Dean

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) seeks a highly collaborative and entrepreneurial leader with the ability to build distinct connections with industry to serve as the next dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). Nestled among nearly 10,000 acres of some of the most fertile soil in the United States on the Central Coast of California, CAFES boasts one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate agricultural programs at a polytechnic institution that inspires whole system thinkers to serve California and solve global challenges. The dean will build on the successful reputation of Cal Poly and CAFES to reach new levels of distinction and national prominence while supporting their renowned “Learn by Doing” philosophy.  

Founded in 1901 as one of 23 universities in the California State University (CSU) system, 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 gave Cal Poly a 5-star ranking, an honor that places Cal Poly among the top 34 universities in the nation. Since 1901, agricultural programs at Cal Poly have used the Learn by Doing approach to prepare leaders in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental and life sciences who are prepared to address challenges related to food security and meet increasing environmental demands at both the state and global level. Students have access to laboratories in a broad variety of disciplines as well as to vast ranchland, orchards, vineyards, and forest. These laboratories and living laboratories provide extensive Learn by Doing opportunities, which are supplemented by a curriculum informed by close connections with industry leaders. Given Cal Poly’s polytechnic emphasis and its location in California, the #1 ranked state for agricultural production with a $45-50 billion industry that produces over 400 agricultural commodities, the institution is ripe ground for preparing students to be future leaders in their fields.

The dean will be joining Cal Poly at an opportune time for impact, as the institution has had stable leadership for some time, including the President who formerly served as an agriculture dean, and the institution is well-poised for growth and innovation. The dean will have the opportunity to build upon CAFES’ impressive record of success by augmenting programming; leveraging strong ties to local, regional, and state industries; and partnering with the internal leadership team and external advisory council to achieve new levels of excellence. As the University pursues enrollment growth in the coming years, the dean will play a leading role in attracting and retaining diverse and talented students, faculty, and staff, and in securing the facilities, support structures, and other financial and operational resources for their success, including seeking development opportunities and building a donor pipeline. 

The anticipated salary range for the position is $260-300K. 

For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, and referrals, please see below. All applications should be submitted through the Cal Poly portal for the search, which can be found here. 

Lindsay Gold is leading this search with Hayden Lizotte and Julia Hochner.

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.