Dean, College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management

California State University, Chico

Search for the Dean, College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management

Chico, California

California State University, Chico (CSU, Chico or Chico State) seeks a progressive leader for the position of Dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management. This is a distinct opportunity for a multitalented and mission-oriented leader to head a pioneering and diverse College nestled within an historic campus in a beautiful natural setting. Chico State provides students a unique highly residential experience with a focus on undergraduates. The campus motto, “Today Decides Tomorrow,” is brought to life by experiential learning, student-focused faculty, and innovative thinking.

The College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management (ECC) is home to the CSU system’s first degree programs in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Animation and Game Development, Concrete Industry Management, Mechatronic Engineering, and Sustainable Manufacturing. Long a home to innovative thinkers committed to solving pressing world issues, the College boasts an alumni base that includes corporate leaders as CEOs, presidents, and vice presidents of international corporations. Graduates of the College are uniquely passionate about the role of the “Chico Experience” in their professional lives, and the successful candidate will embrace and enhance the College’s reputation for excellence and innovation.

Operating as part of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system, Chico State is a comprehensive public university enrolling over 17,000 students. Founded in 1887, Chico State is the second-oldest CSU campus, and the anchor institution in Northern California, serving an expansive 12-county service area. Chico State comprises seven colleges and five schools. The University also has 28 specialized centers, including the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems, Center for Entrepreneurship, Center for Healthy Communities, the North State Collaborative, California Pavement Preservation Center, the Mechatronics Center, and the Center for Water and Environment to name a few. Chico State has been rated a top-10 regional public university in the West by U.S. News and World Report since 1998, when the rankings began, and earned the highest possible score on the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scoreboard.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and energetic leader with a forward-looking perspective on the role of external fundraising and corporate and community partnerships, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as sustainability and the environment, with the ability to represent and raise the visibility of the College internally as well as externally. The new Dean will bring a strategic approach to addressing a range of opportunities and challenges, including:

  • Creatively leverage the diversity of the College, the assets of the Chico campus, and the strengths of the CSU brand to deliver an excellent student experience
  • Bring strong financial acumen to explore additional fundraising and revenue opportunities
  • Expand opportunities for interdisciplinary growth and nurture the teacher-scholar ethos
  • Serve as an ambassador for the College throughout northern California and beyond

Chico State has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Review of Applications will begin in early October, and continue until the position is filled. For priority consideration, materials should be received by November 20, 2019. Applicants should submit a complete and current curriculum vitae, as well as names, addresses and telephone numbers of up to five references. A cover letter of interest should indicate how the applicant's qualifications relate to the responsibilities of the Dean. Applicants should briefly articulate their administrative philosophy and the role of the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management in public higher education. In addition, each applicant must complete the Executive Application form which is available online (https://www.csuchico.edu/oapl/_assets/documents/faculty-employment-application.pdf). As a condition of employment, persons will have to submit to a confidential background check and submit official, sealed transcripts. All information obtained will be strictly confidential.

Nominations of candidates are welcome. Nominations should include the name, position, address, and telephone number of the nominee.

Electronic submission of applications and correspondence is required. More information as well as the opportunity to submit applications, inquiries, and nominations can be found at www.imsearch.com/7208.

Deborah Hodson and Joe Kralick

Isaacson, Miller

1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA 94111

Phone: 415.655.4900

CSU, Chico is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Americans with Disabilities Act employer.