Presidential Associate for Community Partnerships, Engagement and Outreach

President’s Office

Cal Poly Pomona 

The President’s Office at Cal Poly Pomona invites applications for the full-time management position of Presidential Associate for Community Partnerships, Engagement and Outreach (MPP III). Cal Poly Pomona is one of three polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, the university has offered a unique education steeped in experiential learning. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the university is well known for its learn-by-doing philosophy. CPP has recently achieved R2 (high research activity) designation in the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education. Cal Poly Pomona is recognized as one of the most diverse regional universities in the Western United States and offers an affordable, life-changing education. Less than 30 miles east of Los Angeles, the campus enjoys the excitement of a diverse metropolitan area while retaining the serenity of a foothill community. As a polytechnic university, Cal Poly Pomona utilizes a technology-enhanced, learn-by-doing approach to education through which students enjoy endless opportunities for involvement in a vibrant and diverse community.

 

Principles of Community

At Cal Poly Pomona, the Principles of Community define how we engage, collaborate, and uphold our mission to foster student success and institutional excellence. We are committed to mutual respect, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual, and valuing diverse perspectives. We foster growth, creating opportunities for intellectual, professional, and personal development. We cultivate belonging, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming environment where all feel empowered to contribute. And we act with integrity, upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior, transparency, and fairness in all aspects of our work. These principles guide us in building a supportive and intellectually vibrant university.

 

The Department

The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and is responsible for all operational and strategic aspects of the University, including student recruitment, retention, and graduation, academic policies and programs; state and non-state operating budgets; personnel policies and procedures; external outreach, collaboration and fund raising, etc. The Presidential Associate for Community Partnerships and Expanding Access will have oversight of Outreach, Recruitment, and Educational Partnerships that includes domestic student outreach, campus Welcome Center, Residential Intensive Summer Education (RISE), CSU Super Sunday, and regional community college and high school leadership summits.

 

The Position 

The Presidential Associate for Community Partnerships, Engagement and Outreach is a leadership role responsible for developing and managing strategic initiatives to engage prospective students, strengthen the student pipeline, develop educational partnerships, and enhance the university's outreach efforts. This position involves working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to promote the university's programs and services, and to foster relationships with educational institutions and community organizations.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Institutional Integration:

• Lead the Office of Outreach, Recruitment, and Educational Partnerships, ensuring alignment with university-wide strategic goals and enrollment objectives.
• Collaborate with the President and campus leaders (Deans, Cabinet) to establish policies and practices that enhance CPP’s role as an anchor institution in the region committed to community engagement and inclusive student success.
• Build institutional capacity for expanding access and fostering an inclusive, student-centered experience for students from all backgrounds, and first-generation student populations.
• Develop and implement university-wide strategies for data-informed decision-making, identifying trends and opportunities to enhance all enrollment, student retention, and graduation outcomes.
• Provide strategic counsel and represent the university’s outreach, recruitment, and partnership priorities in executive-level decision-making.
• Collaborate with the President and campus leaders (Deans, Cabinet) to identify and pursue external funding opportunities for CPP student support initiatives.

Outreach, Communication, and External Engagement:

• Serve as a liaison for the President to all communities, building trusting, collaborative relationships through outreach and engagement activities that invite community members to campus and extend campus services and information to them.
• Direct outreach, recruitment, and communication strategies, ensuring innovative and inclusive approaches that reflect the university’s mission and values.
• Lead the visitor services program and community-facing events, including public programs, marketing, and campus tours, to align with CPP’s enrollment and engagement goals.
• Design and implement campus-wide initiatives and campaigns that connect prospective students and community members to CPP’s mission and values.
• Collaborate with Strategic Communications and Enrollment Management & Services to develop cohesive messaging that enhances the university’s visibility and appeal to diverse audiences.

Programmatic and Operational Oversight

• Strengthen relationships with K-12 schools, community colleges, and other community organizations to inform student enrollment pipeline strategies and support campus program development.
• Identify, promote, and advance creative and innovative outreach programs for students from all backgrounds, and first-generation student populations.
• Steward relationships and foster collaborations within and across divisions and feeder schools to increase the University’s reach in applicants, improve student yield, and enhance retention and graduation rates.
• Direct the design and implementation of signature outreach and engagement programs that align with CPP’s commitment to student success and community impact.
• Lead and direct cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact initiatives, leveraging technology and innovative processes to achieve enrollment and engagement objectives.
• Assess program effectiveness through the development and analysis of key performance indicators, driving continuous improvement in outreach, recruitment, and engagement efforts.
• Provide executive leadership for CPP’s Anchor Institution strategy, coordinating efforts to maximize the university’s community impact and institutional reputation.

 

Required Qualifications 

• Master's Degree
• Driver License, Valid and in State
• Five to eight years of management experience, including experience with administrative, governance, budget administration, personnel policies and processes.
• Experience resolving conflicts, problem solving, change management, encouraging partnerships and collaboration.
• Successful experience in a public, four-year institution of higher education or successful upper management level experience in a complex working environment.
• Experience working effectively to create, promote, and build campus-based student success partnerships.
• Significant experience in building, maintaining K-12, community college, and community-based organization partnerships aimed at expanding educational access and opportunities. Extensive experience in enrollment and outreach programming that improves student access, retention, persistence, and graduation rates.
• Demonstrated experience with effective outreach programs for all students that promotes and ensures that every student has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities.
• Experience with fostering strategic approaches that reduce institutional barriers that can hinder student progress and achievement.
• Experience analyzing data and identifying trends and other significant data reporting. Experience working effectively with a wide range of audiences such as faculty, deans, students, leadership, staff, alumni, community groups, donors, and elected officials.
• Knowledge of higher education or industry current issues, best practices, and the ability to grasp and interpret implications within a complex organization.
• Knowledge of best practices in providing outreach to students from all backgrounds, and first-generation student populations.
• A commitment to promoting and contributing to an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment and to the Cal Poly Pomona Principles of Community.
• Ability to articulate vision, mission and values of the University both internally and externally.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate open discussions, collaborate with and respond to multiple constituencies, and write clear and concise reports.

 

Preferred Skills and Attributes 

• Doctoral or terminal degree from an accredited college or university.
• Prior relevant work experience in higher education preferably in Academic Affairs or Student Affairs.
• Expertise in federal, state, and local policies and initiatives relevant to the role of a Presidential Associate for Community Partnerships, Engagement, and Outreach.
• Prior experience developing and maintaining partnerships with California K-12 schools and community colleges.

 

Applications 

The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to materials received by April 16, 2025. To apply, a candidate should submit 1) a letter of intent addressing how the candidate’s experiences match the position requirements, 2) a current CV/resume, and 3) contact information for three professional references, including email addresses and a brief note of the candidate’s working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the prior knowledge and approval of the candidate and at a later stage in the search.  

 

Employment Requirements

The salary for this position will be $200,000-$225,000/annually. Information about benefits is available at: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf  

 

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California.   The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. For more information, go to the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy. 

 

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. For more information, go to the CSU Background Check Policy.

 

Employment Eligibility Verification

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  For more information, go to the Acceptable I-9 website. 

 

University Driving Requirements

Positions that require driving for university business by using a personal or state vehicle must comply with the Authorized University Driver Policy. Driving records are monitored and evaluated by the Risk Management Department. The Risk Management Department evaluates a good driving report based on the following criteria. The driver must: 1. Have a valid California or other State Driver’s license. 2. Have no more than 3 motor vehicle violations or been the cause of 3 accidents in a 12-month period (or any combination of 3 thereof) 3. Not have more than 3 DMV Points, if their license is Class C or, 4. Not have more than 5 DMV Points, if their license is Class A, B, or C with endorsements. For more information, go to the Authorized University Driver Policy.

 

Conflict of Interest 

This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code.  The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file financial interest disclosure forms subject to state regulations.  For more information, go to the CSU's Conflict of Interest Policy. 

 

Outside Employment Disclosure 

Executive and Management Plan Personnel employees must disclose all current outside employment at the time of hire as a precondition of hire and at the following times after hire: annually in July, within 30 days of accepting outside employment, and upon their manager’s request.  For more information, go to the Outside Employment Disclosure Policy. 

 

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) 

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. See policy at the Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting policy.

 

Security & Fire Safety 

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona’s Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing at: https://www.cpp.edu/pdfs/annual_security_report.pdf and https://www.cpp.edu/housing/documents/fire_safety_report.pdf.

 

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.  For more information, see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision poster.

 

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu. For more information, go to Employment Notices.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cal Poly Pomona is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workforce. The university subscribes to all state and federal regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and veteran or military status.  We engage the talents of all qualified workers, regardless of their background. More information is available at Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

 

Other Notices

For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona’s Employment Notices web page.