commitment to faculty development and mentoring.
• RRSLA has an active, worldwide alumni network that has made stellar contributions over the years in the areas of scholarships, lectureships, and faculty support. The school, with the establishment of the Bickham Chair, annually attracts visiting scholars and professionals to teach and offer innovative enrichment initiatives. The regional setting in the Lower Mississippi River Valley provides broad opportunities to study the interactions of the built environment, ecological systems, and culture in shaping the landscape through design. The school’s curriculum offers a range of experiences including multi-disciplinary collaborations, study-abroad opportunities, travel embedded design studios, and internships in the United States and abroad. The school is actively engaged in grant funded research through projects in the Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio. Additionally, LSU’s 16-acre Hilltop Arboretum features a sizeable collection of endemic plants, serving as a laboratory and event center for the school and

Additional Job Description

The Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture (RRSLA) is committed to excellence and advancement of landscape architectural education through research , theory and practice, innovation, critical thinking, and iterative making rooted in the context of the American South. The school has an established international reputation as one of America\’s leading and consistently top-ranked programs offering degrees leading to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and the Master of Landscape Architecture. For more than 60 years, the school has produced landscape architects who practice all over the world and participate in the full spectrum of the discipline.

RRSLA has an active, worldwide alumni network that has made stellar contributions over the years in the areas of scholarships, lectureships, and faculty support. The school, with the establishment of the Bickham Chair, annually attracts visiting scholars and professionals to teach and offer innovative enrichment initiatives. The regional setting in the Lower Mississippi River Valley provides broad opportunities to study the interactions of the built environment, ecological systems, and culture in shaping the landscape through design. The school’s curriculum offers a range of experiences including multi-disciplinary collaborations, study-abroad opportunities, travel embedded design studios, and internships in the United States and abroad. The school is actively engaged in grant funded research through projects in the Coastal Ecosystem Design Studio. Additionally, LSU’s 16-acre Hilltop Arboretum features a sizeable collection of endemic plants, serving as a laboratory and event center for the school and community. The school is in the College of Art & Design, along with Architecture, Art History, Interior Design, and Studio Arts, providing unique opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing.

Louisiana State University is located in South Louisiana, home to great historical traditions and diverse populations, known internationally for its music, food, historic architecture, and dynamic natural environment. The campus is in Louisiana’s capital city, Baton Rouge, a rapidly growing metropolitan area of almost one million people, just an hour from New Orleans. Louisiana State University is the largest institution of higher education in the state of Louisiana and is the only public university in the state to be designated a Carnegie Research University with “very high research activity.” It is one of 21 universities nationwide holding land, sea, and space-grant status, and is consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the country by Forbes, Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Kiplinger. LSU enjoys a lively and diverse community of over 37,000 faculty and students from every state and more than 120 countries. Occupying 2,000 acres on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, LSU is approximately 80 miles northwest of New Orleans in the heart of the culturally diverse delta region. LSU’s campus, largely of Italian Renaissance architecture, is regarded as one of the top 20 most beautiful campuses in the United States with 57 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and over 1,200 magnificent Live Oak trees.

The Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture has established an international reputation as one of America’s leading and consistently top-ranked programs. The RRSLA undergraduate program has been consistently ranked in the top two in the nation for well over a decade; the 2017–18 ranking is the eighth time the undergraduate program has held the number one position since 2006. The graduate program has also been ranked within the top six in the nation for over 10 years, sharing top rankings with Harvard, Cornell, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania. LSU is by far the most affordable graduate program of the top three. For more than 70 years, the program has produced landscape architects who practice all over the world and participate in the full spectrum of the discipline.

Special Instructions:

Application Requirements

Please provide a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, statement of teaching and of research, and a list of at least five professional references including name, title, phone number and e-mail address. Digital copy of design portfolio optional. A copy of your transcript(s) may be attached to your application; however, original transcripts are required prior to hire.

For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact Elizabeth Duffy at 225-578-5400 or eduffy@lsu.edu.

Posting Date:

September 7, 2023

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

Additional Position Information:

Background Check – An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits – LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Remote Work – Positions approved to work remotely outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

LSU believes diversity, equity, and inclusion enrich the educational experience of our students, faculty, and staff, and are necessary to prepare all people to thrive personally and professionally in a global society. We celebrate diversity and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion. We actively seek and encourage qualified applications from persons with diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences. To learn more about how LSU is committed to diversity and inclusivity, please see LSU’s Diversity Statement and Roadmap. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resource Management (hr@lsu.edu).

HCM Contact Information: