Job No: 543013; 9/18/2024

PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS 

California State University, Los Angeles, invites applications for the above Administrator IV position.

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) invites inquiries, nominations, and applications from visionary and inspiring leaders interested in serving as the University’s next Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost). The successful candidate for Provost will have the unique opportunity to join Cal State LA at an exciting time of transition as the recently appointed University President, Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, creates a new leadership team that will be responsible for leading the University in fulfilling its commitment to access, academic excellence, student success, and social justice. The new Provost will also play a pivotal role in integrating Cal State LA with the vibrant City of Los Angeles and its surrounding communities.

The University: Located in the unceded lands of the Tongva People, Cal State LA is one of 23 campuses within the California State University system. The University serves nearly 25,000 students and offers 71 bachelor's, 55 master's, and four doctoral degree programs. Situated in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County called “East L.A.,” the University serves an urban area comprised of mostly Mexican-American, Mexican, and Central American families. To the northwest of campus is the San Gabriel Valley, whose concentration of Asian/Asian Americans exceeds that of 42 states. Communities to the University’s south contain many predominantly Black, Latinx/Chicanx, and multiracial neighborhoods.

Cal State LA is reflective of our diverse communities. In 2019, fully one-third of the students were low-income and first-generation and underrepresented minorities. A core belief that the University’s students are amazingly resilient, hardworking, and possess strength is externally validated by the findings of the Third Way national study that ranked Cal State LA first in the nation for upward mobility. Ten years after graduating almost 60 percent of alumni are engaged with the community with careers as educators, public administrators, health care professionals, and social assistance advocates.

Cal State LA transforms lives and communities. The University actively engages with residents and organizations through various programs and initiatives to address pressing needs and foster positive change. Our University has been selected as an anchor institution by the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities as part of a new effort to uplift and transform communities' economies and social well-being nationwide.

One way Cal State LA serves the community is its robust service-learning programs. For instance, the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) harnesses the expertise of faculty and students to promote environmental equity and justice, ensuring a sustainable future for local communities. By bridging the gap between natural and social sciences, the UEC fosters collaboration with non-profits, schools, colleges, city governments, and neighborhood councils, aiming to strengthen community ties. Through education, research, and active engagement, it empowers individuals and communities to reimagine their role in the world, promoting collective and individual responsibility toward a sustainable future.

Increasing Momentum through Partnerships and Community Transformation in Los Angeles (IMPACT LA) aims to harness students' inclination to give back to the community to help them develop as engineering and technology professionals. IMPACT LA has both extra-curricular and curricular components. The extra-curricular activities include the BOOST Program and the Golden Eagle Makers (GEM) club. Since its formation in spring 2023, GEM has grown into a diverse and dynamic group of approximately 20 dedicated interdisciplinary students working with local community organizations to improve people's lives.

Likewise, The Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs is a nonpartisan, presidentially charted institute dedicated to the quest for social justice and equity, enlightened civic engagement, and an enhanced quality of life for all Californians. Former California Governor Pat Brown brought the Institute to Cal State LA in 1987. Today, the Institute seeks to sustain the vision and legacy of Governor Brown by promoting civic and community engagement, helping to advance an inclusive public policy, connecting with and energizing the Next Generation, and serving as a thought leader on vital issues for the region and the state.

Cal State LA's commitment to community service is evident through its diverse programs, impactful partnerships, and ongoing initiatives. As the University continues to grow and evolve, it remains steadfast in its mission to serve and uplift the local community, demonstrating the profound connection between higher education and societal progress. This speaks to the deep commitment of Cal State LA to act with purpose while honoring place.

Together; We are LA.

For more information about Cal State LA, please visit https://www.calstatela.edu/. 

The Position: The Provost serves as Cal State LA’s chief academic leader and is responsible for developing and implementing, in collaboration with faculty, a compelling vision for how a comprehensive urban university can best serve its students and campus community during a period of rapid technological, societal, and political change. The evolving national educational landscape requires that the Provost be a strategic and forward-thinking leader with the agility to navigate short- and long-term challenges while maintaining a steady focus on the core mission and values of the University. To be effective, the Provost must demonstrate respect for and evidence of shared governance and teamwork and have an unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The Provost must be transparent in their actions, function with integrity, and communicate with clarity and authenticity. The Provost must be a proven champion of students, faculty, and staff and passionately communicate the University’s priorities to campus stakeholders and beyond. The Provost will provide overall leadership for the Division of Academic Affairs and serve as a leader of the University in the absence of the President. They must partner with their colleagues on the President’s Cabinet and the Dean’s Council to create a learning environment that places students at the center, inspires creativity and innovation, encourages thoughtful risk-taking, and reinforces a culture that embraces collaboration and collegiality. The Provost will assume a lead role in developing Cal State LA’s new strategic plan, and working together with faculty, students, and staff, will chart the future of the University and identify the strategies necessary to ensure that Cal State LA remains #1 in the upward mobility of its students and a hallmark of academic excellence and scholarship. The Provost will define the University’s academic priorities, align annual goals with the values of the institution, actively participate in annual and long-term University budget planning, and skillfully and effectively leverage the University’s revenue streams to derive the maximum benefit and impact. The Provost will be a fierce advocate for the university’s academic, research, and teaching mission and will assist the President, academic deans, and others in garnering philanthropic and grant support for strategic initiatives. The ability to envision, articulate, and implement strategic goals; establish assessment mechanisms; and re-align resources as necessary. The ability to provide leadership in the areas of fundraising and external relations including collaboration with other divisions in support of development efforts and other extramural funding activities. The ability to develop, strengthen, and leverage new and existing internal and external relationships and partnerships that result in a network of productive and high-impact collaborations. The ability to inspire and foster a shared vision among all internal and external stakeholders. Be passionate about serving underrepresented and minoritized students. Demonstrate a history of support for student success programs and initiatives that generate positive and measurable results. Be proactive in engaging the Greater Los Angeles area, including Downtown Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, and San Gabriel Valley communities and other external stakeholders. Be a champion for promoting access to higher education and student success. Have an awareness and understanding of the trends and issues currently impacting higher education nationally and globally. A commitment to promoting interdisciplinary programs and research as well as identifying and eliminating impediments to effective interdisciplinary initiatives.

Required Qualifications & Experience: An earned Ph.D. or terminal degree in an academic discipline from an accredited institution. The incumbent must have a record of success as an accomplished administrator with progressively responsible academic administration positions in higher education; scholarly record that demonstrates eligibility for appointment as a tenured, full professor at a college within the university; record of successful commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity, and social justice; record of successful leadership in shared governance values and processes; and successful leadership and management experiences, including strategic planning, financial management, and management of staff. The incumbent must have excellent written and oral communication skills. The incumbent must a have demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with senior administrators, deans, department chairs, faculty, staff, and external constituents to achieve institutional goals; and to act decisively under stressful situations. The incumbent must have a demonstrated interest and/or ability to work in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the California State University. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University employees who may apply for the position.

California State University, Los Angeles, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Desired Qualifications: A demonstrated record of commitment to supporting faculty research, grant proposals, professional development, and excellence in university teaching; and history of innovation in developing and supporting academic programs that support student success goals. Demonstrated ability to support the use of effective information technology for pedagogical, administrative, and student support needs. Experience in a public higher education institution and multi-campus system; and working successfully in a collective bargaining environment.

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary range is $9,625 - $30,896/monthly. (Budgeted Hiring Salary Range $26,500 - $28,500/monthly). A comprehensive benefits package is provided.

Appointment:  The Administrator IV appointment will be made under the guidelines for management and supervisory employees of the California State University.  All rights and benefits associated with this appointment are governed by the Management Personnel Plan. 

Application / Nomination Process: The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications in mid-October. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence.

We are partnering with SP&A Executive Search for this search. To review the full profile, please visit https://www.spaexec.com/pd/CalStateLAPVPAA.pdf

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner
Emy Cruz, Partner
Email: apsearch@spaexec.com

Refer to code “CalStateLA-Provost” in the subject line.

SP&A Executive Search
6512 Painter Avenue
Whittier, CA 90601

This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

In addition to meeting fully its obligations under federal and state law, California State University, Los Angeles is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can live and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual. To that end, all qualified individuals will receive equal consideration without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, national origin or cultural background, political views, sex or sexual orientation, gender, or other personal characteristics or beliefs.

Candidates must demonstrate ability and/or interest in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment. Certain positions require fingerprinting. The University actively encourages qualified minorities, women and persons with a disability to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodation will be provided to individuals with protected disabilities to (a) complete the employment process and (b) perform essential job functions when this does not cause an undue hardship. We are an Equal Opportunity/Title IX Employer.

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