California Polytechnic State University
Search for the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts
San Luis Obispo, California
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.
Founded in 1901 as one of 23 universities in the California State University system, Cal Poly is located in San Luis Obispo, a coastal city halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and 15 minutes from the Pacific Ocean. Cal Poly has consistently been named the best public masters-level university in the West by both U.S. News & World Report and Forbes Top Colleges, and Money magazine awarded Cal Poly a 5-star ranking, an honor that places Cal Poly among the top 34 universities in the nation.
For over a century, Cal Poly has been recognized for its “Learn by Doing” philosophy, which prepares students to be leaders and problem solvers in an increasingly complex world. The CLA is central to this mission, offering a diverse range of degree programs in 17 departments across the humanities, social sciences, and arts that engage students in critical thinking, creativity, and global problem-solving.
The next dean will join Cal Poly at a significant inflection point with several major initiatives underway, including the conversion from quarters to semesters in fall 2026, the transition to year-round operations in summer 2027, growing enrollment to fulfill new CSU system aspirations, and achieving Title V federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution. With its wide range of disciplines and by housing one third of general education courses, the CLA is uniquely positioned to capitalize on these initiatives to advance the College’s mission and contribute meaningfully to the university’s evolution. The new dean will collaborate with faculty, staff, and students within the CLA to achieve new levels of recognition and accomplishment within the polytechnic context.
The next dean will be a visionary academic leader with a passion for the liberal arts and a proven ability to lead through change. They will bring a strong track record of teaching, scholarship, and supporting research, a collaborative leadership style, and the ability to inspire and engage a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students. The new dean will also be expected to provide critical strategic leadership in addressing the following key opportunities and challenges:
- Lead the strategic evolution of the CLA to enhance their distinctive polytechnic liberal arts education and support Academic Affairs and university-wide goals
- Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion to further drive student access, engagement, and success efforts
- Lead a highly collaborative CLA faculty and staff committed to the teacher-scholar model and achieving interdisciplinary goals and objectives
- Strengthen CLA’s influence through strategic partnerships and community engagement
- Thoughtfully steward and augment CLA’s financial resources and infrastructure through fundraising and revenue generation
Cal Poly has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please see the Isaacson, Miller website for the search:
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo/dean-college-liberal-arts. Electronic submission of materials is required.
Lindsay Gold, Phuong Ta, and Julia Hochner
Isaacson, Miller
100 Sansome Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111
At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Cal Poly’s commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
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