Opportunity

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) seeks a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as the next dean of the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). The CLA has a unique array of disciplines that have contributed to a distinguished reputation of innovation at Cal Poly. The dean will build on this successful legacy to continue to support Cal Poly’s distinct mission, values and clear vision of being the nation’s premier comprehensive polytechnic university. The new dean will lead a vibrant College dedicated to interdisciplinary excellence, equity and inclusion, and forward-thinking programs that develop and inspire whole system thinkers who can help change the world.

Job Summary

ROLE OF THE DEAN 

Reporting directly to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, the dean will act as the lead academic and administrative officer for the College. The dean devises and executes strategic planning and visioning for the College and fosters an organizational culture that enables the recruitment and retention of diverse and talented faculty, staff, and students, including faculty support in their teaching, scholarship, professional engagement, and service to the university, college, and industry. The dean is responsible for the quality of academic programs and managing the fiscal, human, and physical resources and facilities of CLA. As the main spokesperson for the College, the dean will build deeper connections internally with leaders across campus and alumni, and externally with industry and government officials. This will include ensuring close alignment around academic and industry needs and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships across the University in support of CLA, Academic Affairs, and University-wide goals and objectives.

The dean oversees an administrative team composed of an associate dean for student success, associate dean for operations, associate dean for diversity and curriculum, and a director of research engagement. They also have  70 staff members and manage a state budget of approximately $58 million (including benefits), expendable foundation funds of approximately $2 million, endowment funds of approximately $14 million, and fee-based corporation funds of approximately $1 million.

The College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts is an integral and highly valued component of Cal Poly. The College emphasizes critical and creative thinking, human understanding, innovative action, combining disciplinary depth with interdisciplinary knowledge and experiences. CLA empowers its graduates to tackle the complex challenges of both global and local communities by engaging with the historical, ethical, aesthetic, technological, and social dimensions that shape our world.

Driven by core disciplines in the arts, humanities, communications, and social sciences, the College of Liberal Arts is organized into 17 highly selective departments offering 18 majors (including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees), 40 minors, and four master’s degree programs in English, History, Public Policy, and Psychology. Departments include Art and Design, Communication Studies, English, Ethnic Studies, Graphic Communication, History, Interdisciplinary Studies in the Liberal Arts, Journalism, Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology and Child Development, Social Sciences, Theatre and Dance, Women’s, Gender and Queer Studies, and World Languages and Cultures. The College is home to the Center for Expressive Technologies, which provides students with unique Learn By Doing experiences through classes and  research opportunities that prepare them for new careers that bridge tech, arts, and social good.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will have the credentials appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor, including a distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and supporting research, as well as an earned doctorate or terminal degree in a discipline within the College.

They will also possess the following qualifications and characteristics:

• A leadership style that inspires and fosters communication, community building, and mutually beneficial partnerships
• Experience in the design and continuous implementation of strategic planning
• Demonstrated experience and/or commitment to supporting faculty research, scholarship, and creative activities
• Demonstrated commitment to the importance of hands-on experiences for students and an enthusiasm for Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy and the CSU’s mission
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse campus community and to support equity and inclusive excellence for faculty, staff, and students
• Demonstrated commitment to and/or a record of being a good university citizen and working towards shared goals with a variety of university partners
• Demonstrated ability to manage resources effectively in a complex environment, an aptitude for fundraising, and the ability to develop partnerships and secure external support for programs, facilities, and personnel
• Understanding of the value of industry relations and a clear commitment to maintaining and enhancing relationships with a diversity of industry partners
• Success in resolving personnel issues in a complex and/or unionized environment
• Excellent communication skills in a wide range of settings

Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search at https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/dean-college-liberal-arts.  All applications should be submitted through the Cal Poly portal for the search.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $270,000 - $280,000 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected. Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.  All rights associated with the appointment are governed by the Management Personnel Plan adopted by the CSU Board of Trustees.  

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.