Dean of Extension

UC San Diego Extension

Dean of Extension

UC San Diego Extension draws upon the intellectual resources and expertise of UC San Diego to address compelling educational needs in the state, the region, the nation, and the world through continuing and professional education programs, as well as pre-college/pre-career programs of the highest quality and relevance in a diverse array of disciplines and subject areas. UC San Diego Extension serves the critical lifelong learning and skill development needs of more than 80,000 annually, including more than 27,000 students in over 4,400 courses. For the first time in four decades, the University invites nominations and applications for the next Dean of Extension. 

Reporting directly to UC San Diego’s Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Extension provides leadership for the strategic direction and operations of the division in the development and delivery of continuing, professional, and pre-college education in traditional classroom settings at multiple locations, through online and other distance education modes, and via blended learning. The Dean will oversee and lead academic and strategic planning, educational needs assessment, academic program quality and delivery to diverse audiences of non-matriculated UC San Diego students; development of campus and community partnerships; leadership of 200 full-time academic and staff personnel; equity, diversity, and inclusion; , organizational and financial management; contract and grant management; and university engagement activities nationally and internationally, to continue and increase the impact and quality of UC San Diego Extension.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

With a passion for serving the community at every stage of learning and with a deep commitment to fulfilling and promoting both access and academic rigor within Extension’s mission, the next Dean will embrace the following opportunities and challenges:

  • Setting the strategic vision for the future
  • Expanding internal and external collaboration and community integration
  • Driving revenue generation for Extension and UC San Diego
  • Providing exceptional, inclusive leadership and staff management

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The next Dean of Extension must be a highly engaged, visible, and collaborative leader with a deep understanding of the evolving challenges facing higher education and continuing education in the region, the nation, and the world. The next Dean will show vision, confidence, courage, and conviction in leading Extension and will be energized by the unique possibilities for leadership and innovation afforded through UC San Diego’s outstanding reputation. The next Dean will possess many of the following qualities and qualifications:

  • Ability to set a vision for expanding the University’s reach to a new array of individuals and a broader and more diverse group of learners;
  • Strong strategic planning acumen with the ability to gain buy-in and collaborative engagement from a broad and diverse set of stakeholders;
  • An equity-minded leadership style and a demonstrable commitment to enhancing diversity and promoting inclusion; experience in recruiting and developing excellent instructors, staff, and students, including women and members of racially and ethnically underrepresented groups;
  • Extensive and successful administrative experience in universities or similarly complex institutions with an emphasis on self-supporting continuing education;
  • Experience leading teams in the design, implementation, and evaluation of large-scale, broadly delivered educational offerings deploying traditional in-person classroom delivery, digital/remote/online modalities, and blended learning;
  • Experience identifying and fostering collaborations with external constituencies (e.g., corporations, foundations, non-profits, professional associations, consortia, etc.) and working with them to design and deliver innovative educational programming;
  • Experience working closely with faculty members and academic leaders and within a shared-governance system to design and deliver educational programming;
  • Understanding of issues involved in effective delivery of high-quality instructional programs;
  • Ability to apply interpersonal communications and interactions with staff and academic personnel at all levels of an organization in support of complex educational initiatives and issues;
  • A demonstrated passion for educational innovation and transformative leadership;
  • Demonstrated skill in managing complex budgets and in external resource development; and
  • The highest degree of ethics and personal integrity.

A terminal degree in any discipline is required, as well as experience in innovative education, social engagement, politics, or business leadership, among others.

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications (including Contributions to Diversity statements) to:                                    

Ruth Shoemaker Wood, Partner

Holly Jackson, Senior Associate

UCSanDiegoExtensionDean@storbecksearch.com 

For more information, please visit UC San Diego Extension’s home page at

https://extension.ucsd.edu/

 The University of California San Diego is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Diversity is a defining feature of the University of California, which embraces it as a source of strength. Differences —of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, socioeconomic status, abilities, experience and more —enhance the university’s ability to achieve its core missions of public service, teaching, and research. UC welcomes faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and wants everyone at UC to feel respected and valued.