Dean, College of Humanities

Job no: 558941
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Northridge
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time

The College of Humanities

With ten academic departments and five interdisciplinary programs, the College of Humanities is the most diverse college at California State University, Northridge. The College comprises disciplines that traditionally make up the study of Humanities-including Philosophy, English, and Modern & Classical Languages-while also housing the oldest and largest Chicana/o Studies Department in the United States and the only Central American and Transborder Studies Department in the country. In addition, core to the College is the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies & Liberal Studies, which puts CSUN among the top three institutions in California in preparing K-6 educators for the classroom. Among the College's newest programs are minors in Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, Queer Studies, and Civic & Community Engagement. In all, the College offers students over 40 major, minor and graduate degree paths, with many potential options for specialization.

About the Position of Dean of the College of Humanities

As a member of the university's senior academic team, the Dean is the chief administrator of the college. The Dean reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and oversees departments and programs in the college. The Dean has primary responsibility for administering college instructional programs; creating and sustaining an environment supportive of academic excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship; developing and promoting long-range goals for the college; supporting interdisciplinary activities among departments of the college; planning, administering, and communicating about the college annual budget; implementing and interpreting university and state policies; making independent recommendations on all college personnel matters; managing, supporting, and evaluating college managers and staff; and recommending appointments of chairs and supervising their administrative functions. The Dean plays a major role in developing external relations with organizations, individuals, the community, and government, and in seeking supplemental external support for the college. The Dean has responsibility for providing effective leadership to support the increasing ethnic and gender diversity and international character of the college. The Dean represents the college in the university and community, and performs other duties assigned by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

As a leader, the Dean will have the opportunity to thrive in a community in which our leaders share common traits as identified in our Leadership Principles https://www.csun.edu/leadership-principles.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution with eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor within one of the disciplines of the college
• At least three years of successful administrative experience in higher education, involving oversight of academic programs, personnel, and/or budget management at or above the level of department chair (or equivalent)
• Demonstrated record of excellence in university-level teaching, scholarship, and/or creative activity
• Demonstrated experience mentoring faculty, promoting faculty research and scholarship, and advocating for resources to support their professional growth
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and work effectively with diverse groups, including students, faculty, staff, university administrators, alumni, and community leaders
• Demonstrated ability to provide visionary leadership, set strategic goals, and promote academic excellence in a complex and diverse academic environment
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion for students, faculty, and staff in all aspects of academic and administrative leadership

Preferred qualifications:

• Five or more years of administrative or leadership experience in higher education, especially overseeing complex operations or large organizational units
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, advancement, or development activities, including securing major gifts or building relationships with donors and alumni
• Demonstrated ability to lead innovation, manage change, and implement new initiatives or technologies in academic settings
• Evidence of successful strategic planning and implementation, including experience with long-term visioning and adapting to higher education trends
• Familiarity and experience working within shared governance structures and fostering collaborative decision-making with faculty and staff in a collective bargaining environment
• Experience using data analytics for institutional assessment, program evaluation, and continuous improvement

More information can be found in the institutional profile at https://www.academicsearch.org/open-searches-public/entry/25391/?search=25391.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $210,000 to $242,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Application Period

The position is open until filled but only applications received by Friday, August 28, 2026, can be assured full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

In order to be considered in the initial review, applications must be submitted prior to the date listed above. Application submissions received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

Effective Date of Appointment: As soon as possible.

How to Apply:

The university is being assisted by Academic Search. Applications should consist of a substantive cover letter, a CV, and a list of five professional references with full contact information. No references will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Applications can be confidentially submitted at: [email protected]

Nominations and expressions of interest can be directed to the search team, electronically and confidentially, at: [email protected]

Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting senior consultant Chris Butler at [email protected].