Dean

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), a distinguished public undergraduate and master’s level institution located in San Luis Obispo, California, seeks a strategic, visionary, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Dean of the College of Engineering (CENG). The CENG offers a wide range of highly-ranked programs across engineering and computer science that provide students with an outstanding applied education through its renowned “Learn by Doing” philosophy. The dean will build on the College’s success while advancing Cal Poly’s distinct mission, values, and clear vision of being the nation’s premier comprehensive polytechnic university that develops and inspires whole systems thinkers to serve California and the world.

Founded in 1901 as one of 22 universities in the California State University (CSU) system, Cal Poly is located in San Luis Obispo, a coastal city halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and 15 minutes from the Pacific Ocean, in addition to the newly integrated Cal Poly Solano campus in Vallejo, California that houses Cal Poly Maritime Academy. Cal Poly has consistently been named the best public masters-level university in the West by both U.S. News and 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.

For over a century, Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” philosophy has prepared students to be leaders and problem solvers in an increasingly complex world. The CENG is central to this mission, allowing their students to innovate, design, and create sustainable solutions to real-world challenges. Recognized for the excellence and impact of its programs, the College offers 14 bachelor’s and 11 master’s degree programs across engineering and computer science disciplines, all of which emphasize a hands-on approach to learning and allow students to gain impactful practical and scholarly experiences that prepare them to successfully work and solve global challenges.

The dean will be joining Cal Poly at an opportune time, as the College has a remarkable foundation to build upon, and the dean will accelerate the College’s impressive trajectory of academic excellence. As the University evolves in the coming years through significant change, including projected enrollment growth, the dean will drive an ambitious vision for the College; play an important role in attracting and retaining talented students, faculty, and staff who reflect the demographics of California; secure the facilities, support structures, and other financial and operational resources necessary to support growth and the College of Engineering and Cal Poly’s aspirations; and inspire  top-notch work with faculty and industry to continue to meet workforce needs today and in the future through Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” approach. The dean will be astute in leading the College during a time of rapid change in higher education and at the University by providing a sense of stability while also encouraging innovation, continuing CENG’s strong momentum, and bringing the College to a higher level of success and recognition in a fast-evolving academic landscape.

The anticipated compensation for the position is $300-350K plus supplemental compensation. Cal Poly has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, and referrals, please see below. All applications (including CV and cover letter) should be submitted through the Cal Poly portal here: https://jobs.calpoly.edu/en-us/job/546406/dean-college-of-engineering.

Lindsay Gold is leading this search with Lauren Wilkes and Julia Hochner.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.