California State University, Bakersfield
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) invites inquiries, nominations, and applications from bold and committed academic leaders interested in serving as the University’s next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost). The successful candidate for Provost will join CSUB at an exciting time of transition as the recently appointed University President, Dr. Vernon Harper, creates a new leadership team that will be responsible for leading the University to strengthen the impact it has in promoting access to education and propel economic development in the region encompassing Kern County and the Antelope Valley.
The University
Located in the heart of the Golden State, CSUB is a beacon of hope and innovation in a region that leads the United States in energy production, agriculture, aerospace, and other vital industries that move the nation forward every day. Most Roadrunners are the first in their families to attend college, and CSUB greets them with services and resources that support the life-changing decision they have made to pursue a university degree. CSUB supports its students by providing one-on-one attention and small class sizes, a rare level of faculty access for undergraduates that is typically found only in elite private schools.
CSUB continuously rises in national rankings for its economic value and commitment to student success. The majority of graduates remain in the Valley to solve the region’s complex challenges. The University serves approximately 11,000 students at the main Bakersfield campus, at the Antelope Valley campus, or enrolled through CSUB’s Extended Education and Global Outreach programs. The University offers 59 undergraduate and graduate programs as well as doctoral programs in educational leadership, engineering, and nursing. In addition, CSUB offers various teaching credentials, professional development opportunities, and certificates. CSUB places student success and academic excellence at the center of everything the University does.
CSUB is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). As a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), CSUB reports that, as of Fall 2024, 69% of undergraduates are of Hispanic heritage. Furthermore, CSUB cultivates a campus community that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion with a strong commitment to access and social mobility. CSUB was ranked #10 in the 2024 Social Mobility Index.
The Division of Academic Affairs
The Division is home to the following administrative units: Academic Programs; Faculty Affairs; Grants, Research, and Sponsored Programs; Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment; Academic Operations and Support; University Library; and Extended Education and Global Outreach.
The academic departments and programs at CSUB are grouped into the following four colleges:
The College of Arts and Humanities provides students with broad artistic and humanistic knowledge while increasing skills that are useful for a variety of professions. The college has seven departments and nine academic programs, and also regularly offers concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and performances for CSUB and the community.
The College of Business and Public Administration has an excellent ecosystem for developing student skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), and its degree programs foster leadership skills in traditional business as well as agricultural business, economics, environmental resource management, and public administration.
The College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering provides students with hands-on research opportunities that help them succeed in STEM fields after graduation. With millions of dollars in federal grants and scholarships, state-of-the-art facilities, and brand-new degree programs, the college is on the cutting edge of science and technology education to empower the regional economy.
The College of Social Sciences and Education offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs that prepare students for careers as teachers, police officers, kinesiologists, social workers, counselors, and community leaders. The college has forged strong partnerships with local school districts, criminal justice agencies, non-profit groups, and social service organizations to enrich the quality of life in the region.
In addition to the main campus in Bakersfield, CSUB operates a branch campus in the Antelope Valley on the northeast corner of Antelope Valley College. The campus provides the residents of the Greater Antelope Valley academic programs leading to undergraduate degrees in business, engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and the ability to obtain a graduate/professional degree or a teaching credential without leaving the community.
The Position
The Provost serves as CSUB’s chief academic leader and is responsible for developing and implementing, in collaboration with faculty, a compelling vision for how a comprehensive regional university can best serve its students and expansive community during a period of rapid technological, societal, and political change. The evolving national educational landscape requires that the Provost be a strategic and forward-thinking leader with the agility to navigate short- and long-term challenges while maintaining a steady focus on the core mission and values of the University. The Provost must be transparent in their actions, function with integrity, and communicate with clarity and authenticity. The Provost must be a proven champion of students, faculty, and staff and passionately communicate the University’s priorities to campus stakeholders and beyond.
The Provost will provide overall leadership for the Division of Academic Affairs and serve as the leader of the University in the absence of the President. They must partner with their colleagues on the President’s Cabinet and the Dean’s Council to create a learning environment that places students at the center, inspires creativity and innovation, encourages thoughtful risk-taking, and reinforces a culture that embraces collaboration and collegiality.
The Provost, in collaboration with faculty, will define the University’s academic priorities, align annual goals with the values of the institution, actively participate in annual and long-term University budget planning, and skillfully and effectively leverage the University’s revenue streams to derive the maximum benefit and impact. The Provost will be a fierce advocate for CSUB’s academic, research, and teaching mission and will assist the President, academic deans, and others in garnering philanthropic and grant support for strategic initiatives.
Qualifications
The next Provost will be an accomplished academic administrator who is enthusiastic about CSUB’s mission, vision, and the success of its faculty, staff, and students. Leading candidates must be willing to make a serious commitment to CSUB and possess:
• An earned Ph.D. or terminal degree in an academic discipline from an accredited institution;
• A record of success as an accomplished administrator with progressively responsible academic administration positions in higher education (experience as a dean, vice provost, or provost is preferred);
• A scholarly record that demonstrates eligibility for appointment as a tenured, full professor in an academic department within CSUB;
• A record of successful commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity;
• A record of successful leadership in shared governance values and processes;
• Successful leadership and management experiences, including strategic planning, financial management, and management of staff;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with senior administrators, deans, department chairs, faculty, staff, students, and external constituents to achieve institutional goals.
Preferred Qualifications
• A demonstrated record of commitment to supporting faculty and student scholarship and creative activity, grant proposals, professional development, and excellence in university teaching;
• A history of innovation in developing and supporting academic programs that support student success goals;
• Demonstrated ability to support the effective use of information technology for pedagogical, administrative, and student support needs;
• Notable experience in a public higher education institution and multi-campus system;
• Collaborative leadership experience in a collective bargaining environment;
• A record of substantial administrative achievement guided by visionary leadership, innovation, and the ability to inspire others.
Application / Nomination Process
The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications in mid-January. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence.
Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:
Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner
Emy Cruz, Partner
Email: apsearch@spaexec.com
Refer to code “CSUB-Provost” in the subject line
SP&A Executive Search
6512 Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 90601
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