Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist California State University, Monterey Bay in its search for an Associate Provost for Student Success & Dean of Undergraduate Studies (APSS & Dean).

For best consideration, please apply by March 6th.

This is a remarkable opportunity for a results-driven strategist and motivated change agent to serve in this critical role as the next Associate Provost for Student Success & Dean of Undergraduate Studies. The successful candidate will set the direction for student success programs and activities enhancing opportunities for students to succeed campus wide. 

Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the APSS & Dean provides leadership, advocacy, coordination, and recommendations for academic and non-academic initiatives supporting student success, persistence, and retention at California State University, Monterey Bay. Units reporting to this position may include the Cooperative Learning Center, the Center for Internships and Careers, Academic Advising, College Support Programs, First Year Seminar/General Education, Communication Across Disciplines, the Institute for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, Study Abroad, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center.  

Working creatively and collaboratively with various segments of the campus community, the APSS & Dean will guide student success and academic programming change efforts, consult with system-wide offices on programming, and develop new campus initiatives in support of student success and university enrollment and retention goals. The APSS & Dean will be a critical voice and leader in the identification and development of proposals for external resources to support student success initiatives.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:  

• Leads the design and implementation of a student success plan to successfully meet the statewide metrics for student retention and completion. Provides oversight for the CSU Graduation Initiative at CSUMB (Otter Promise) and related operations and provides recommendations on budgeting and programming to the Provost; compiles reports as necessary. 
• Provides leadership, management, planning, administration, direction, and evaluation of the Student Success unit which serves enrolled students, family members, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners.  
• Formulates metrics, policies, and procedures for establishing and achieving objectives in student success. Contributes to the development of retention strategies targeted to high-risk groups and provides periodic analysis of impact. 
• Collaborates with College leadership to develop and oversee implementation of student success and retention strategies. 
• Identifies national best practices pertaining to academic advising and its direct impact on student success, retention, transfer, and degree completion. Leads efforts to educate the campus about student success and current trends. 
• Collects and leverages data and analytics to inform student success decision making.  
• Administers the academic petition and exception processes, makes decisions on petitions and recommendations to the Provost, and oversees the analysis and processing of reactivated student graduation petitions.  
• Oversees student appeals and grievances in consultation with Student Affairs and the Academic Senate 
• Serves as Provost’s designee for student withdrawal processes and support, overseeing processes and working in collaboration with Student Affairs and Enrollment Management offices as needed. 
• Advocates for student interests by working collaboratively with the AP for Academic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, AVP for Student Affairs, and student support offices throughout the University to advance strategic goals to support student learning and student success. 
• Oversees the effectiveness of the unit’s programs and services through assessment, review and renewal processes. 
• Advances the mission and vision of CSUMB and the Office of Undergraduate Studies in a collaborative, equitable and inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives. 
• Provides leadership and advocacy for strategic, budgetary, and enrollment planning. 
• Oversees faculty and staff recruitment, professional development, evaluation, and employee relations; Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates the management team within Student Success and Undergraduate Studies. 
• Manages the Student Success and Undergraduate Studies budgets. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

Knowledge/Experience in: strategic planning in higher education; academic policies and compliance; academic planning, resource management; managing enrollment and instructional costs; best practices and successful initiatives for retention and student success in support of operations and growth of academic programs; effective management and administrative methods. 

Skills/Abilities to: comprehensively collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data in the support of applying relevant information to programmatic improvement and successful initiative implementation; manage effectively and work collaboratively in a multicultural, diverse and multilingual learning environment;  lead through collaborative and shared decision-making; promote and sustain a strong, collegial relationship with administrators, faculty, staff and students; integrate technology into planning and development. 
 
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution  
• Five (5) years of experience in a university academic position and five (5) years of experience in an administrative position of sufficient scope to have gained substantial experience in at least one area of student success

 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Scholar and educator, with a record of achievement in his/her field; experienced administrator effective in complex organizational settings 
• Experience in varied higher education activities such as accreditation, compliance, and professional organization service
• Experience working with underrepresented students and maximizing success in higher education; Experience in developing and accessing a comprehensive student success plan as well as identifying new strategies
• Strong collaborative leadership style and a strategic and creative approach to issues; Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to CSUMB’s Founding Vision Statement

 
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with CSUMB.  Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.
• The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083  as a condition of employment. 
• This position will have a duty to report to the Campus Title IX Officer information pertaining to victims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating/domestic violence, and stalking as required by CSU Executive Order 1083.
• This position has been designated as a sensitive position with authority to commit financial resources of the university through contracts greater than $10,000; access to, or control over, cash, checks, credit cards, and /or credit card account information; responsibility or access/possession of building master or sub-master keys for building access; access to and responsibility for detailed personally identifiable Level 1 confidential information about students, faculty, staff or alumni that is protected, personal or sensitive as defined in the CSU Information Security Data Classification Standards; control over campus business processes, either through functional roles or system security access.
• This position is required to comply with confidentiality requirements outlined in the Department of Education’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy and California’s Educational Code Chapter 13 regarding sensitive student issues.
• This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority, will be required to participate in annual training, and to immediately forward to University Police all reports of Clery Act crimes brought to their attention.
• Must possess and maintain a valid license to drive in the State of California, pass the Defensive Training Class, and be insurable under the University's liability coverage.
• May require occasional evenings and/or weekend work.

About the Institution

Powered by an inspiring Founding Vision Statement, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a mid-sized comprehensive baccalaureate and masters granting university whose staff and faculty help transform student lives with a focus on student success and engagement through experiential learning, service learning in its regional community, and the promotion of multicultural and global perspectives on and beyond campus. With a vibrant, diverse student body of over 7,400 students. CSUMB is both a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). 
 
The university’s Strategic Plan prioritizes inclusive excellence through recruiting and investing in the development of a diverse body of faculty, staff, and administrators. CSUMB’s sustainability initiative is to be carbon neutral by 2030. The university’s faculty and staff, many of whom live in the East Campus housing development, appreciate living and working so close to the shores of the beautiful Monterey Bay. As one of the 23 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, CSUMB offers excellent benefits, including access to below-market-rate campus housing and competitive salaries for faculty and staff. 
 
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: 
 
Office environment with standard equipment and tasks.  Position requires working at a computer and desk for extended periods of time.  May require travel between campus offices and off-campus locations.  
 
The health and safety of students, faculty, and staff remain the highest priority. While on campus, students, faculty, staff, and the community will be expected to follow all campus safety mandates.   
 
Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Policy, all students and employees are required to submit their vaccination status to the Otter Vaccination Registry and are encouraged to be vaccinated. 
 
BENEFITS/PERKS:  
 
This is a management level position with an attractive benefits package, which includes:  a vacation accrual rate of 16 hours per month; an excellent choice of medical, dental and vision insurance; long term disability coverage; life insurance; educational incentives; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); and 14 paid holidays a year. For further information, please visit: Benefits Summary. The University Corporation at CSU Monterey Bay also provides access to affordable campus housing, schoonoverparkapartments.com.  

COMPENSATION:
Anticipated Hiring Salary:  $13,953 - $16,279 per month

Living in the Area

CSUMB is the closest CSU to the beach, just one mile from the Pacific Ocean and its beautiful sandy shores. The Monterey Bay area enjoys temperate weather all year round and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation such as kayaking, surfing, hiking, golfing, and mountain biking. Minutes away from amazing natural wonders including Big Sur and Point Lobos, as well as world-famous destinations like Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Pebble Beach, the campus is also close to the Salinas Valley, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, and the San Francisco Bay area.

Adjacent to campus, Fort Ord National Monument encompasses 14,000 protected acres located on the former Fort Ord military base. The land includes more than 80 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and watching wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s home to 44 species of rare plants and animals. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk and run through a range of environments, from grassy hills to coastal shrubland.

CSUMB is just minutes away from some of the most beautiful scenic areas and amazing natural wonders in the world. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the largest of its kind in the United States, includes 276 miles of shoreline and protects one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems. Inhabitants include deep sea anglerfish, dolphins, whales and CSUMB’s mascot, the sea otter.

College of Science students have opportunities like none other because of the proximity to the extraordinary living laboratory of Monterey Bay. The university offers one of the only diving programs in the country with entry through leadership-level diving certifications, as well as scientific research operations.

About 30 miles south of campus, just off Highway 1, lies the majestic stretch of land known as Big Sur. Bordered by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Big Sur “offers unmatched scenic beauty and is famous for its breathtaking coastline, towering redwoods and epic hiking trails,” according to the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

CSUMB sits halfway between the Monterey Peninsula, with the coastal communities of Pacific Grove, Monterey, Seaside and Carmel, and the Salinas Valley, known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" for its abundant agricultural production.

Less than 10 miles from campus, the city of Monterey dazzles with iconic attractions and famous landmarks. Places like Cannery Row and Old Fisherman’s Wharf, which inspired John Steinbeck’s novels, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium draw visitors from around the world.

Take a two-hour drive north to reach San Francisco, one of the most visited cities in the world. San Francisco brims with history, museums, famous attractions and landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Chinatown, and historic cable cars.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by March 6th. 

Please do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to CSUMBAPSSDUS@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com