Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Affairs

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara) seeks to appoint a collaborative and dynamic leader, scholar, and visionary thinker as  Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Affairs and Anne and Michael Towbes Dean of the Graduate Division (AVC-GA/Dean). The new AVC-GA/Dean will join a highly successful public research university committed to the principles of research and teaching excellence; interdisciplinary education; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is an exciting and pivotal time at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the new AVC-GA/Dean will lead in developing and expanding the University’s forward-looking vision for graduate education and advancing the University’s mission of innovation and the transmission and production of knowledge. 

The ideal candidate will be a talented leader and scholar with a keen understanding of current issues, challenges, and opportunities in graduate education today, as well as experience in working with students and faculty across a wide range of scholarly disciplines. Graduate education at UCSB takes a variety of forms with varying funding models across the university. An ideal leader will have a breadth of interdisciplinary expertise and financial management experiences, as well as the ability to balance a range of diverse perspectives and develop and execute creative solutions in the rapidly-changing landscape of graduate education. The AVC-GA/Dean should have significant organizational leadership and administrative experience; demonstrated success and willingness to engage in external relations and fundraising; an established record of advancing diversity and inclusion; and credentials that merit appointment in an academic department at the rank of full professor.

The new AVC-GA/Dean should embrace and address the following opportunities and challenges: 

• Develop and articulate a bold and forward-looking shared vision for graduate education at UCSB.
• Play a leadership role in reimaging graduate education and sustaining programs financially and intellectually.  
• Provide support and ensure excellence across a wide range of disciplines and graduate education programs.
• Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community for graduate students.
• Advocate for the wellbeing and success of graduate students.
• Expand and allocate resources in support of the Graduate Division’s mission.

 
The AVC-GA/Dean will strengthen UC Santa Barbara’s position as a leader among public research universities in building and maintaining excellent graduate programs and holistic graduate student support in a highly collaborative environment committed to shared governance. This individual will be a strong advocate for graduate education and diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ) across the University and beyond. 

UC Santa Barbara is a member of the world renowned 10-campus University of California (UC) system and the Association of American Universities (AAU). Forbes Magazine ranked UC Santa Barbara as the #5 public university in the country in its list of 2023 America’s Top Colleges list. UC Santa Barbara is ranked #35 among the best national universities and ranked #12 among all public universities according to U.S. News and World Report. U.S. News and World Report also ranked UC Santa Barbara #19 among the best colleges for veterans and #31 among all national universities for social mobility, which measures how successful schools are at enrolling and graduating students who receive federal Pell Grants. UC Santa Barbara takes pride in its student diversity and in 2015, became the fourth UC campus and the first member of the AAU to be named a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). UCSB is also an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). Known for its highly dynamic intellectual community and beautiful natural setting, the University is committed to excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education and research, UC Santa Barbara serves about 25,000 students, including almost 3,000 graduate students enrolled in over 50 programs in engineering, math, life and physical sciences, social sciences, environmental sciences, humanities, arts, and education.  The Graduate Division provides academic services, financial support resources, admissions and outreach programming, and professional development for graduate students at UC Santa Barbara.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Julie Filizetti is leading this search with Phuong Ta. 

The anticipated annual compensation range for this position is $250,000 – $430,000. 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 University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.