WittKieffer is assisting San Diego State University in this search. Application materials should be submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal:
APPLY NOW San Diego State University (SDSU) invites nominations and applications for its next dean of the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). Reporting to the provost and senior vice president, the dean serves as the chief academic officer of the college. The dean oversees one of the largest and most diverse colleges at SDSU. Approximately 300 tenured and tenure-track faculty, researchers, and lecturers educate more than 4,400 undergraduate and graduate students in five schools: Exercise and Nutritional Sciences ; Nursing ; Public Health ; Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences ; and Social Work . The college offers 13 bachelor's, 25 master’s, and seven doctoral degree programs, along with transdisciplinary and professional certificate programs.
Each year, San Diego State University provides approximately 37,500 students with the opportunity to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty, high-impact practices, and an international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. The university is committed to improving student success, advancing research and creative endeavors, contributing to the community, and building SDSU's culture of philanthropy. SDSU is proud to be an exceptionally diverse, multinational institution and holds designations as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). As a transborder university located on Kumeyaay Indigenous lands, SDSU has also been a leader in the California State University-wide implementation of an Ethnic Studies graduation requirement. As of 2025, SDSU expects to attain an R1 designation, with more than $192 million in research activity in 2022-2023.
The mission of SDSU is to provide a research-oriented, high-quality education for undergraduate and graduate students and to contribute to the solution of problems through excellence and distinction in teaching, research, and service. The university strives to impart an appreciation and broad understanding of the human experience throughout the world and the ages. This education extends to diverse cultural legacies and accomplishments in many areas, such as the arts and technology; the advancement of human thought, including philosophy and science; the development of economic, political, and social institutions; and the physical and biological evolution of humans and their environment. SDSU pursues its mission through its many diverse departments and interdisciplinary programs in the creative and performing arts, the humanities, the sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences.
The dean will work collaboratively with college stakeholders to develop and execute a vision that aligns with the university's strategic objectives as identified in the 2020-2025 "We Rise We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives" strategic plan . The incoming dean will be expected to advocate for a range of disciplines, support student success, expand academic offerings, advance research and scholarship, and build strong partnerships with those outside the university. The next dean should have earned academic credentials that merit appointment as a tenured full professor, including a distinguished academic record in teaching, scholarship, and research. This individual will be expected to understand and advance SDSU's mission as a minority-serving institution and have a record of enhancing student engagement and success.
The dean should have earned academic credentials that merit appointment as a tenured full professor, including a distinguished academic record in teaching, scholarship, and research. This individual will be expected to understand and advance SDSU's mission as a minority-serving institution and have a record of enhancing student engagement and success.
A detailed leadership profile is available at
wittkieffer.com .
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, a diversity statement (addressing at least 2 BIE Criteria ), and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile. WittKieffer is assisting SDSU in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 29, 2024. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s
candidate portal .
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Ryan Crawford and Jenna Brumleve at
SDSU-CHHSDean@wittkieffer.com Key Qualifications The successful candidate will have an earned doctorate and a record of accomplishment suitable for tenure as a full professor in one of CHHS's departments. Additionally, the ideal candidate should have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:
Leadership and vision: The demonstrated ability to engage a wide range of constituents to understand the diverse academic programs across CHHS and shape a unifying vision that advances the mission and vision of the college and university. A successful track record of effective academic leadership, including the ability to work across disciplines in an equitable and transparent manner.
Collaboration and commitment to shared governance: A demonstrated commitment to transparency and partnership with faculty, staff, and students through shared governance. Experience involving faculty, department chairs, staff, and students in decision-making; the ability to communicate decisions; and a record of generating consensus over a sustained period of time.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion: A track record of leadership acting on these core values and a deep personal understanding of the essential roles they play in education. An ability to work effectively in a multicultural campus and community setting that embraces SDSU's mission as a minority-serving institution located at the crossroads of the U.S./Mexico border, the Asia Pacific Rim, and on Kumeyaay lands, recognizing the value of multilingual communities.
Commitment to high-quality pedagogy: An understanding of various pedagogical approaches and demonstrated support for faculty development in teaching. A strong supporter of academic freedom for faculty in the classroom and curriculum.
Experience with assessment and accreditation: A record of successfully navigating accreditation processes and the ability to support the broad range accredited programs found in CHHS.
Broad and inclusive view of scholarship and research: Demonstrated support of research and scholarship and the ability to advocate for the variety of research and scholarship found within CHHS. A strong supporter of academic freedom for faculty in their scholarly pursuits.
Effective advocacy, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills: Experience building strong relationships internally with faculty, staff, administrators, and students, as well as externally with community organizations, corporate partners, elected officials, government agencies, and other constituents. Proven history of success in advocating for health and human services fields.
Ability to manage existing resources and identify new resources: A track record of success aligning resources with priorities to accomplish organizational goals. Demonstrated success in securing new funding through new academic programs, grants, fundraising, and other revenue streams.
Commitment to student engagement: A record of commitment to enhancing student engagement and success. An ability and a willingness to support and promote faculty-student engagement to enhance the student experience. An understanding of the diverse student populations that SDSU serves.
Compensation and Benefits San Diego State University will offer a competitive salary based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. San Diego State University also offers a rich benefits package that includes:
- Extensive Leave benefits: 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year;
- Retirement security through a CalPERS defined benefit pension (with CalPERS and UC Retirement Plan reciprocity) and retiree healthcare benefits;
- An array of health, dental, and vision coverage at no-cost or low-cost to the employee; and
- California State University system fee reduction program (fee waiver) for the employee or their qualified dependent
Anticipated hiring range: $220,000 - $250,000
Diversity and Community at SDSU At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.
Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here .
Principles of Community
At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.
SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.
Supplemental Information 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.
San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here .
SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.
Advertised: Mar 05 2024 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:
Closing Date/Time:
