For more than a century, Learn by Doing has prepared Cal Poly graduates to lead, solve complex problems, and contribute immediately. CENG is central to that promise, offering 14 bachelor’s and 11 master’s programs across engineering and computer science with a strong emphasis on applied learning, design, innovation, and industry-connected scholarship. The College is entering a defining moment. Cal Poly’s annual student demand exceeds current capacity by over 36,000 qualified individuals seeking a Learn by Doing experience. CENG has the largest proportion of that strong applicant demand within Cal Poly, as well as the largest numbers of graduates with job placements in industry within the university. Given CENG’s central importance to Cal Poly, the dean must have an understanding of Learn by Doing and a strong and robust vision for the needs of current and future students that are aligned with workforce and research opportunities.
Cal Poly has established a multimillion-dollar endowment for a named deanship for the College of Engineering and Noyce School of Applied Computing, providing sustained resources to advance strategic priorities, faculty and staff excellence, student opportunities, applied research, and innovation. The Noyce School is the first interdisciplinary school of its kind at Cal Poly. The Noyce School combines three departments — electrical engineering, computer science and software engineering, and computer engineering, with statistics joining as an affiliate. The Noyce School’s $60 million endowment helps expand applied computing, AI, and cross-campus problem solving at Cal Poly.
The next dean will join Cal Poly at a time of momentum and transformation. The mission of CENG and the Noyce School permeates applied problem solving and Learn by Doing across the university. As such, the dean will work closely with the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and will have university-wide responsibilities. Cal Poly will complete its transition to the semester calendar during the 2026-27 academic year, and CENG will lead the way in enrollment growth, expansion of high impact practices for students, applied research, and industry collaborations. In addition, Cal Poly, CENG, and the State of California are poised to be in a leadership position in revitalizing and contributing to several industries, including applied computing with its connections to many Silicon Valley companies, aerospace (aircraft design, cube satellites, national defense sector), artificial intelligence (several connections with prominent corporations across several sectors from chips to agriculture), robotics and autonomous vehicles, clean energy, and maritime programs (licensed degree programs, national defense, facilities engineering, workforce development, naval architecture, and revitalization of the ship building industry). The dean will provide leadership, stability, ambition, and imagination while securing the resources, partnerships, and talent needed to elevate CENG'’s already strong reputation.
The dean will address the following key opportunities and challenges:
· Develop, foster, and implement a clear vision to enhance Cal Poly’s and CENG’s engagement with industry, donors, and key internal and external partners
· Support a high-performing community of dedicated faculty and staff
· Advance CENG and the Noyce School as university-wide partners in developing the workforce and leadership to solve applied and pressing problems facing California and beyond, including expanding student participation in high-impact practices and faculty – industry exchanges on a year-round basis
· Serve as a strategic partner in advancing Cal Poly Maritime Academy
· Foster and maintain strong programmatic and fundraising opportunities with industry partners
· Position CENG as a central contributor to the region’s economic development
· Manage CENG’s complex infrastructure while expanding resources through major-gift fundraising, enrollment strategy, and operational creativity
· Steward the endowed, named deanship by partnering with development leadership, honoring donor intent, deepening alumni and industry engagement, and deploying endowment resources for measurable impact
· Develop and support a community of students, faculty, and staff that mirrors the demographics of, and addresses the challenges facing, the state of California
· Serve as a collaborative university and CSU partner with the provost in advancing shared goals, cross-campus applied problem solving, and initiatives that extend beyond CENG
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CENG is a national leader in engineering education, workforce and career development, and applied research. CENG helps drive the STEM-fueled economy of California and is known for its undergraduate and master’s-level focus and distinctive Learn by Doing approach. The College enrolls approximately 6,200 undergraduate and 300 graduate students in 14 bachelor’s and 11 master’s degree programs.
CENG offers highly ranked programs in aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, computer engineering, computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, general engineering, industrial and manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering management, fire protection engineering, regenerative medicine, and engineering technology – a maritime-specific program through Cal Poly Maritime Academy. CENG graduates are sought by leading companies, agencies, and organizations across California and beyond.
Student success is at the center of CENG’s work. Students learn through internships, design competitions, class projects, senior capstone experiences, more than 80 state-of-the-art laboratories, 55 engineering clubs and organizations, and an aircraft hangar. The College’s Engineering Student Services, Multicultural Engineering Program, Women’s Engineering Program, and strong industry relationships help students thrive and prepare for meaningful careers.
The dean oversees three directors, three associate deans, an assistant dean, nine department chairs, approximately 187 tenure-track faculty, 216 lecturers, 46 staff, a $56 million budget, and extensive engineering facilities. To support the dean's strategic, external, and university-wide responsibilities across this large portfolio, Cal Poly will provide funding for a Senior Associate Dean to provide day-to-day support and management for the CENG and Noyce School as well as two Associate Deans on the SLO campus. There is an Associate Vice Provost and Academic Lead for the Solano Campus who assists with oversight of the academic operations.
ABOUT THE NOYCE SCHOOL OF APPLIED COMPUTING
Announced in June 2024, the Noyce endowment is a transformational $60M investment in Cal Poly's applied computing future. The Noyce School brings together several programs, including electrical engineering, computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, and statistics (affiliated) to expand teaching, research, and industry collaboration in computing, AI, and data-enabled innovation. The School’s AI Factory and advanced computing infrastructure position Cal Poly to scale applied AI teaching, experimentation, and innovation in service of California and beyond.
The Noyce School aims to connect faculty, students, industry partners, and research collaborators around applied computing, AI, and real-world problem solving. It will expand undergraduate research, Learn by Doing experiences, and applied research partnerships while helping the University address complex challenges in areas such as robotics, sustainable engineering, renewable energy, transportation, climate resilience, national defense, and economic development. Another focus for innovative educational programming includes the tools required to incorporate AI into product design, performance, and safety aimed at developing better manufacturing capability.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
The dean will have a distinguished record of achievement in at least one engineering or computing discipline represented in CENG and credentials appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor, including a terminal degree. The dean will also bring technical credibility, applied research leadership, a commitment to student success, and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively across Cal Poly, with industry, alumni, government, and philanthropic partners.
The ideal candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and characteristics:
· Creative, visionary leadership with the ability to execute ambitious goals and anticipate trends across a broad portfolio, including engineering, computing, AI, maritime, shipbuilding, and higher education
· A leadership style that inspires communication, collaboration, excellence, belonging, accountability, and mutually beneficial partnerships
· A demonstrated record of strong academic, industrial, and/or professional experience enhancing industry, alumni, donor, community, government, policymaker, and board relationships
· Experience developing and successfully implementing strategic plans through teamwork, resource development, and transparent decision-making
· Systems-oriented understanding of the transformative potential of AI and the ability to guide its responsible, ethical, and mission-aligned use in teaching, research, outreach, and administration
· Demonstrated ability to successfully manage resources in a complex environment and to secure external support through philanthropy, grants, contracts, industry sponsorships, and state and federal funding for programs, facilities, faculty, staff, and students
· Experience cultivating and supporting excellence in faculty teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and applied learning
· Enthusiasm for Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy and the CSU mission of being at the forefront of producing "Tomorrow's Future Graduates"
· Experience fostering forward-looking interdisciplinary collaboration, curriculum innovation, applied research, emerging technologies, and student success
· Strong personnel management experience, including success in complex and/or unionized environments
· Excellent communication skills across a wide range of audiences, including the ability to enhance CENG’s national visibility and brand
NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Supplemental Information
Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
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 or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.