Dean

The University of La Verne (La Verne) welcomes inquiries, nominations, and applications for the role of Dean of the Cástulo de la Rocha College of Health and Community Well-Being. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead La Verne’s newest college through a transformational era to become a pillar of the University and the local community. By crafting and aligning the goals of the College with the University’s mission, the Dean will cultivate and strengthen the academic and student experience at an institution where one in six undergraduate and graduate students enroll in a health-related degree. The Dean will join a dynamic community of administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community members to build upon the initiatives in the 2025 Strategic Vision and promote the education of culturally competent health professionals to meet the healthcare and public health needs of the region.

Founded in 2021, the Cástulo de la Rocha College of Health and Community Well-Being offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in health administration, child life, kinesiology, psychology, marriage and family therapy, clinical psychology, and athletic training. Through deep partnerships with community health providers, hospitals, non-profits, and others, the College provides students with meaningful clinical, internship, research, and other hands-on experiences critical to a quality education and student licensure requirements. 

The College’s emphasis on health equity and social determinants of health aligns with the University of La Verne’s commitment to providing a distinctive and relevant educational experience that prepares students for successful careers and lifelong learning that will improve and enhance local, regional, and global communities. As an institution, La Verne serves approximately 6,000 traditional age and adult learners from myriad backgrounds, helping make the federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution one of the most diverse universities in the nation. Nearly half of the traditional undergraduates are first-generation students, and more than 70 percent of La Verne students receive some form of financial aid, ranking it sixth nationally for social mobility of students by U.S. News & World Report. 

The Founding Dean will be a strategic, collaborative, and creative leader capable of guiding the direction of the College in alignment with an ongoing emphasis on health and community well-being. They will also embrace diversity and inclusion and be personally engaged and committed to fostering a culture of excellence that inspires students, administrators, faculty, and staff in the College. To be successful, the Dean will be asked to address the following opportunities and challenges:  

• Craft a unified vision that aligns the academic programs to shape the future of community health and well-being in the region;
• Design and implement innovative academic programs that meet the evolving needs of students in the region;
• Establish high standards for academic excellence and student success;
• Build and sustain external partnerships to promote excellence across academic programs; 
• Establish a strong reputation for the college within the academic community and beyond;
• Engage with the local community to address regional needs and contribute to local development;
• Steward resources to support the college’s initiatives and growth with a focus on resource generation through donations, grants, and partnerships;
• Cultivate a collaborative, transparent, and supportive culture.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be submitted below. Electronic submission of materials is required. 

Joe Kralick is leading this search with Luciano Zuniga and Cara Meyers.

The University of La Verne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate in employment. No questions will be used for the purpose of limiting or excluding any applicant from consideration for employment on a basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or interview process should notify Human Resources.