San José State University
San Jose, California - United States
San José State University (SJSU) invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Science. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU is California’s first public institution of higher education and a nationally recognized urban public university serving more than 40,000 students on an upward enrollment trajectory. Guided by its ambitious Transformation 2030 strategic plan, SJSU is strengthening its position as a student-centered, research-engaged institution committed to access, innovation, and community impact. SJSU’s recent designation as an R2 research university reflects its growing research profile and commitment to advancing discovery while remaining deeply connected to the educational and workforce needs of one of the most dynamic regions in the world.
The College of Science plays a vital role in advancing the University’s mission. Home to nationally recognized academic departments and programs in mathematics, science, and science education, and overseeing the California State University System’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, the College serves as a hub for scientific discovery, innovation, and workforce development. With strong connections to industry, government, and research partners throughout Silicon Valley and beyond, the College is uniquely positioned to prepare students for meaningful careers while addressing complex regional and global challenges through teaching, research, and engagement.
Reporting directly to the Provost and serving on both the Academic Affairs Leadership Team and the President’s Leadership Council, the Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Science, which comprises approximately 108 tenure/tenure track faculty, 74 temporary faculty, 65 staff, and enrolls 3,436 students. The College's budget is approximately $50 million. The Dean provides strategic leadership across academic planning, faculty and staff recruitment and development, student success, research growth, resource management, accreditation, and shared governance. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, University leadership, alumni, donors, industry, and community partners, the Dean will strengthen the College’s reputation, advance research and educational excellence, foster external partnerships and fundraising, and champion the College’s contributions to the University, Silicon Valley, and beyond. This leader will serve as both a strong advocate for the sciences and a collaborative institutional partner who contributes to the success of the University as a whole.
San José State University seeks a strategic, collaborative, and forward-looking leader who brings a record of academic accomplishment and the capacity to lead a complex organization through a period of opportunity and growth. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to student success, research and innovation excellence, shared governance, and will have a clear understanding of the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The candidate will possess strong communication skills, administrative and financial acumen, experience supporting faculty and staff development, and the ability to build productive relationships across the University and throughout the broader community. An earned terminal degree in a discipline represented within the College and credentials sufficient for appointment as a tenured full professor are required. Experience in academic leadership roles such as department chair, director, associate dean, or dean is preferred.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
WittKieffer is assisting San José State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 15, 2027. Application materials should be submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons above or below. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Zach Smith, Ph.D., Alejandra Gillette-Teran, and Sarah Seavey at [email protected]
The salary range for this position is $275,000 to $305,000.
San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).