The University of California, Berkeley
Search for the Chancellor
The University of California invites nominations and applications for the position of Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley campus.
The Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), and is responsible to the President of the University of California. Within the scope of University policy, the Chancellor exercises broad authority over and is responsible for all aspects of campus administration.
The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus — envisioned as a “City of Learning” — was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today, UC Berkeley is the nation’s premier public university and enrolls around 43,000 students, with 1,559 full-time faculty members spread across 15 colleges and schools, 130 academic departments and programs, and 80 research units, and has an endowment of around $7.4 billion. The University counts among its current faculty 10 Nobel laureates, 144 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 74 active and emeriti members of the National Academy of Engineering, and 15 recipients of the National Medal of Science.
Building upon a history of distinction, Berkeley continues to be recognized for the quality of its faculty and students, the scope of its research and publications, and the leading role it plays in the national dialogue regarding the future of public higher education in America. The university offers more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate courses in approximately 300 degree programs, and typically produces more Ph.D.s than any other U.S. research university. Berkeley’s academic programs consistently rank among the best in the world, and six of its graduate programs in Computer Science, Chemistry, English, History, Sociology, and Psychology ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 2022 ranking of graduate schools by U.S. News and World Report. UC Berkeley is a leader in research addressing a variety of societal-scale issues., and in 2022-2023, researchers at UC Berkeley attracted $1.07 billion in new research awards from external sources.
Students at UC Berkeley are civically active and engaged, and their vast interests are reflected in the wide range of clubs and student organizations. The campus offers more than 1,400 student clubs and organizations, from student-engagement clubs to advocacy groups to public service organizations. Berkeley has produced the most Peace Corps volunteers—more than 3,700—of any university. Cal fields 30 men’s and women’s athletics teams and has more than 850 student-athletes. The university is a leader in sustainability, and the campus has a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2025. 95% of students walk, bike or take public transport to campus, and the campus’ ambitious clean energy project, currently underway, will fully decarbonize the campus with renewable sources of electricity and efficient heating and cooling capabilities.
The university is deeply committed to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and justice and has long worked to fulfill its mission of supporting full access and success for California’s diverse population.
The campus has made important progress in the areas of increasing undergraduate, graduate, and faculty diversity, narrowing achievement gaps, and institutionalizing work to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, but there is still more work to be done. Of the undergraduate student population, 24% come from underrepresented groups, 27% are Pell Grant recipients, and 29% are first-generation.
The next Chancellor will be joining UC Berkeley at a pivotal moment in the institution’s trajectory. The university will look to the Chancellor for leadership and vision to secure the university’s future, building upon a solid foundation and with an eye toward expanded excellence, access, and influence.
Qualified candidates should have demonstrated leadership skills in a large, multifaceted organization (ideally with experience in the UC system) and have a deep knowledge and appreciation for a rigorous academic and research environment. The ideal candidate must have an astute understanding of higher education trends, particularly as they relate to public institutions, and possess a strong commitment to teaching, research, service, and scholarship. This individual should have a record of transparent and ethical decision-making rooted in values and principles and be willing to make difficult decisions. They must have the capacity to raise philanthropic funds as well as secure government funding and foundation support. Consistent with UC Berkeley’s values, this person must have a resounding civic and community orientation, be dedicated to protecting access for all, and show both a demonstrated commitment to and track record of advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for students, faculty, and staff.
Applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications must be complete to be reviewed for consideration. A complete application includes: 1) CV, and 2) completion of the UC Applicant Self-Identification online form. Candidates invited for interviews must provide an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Contribution Statement. A leadership profile is available at www.wittkieffer.com.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of California in this search. Reviews of candidate materials will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. For best consideration, please submit materials by December 18, 2023. Candidates are welcome to apply at WittKieffer’s candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to the WittKieffer consultants supporting this search: Suzanne Teer, Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D., Melody Rose, Ph.D., and Christine Pendleton at UCBerkeleyChancellor@wittkieffer.com.
The University of California, UC Office of the President is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $800,000 to $950,000. UC offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision and retirement plans as well as moving, relocation, and housing assistance.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
