Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering and Noyce School of Applied Computing

About the role

The next dean will join Cal Poly at a time of momentum and transformation. The mission of CENG and the Noyce School permeates applied problem solving and Learn by Doing across the university. As such, the dean will work closely with the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and will have university-wide responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, foster, and implement a clear vision to enhance Cal Poly’s and CENG’s engagement with industry, donors, and key internal and external partners
• Support a high-performing community of dedicated faculty and staff
• Advance CENG and the Noyce School as university-wide partners in developing the workforce and leadership to solve applied and pressing problems facing California and beyond, including expanding student participation in high-impact practices and faculty – industry exchanges on a year-round basis
• Foster and maintain strong programmatic and fundraising opportunities with industry partners
• Position CENG as a central contributor to the region’s economic development
• Manage CENG’s complex infrastructure while expanding resources through major-gift fundraising, enrollment strategy, and operational creativity
• Steward the endowed, named deanship by partnering with development leadership, honoring donor intent, deepening alumni and industry engagement, and deploying endowment resources for measurable impact
• Serve as a collaborative university and CSU partner with the provost in advancing shared goals, cross-campus applied problem solving, and initiatives that extend beyond CENG

Qualifications

• Creative, visionary leadership with the ability to execute ambitious goals and anticipate trends across a broad portfolio, including engineering, computing, AI, maritime, shipbuilding, and higher education
• A leadership style that inspires communication, collaboration, excellence, belonging, accountability, and mutually beneficial partnerships
• A demonstrated record of strong academic, industrial, and/or professional experience enhancing industry, alumni, donor, community, government, policymaker, and board relationships
• Systems-oriented understanding of the transformative potential of AI and the ability to guide its responsible, ethical, and mission-aligned use in teaching, research, outreach, and administration
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage resources in a complex environment and to secure external support through philanthropy, grants, contracts, industry sponsorships, and state and federal funding for programs, facilities, faculty, staff, and students
• Cultivate and support excellence in faculty teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, and applied learning
• Enthusiasm for Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy and the CSU mission of being at the forefront of producing "Tomorrow's Future Graduates"
• Experience fostering forward-looking interdisciplinary collaboration, curriculum innovation, applied research, emerging technologies, and student success
• Strong personnel management experience, including success in complex and/or unionized environments
• Excellent communication skills across a wide range of audiences, including the ability to enhance CENG’s national visibility and brand

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 16, and other applicable laws.

Nominations and Applications

To apply, please submit a current and comprehensive curriculum vitae and a letter of interest (2-4 pages) describing why you are interested in the role of Dean of the College of Engineering at Cal Poly, why you are a good fit for the position based on your leadership experience, and why now is a good time for you to consider the opportunity. For priority consideration, please submit all application materials by Friday, August 14, 2026 to Dr. Josh Ward at Josh.Ward@KornFerry.com.