Dean, College of Professional and Global Education

CSU Careers•Pomona, CA

11d

About The Position

Dean, College of Professional and Global Education Academic Search is assisting Cal Poly Pomona in this search under the direction of Managing Directors and Senior Consultant Dr. Cynthia M. Patterson & Dr. Maria Thompson. In order to be considered, all applicants must submit their applications through both the Cal Poly Pomona Careers page and the Academic Search Careers page . Type of Appointment: Full Time, At-Will Job Classification: Administrator IV Anticipated Hiring Range: $214,500 - $230,000 annually (Commensurate with qualifications and experience) Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm First Consideration Date: March 9, 2026 THE DEPARTMENT: The College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE) at Cal Poly Pomona is a dynamic, future-focused college dedicated to extending learning opportunities beyond traditional boundaries. Guided by its commitment to innovate locally and impact globally, CPGE offers a diverse portfolio of professional, continuing, and global education programs that empower learners to advance their careers, explore new opportunities, and thrive in an ever-changing world of work. Re-envisioned in 2022 and strategically expanded in 2025 with the launch of the Workforce Innovation and Career Engagement (WICE) unit, the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE) now brings together four strategic clusters, including Program Development and Partnerships, Global Campus, Workforce Innovation, and Business Operations. Through this integrated structure, CPGE creates innovative educational pathways that serve working professionals, adult learners, life-long learners and global partners. The College’s comprehensive portfolio includes advanced degrees, professional development courses and certificates, Open University opportunities, Global Campus international education experiences, and lifelong learning initiatives. CPGE is committed to being a transformative partner in workforce development, global engagement, and community advancement. By fostering robust partnerships with industry, government, community organizations, and international institutions, the college aligns its offerings with emerging labor market demands and global competencies. Its strategic growth framework emphasizes innovation in academic programs, student success, industry partnerships, inclusive culture, and global impact. Through its Strategic Action Plan for Growth, CPGE has articulated bold goals: expanding innovative academic and non-degree programs, deepening global partnerships, launching strategic branding initiatives, establishing an Industry Advisory Board, and cultivating philanthropy and diverse sources of external funding to sustain its mission. Together, these initiatives ensure CPGE is positioned as a leader in professional, continuing, and global education with the goals of strengthening Cal Poly Pomona’s economic vitality, extending its polytechnic identity, and enhancing its reputation as a national and international model of innovation in higher education.

Requirements

PhD - An earned doctorate or comparable terminal degree from an accredited institution, or a master's degree with significant professional experience in adult education, online learning, or global education.
A minimum of five years of academic administrative (management level) leadership.
Demonstrated success in developing and scaling innovative academic, self-supporting, and professional programs aligned with workforce needs and market trends.
Demonstrated commitment to communicating and engaging with a broad range of stakeholders in a large public university system.
Prior experience developing and delivering professional and continuing education programs.
Familiarity with the range of existing and emerging technologies and methodologies that support life-long and distance learning.
Demonstrated commitment to cultivating an open, supportive, and collaborative management environment that empowers staff, encourages innovation, and promotes a culture of trust and transparency.
Proven ability to inspire and motivate staff, faculty, and diverse stakeholder groups to advance the institution’s mission, strategic goals, and student-centered values.
Strong personal integrity and high ethical standards, with a professional approach that models accountability, fairness, and respect in decision making and leadership practices.
Exceptional verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to varied audiences.
Ability to interpret, synthesize, and apply information from multiple sources and formats (quantitative, qualitative, visual, and narrative) to inform sound decision making.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to assess challenges, identify opportunities, and implement effective solutions in a dynamic academic environment.
Skill in examining organizational operations, assessing process effectiveness, and recommending improvements that enhance strategic alignment, efficiency, and service quality.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound independent judgment, particularly when managing sensitive information and navigating complex institutional issues.
Ability to effectively convey information, strategy, and vision to a range of internal and external audiences, strengthening partnerships and supporting organizational goals.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success in collaborating with academic units in the development and delivery of self-support degree and certificate programs.
Proven leadership in developing and implementing strategic plans with a track record of achieving measurable outcomes and advancing organizational mission and strategic priorities in higher education.
Demonstrated commitment to shared governance, and if applicable, experience working in a unionized environment.
Experience cultivating industry and community partnerships, securing contract funding, and engaging advisory boards that strengthen industry/community engagement, align programs with workforce needs, and inform the college’s long-term strategic direction.
Proven ability to secure and strategically manage institutional and external resources across multiple funding sources, including workforce development funding, with a focus on sustainability, accountability, compliance, and launching transformative initiatives.
Demonstrated success in budget oversight, financial planning, and effective fiscal management to ensure sustainability and growth of academic and professional programs.
Proven leadership in advancing global education and international partnerships to expand student access and institutional reach.
Strong commitment to inclusion and access with a record of advancing success of a broad range of learners.
Evidence of collaborative, visionary leadership that inspires high-performing teams and builds cross-campus and external partnerships to achieve shared goals.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision Advance a compelling vision for CPGE as an innovative, entrepreneurial, and future-focused college.
Collaborate across CPP colleges and divisions to co-develop interdisciplinary, market-responsive programs and build partnerships with industry, community, and global entities to align offerings with workforce and global needs.
Lead implementation and refinement of CPGE’s Strategic Action Plan for Growth in alignment with university and CSU priorities.
Advance CPGE’s mission as a hub for career-connected learning, workforce innovation, and global education.
Engage in shared governance with the Academic Senate and collaborate regularly with the President, Provost, Deans, and senior university leadership to ensure CPGE initiatives align with institutional strategy and the University's mission.
Model ethical leadership, transparency, and integrity in all decision-making and communications across the university community.
Academic and Program Innovation Expand degree, certificate, micro-credential, online, and hybrid programs that meet emerging workforce, industry, and community needs.
Partner across colleges to design innovative, interdisciplinary programs that respond to evolving market and societal needs through cross-campus collaboration.
Ensure academic excellence and relevance, integrating experiential and career-connected learning into curricula.
Ensure that new and existing programs comply with university policies, accreditation standards, and collective bargaining agreements, upholding academic and operational integrity.
Workforce Development and Industry Engagement Grow and sustain the Workforce Innovation and Career Engagement (WICE) hub as the execution arm of CPGE’s Workforce Engagement Ecosystem.
Establish and strengthen the CPGE Industry Advisory Board and program-specific advisory boards to guide program strategy, relevance and impact.
Build partnerships with workforce boards, corporations, and public agencies to expand customized training, reskilling, and upskilling pathways.
Collaborate with university leadership to align workforce initiative with state, federal, and CSU policy frameworks, ensuring compliance and accountability in all partnership agreements.
Global Campus and International Engagement Lead the growth of CPGE’s Global Campus, expanding international enrollment, partnerships, and exchanges.
Advance global competencies for CPP learners by integrating international perspectives and collaborations.
Strengthen relationships with universities, governments, and industry worldwide to expand global impact.
Coordinate with the Provost, Academic Senate, and relevant university committees to ensure international partnerships adhere to university and CSU protocols, risk management, and academic standards.
Branding, Marketing, and Enrollment Growth Drive strategic branding and marketing campaigns to enhance the College’s visibility.
Use data-driven enrollment strategies to expand reach to new learners and global audiences.
Serve as a regional and global ambassador, building CPGE’s identity and presence in higher education and workforce ecosystems.
Ensure marketing, recruitment, and enrollment practices reflect the University's commitment to equity, inclusion, and compliance with CSU and CPP policies.
Fundraising, Advancement, and Resource Development Partner with University Advancement to secure philanthropic support and external resources to advance CPGE’s mission.
Pursue external contracts, grants, and state/federal funding (e.g., ETP, WIOA, etc.) to grow CPGE programs.
Align financial planning with growth priorities, ensuring fiscal sustainability as a self-supporting unit.
Maintain fiscal accountability through regular budget monitoring, reporting, and alignment with CSU and CPP financial management policies.
Ensure transparency and compliance in all fundraising, grant, and contract activities in collaboration with University Advancement and administrative partners.
Apply data-driven metrics to resource planning and fundraising strategies, ensuring transparency, fiscal accountability and measurable outcomes.
Operational Excellence and Staff Leadership Oversee CPGE’s budget, staffing, and organizational structure to ensure efficiency, sustainability, and policy alignment.
Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, transparency, and professional growth among staff.
Ensure compliance with CSU, CPP, and collective bargaining policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
Supervise and evaluate the performance of professional staff, implementing succession planning and cross-training to ensure operational continuity and strong internal controls.
Develop and maintain effective information management and reporting systems that support decision-making, accountability, and transparency.
Leverage technology and data systems to support digital transformation of processes and services.
Use data and performance analytics to guide continuous improvement and decision-making across all operations.
Promote a culture of collaboration and accountability that values diversity and professional growth.
Uphold the University’s ethical, safety, and compliance standards, including mandated reporter, conflict of interest, and campus security obligations.
Student Success Advance equitable access for diverse, non-traditional, and international learners.
Champion lifelong learning pathways and credentials aligned with labor market demand and the needs of diverse learners.
Partner across CPP to support student success and economic mobility through flexible, inclusive, and career-relevant educational opportunities and engagements.
Foster an inclusive environment that advances equitable success for both learners and employees, ensuring all members of the CPGE community have access to opportunities for growth and belonging.