The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) consists of 17 academic departments and programs, and approximately 350 faculty, 70 staff, and 3,700 students in 19 undergraduate majors and 4 graduate programs. The CLA includes disciplines that represent four broad areas of knowledge: the fine and performing arts, communications, the humanities, and the social sciences. In addition to offering courses for its own majors, CLA offers a significant proportion of courses in general education, as well courses that support minors and serve as electives for all majors throughout the university. Further, the CLA plays a significant role in providing activities that enhance the cultural and intellectual environment of the campus, including exhibits and performances offered by our academic departments (e.g., Art, Music, Theatre & Dance) and Cal Poly Arts, cultural programs and lecture series offered by all of our departments, and co-curricular programs such as KCPR Radio, Mock Trial, and Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl.

Reporting to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, the Associate Dean for Student Success is a key member of the Dean's leadership/management team, working with the Dean, the other two associate deans , and department chairs to develop and implement the vision and goals of the college. The Associate Dean for Student Success also interfaces with senior management in the divisions of Academic Affairs, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and other offices as appropriate. The new Associate Dean for Student Success will play a key role in supporting the college leadership in improving graduation and retention rates, strengthening transfer student access and supports, as well as leading new strategic initiatives. The Associate Dean for Student Success acts independently within functional and organizational policy guidelines. The Associate Dean for Student Success is responsible for the achievement of college goals and objectives, serves as the prime internal contact for and briefs executive management on critical issues within domains of responsibility.

Under the direction of the Dean, the Associate Dean for Student Success assumes general responsibilities that include providing vision, leadership and coordination of the CLA Advising Center and representing the college at the university level in advising leadership groups such as the Collaborative Advising for Student Success (CASS) Council. The Associate Dean works collaboratively with CLA chairs to advance student success initiatives; builds effective partnerships with faculty, staff and students to support the college’s mission and goals; conducts faculty and staff evaluations, as appropriate; represents the college on various university committees as assigned by the Dean; represents the Dean at functions when Dean is absent, as requested; carries out all additional responsibilities as assigned by the Dean.

Salary Range: $145,000 - $165,000

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following examples illustrate typical work activities and are not meant to be all inclusive or restrictive:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Daily 90%

Student Success/Advising

Oversee/manage:

• CLA Advising Center
• Academic Dishonesty & other OSSR concerns
• Academic Probation/Disqualification (AP/DQ) processes
• Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADTs), transfer selection criteria, and articulations
• Block Scheduling
• CLA Ambassadors Program
• College representation on Collaborative Advising Student Success (CASS) Council
• FERPA
• New transfer reserves & recommended courses
• Returning students
• Student concerns
• Students of concern & CARE referrals
• Student petitions
• Student success policies
• Scholarships - collegewide
• Student events including CLA Student Awards, Commencement, WOW/Academic Day, and Family Weekend
• Withdrawals

Admissions/Recruitment

Oversee/manage:

• Admitted Students Day/Open House
• Mustang Family Weekend
• Student Enrollment Procedures/Transfer Admission Criteria

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS - As Needed 10%

• Perform other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Attend training and maintain skill currency as appropriate to safely and effectively complete assignments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ph.D. or terminal degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline in the College of Liberal Arts
• Academic record that satisfies eligibility for appointment to the rank of tenured associate or full professor in one of the academic departments in the College of Liberal Arts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (SKAs):

• Commitment to and experience in promoting inclusive excellence.
• Knowledge of academic advising processes.
• Successful performance of leadership in an academic institution.
• Successful university teaching experience.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience with articulations, block scheduling, student petitions, student recruitment efforts, or transfer pathways.
• Demonstrated ability to mediate and resolve student concerns with tact, diplomacy, and equity.
• Demonstrated ability to respond with empathy, professionalism, and discretion to students and supporters in challenging or sensitive situations.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

• This position is classified as an Administrator III, 12-month appointment. 
• This position consists of 100% administrative duties without any teaching duties.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work overtime, occasional holidays, and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• 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.
• Full-time MPP employees are required to disclose outside employment at time of hire or within 30 days of taking additional outside employment subsequent to time of hire.
• This position classification has been defined as "Exempt" and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

How to apply 

To apply, please visit: http://jobs.calpoly.edu/, complete a required online faculty application and apply to Requisition #552110. Please upload the following required materials as part of the electronic application: 

1. a cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
2. current resume/curriculum vitae 

Projected Start Date: January 1, 2026 

Please contact Lynne Ricard if you have any questions about this position at lricard@calpoly.edu