Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Academic Programs
California State University, Bakersfield invites applications for the position of Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Academic Programs. The person selected for this position reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and provides strategic and operational leadership for academic program quality, curriculum and assessment, accreditation, and academic planning. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to working collaboratively with fellow administrators, faculty, staff, and students to advance student success, inclusive excellence, and alignment with CSU and accreditation requirements.
About CSUB
Centrally located on a 375-acre site in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California State University, Bakersfield is home to the Roadrunners - moving forward at lightning speed and championing intellectual progress. CSUB continuously rises in national rankings for its economic value and commitment to student success. Its students are brilliant and increasingly diverse — with the majority of graduates remaining in the Valley to solve the region's complex challenges.
The university serves more than 10,000 students at either the main campus in Bakersfield or at CSUB Antelope Valley, and counts approximately 67,000 alumni from its four colleges:
- Arts and Humanities
- Business and Public Administration
- Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering
- Social Sciences and Education
The university offers 57 undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, CSUB Extended Education offers a number of professional development opportunities, certificates and degree programs to the community. As part of NCAA Division I, the university is home to 16 athletics teams competing in the Big West Conference. CSUB is the only public university within nearly 100 miles. It is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). As a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, the university is committed to diversity, social justice and equity. Many of its students are the first generation in their families to attend college, and they are known as trailblazers achieving new heights of success.
About the Position
The Office of Academic Programs serves as the central coordinating unit for university-wide academic initiatives, policies, and compliance functions. The office manages the full lifecycle of academic programs, shepherding new program proposals through the approval process, coordinating the periodic review of existing programs, and maintaining institutional alignment with CSU and accreditation standards. Academic Programs also oversees general education, graduate programs, and distinctive initiatives such as the Helen Louise Hawk Honors Program, and collaborates with the Division of Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment/Academic Advising to support student success programming. In addition, the office manages institutional accreditation efforts; communication with the CSU Chancellor’s Office on academic matters; and coordination of the First-Year Experience, early and dual enrollment partnerships, and student academic petitions and grievances. Through this comprehensive portfolio, Academic Programs supports academic quality, innovation, and student success across all colleges and disciplines.
The AVP/Dean provides strategic and operational leadership for these functions, ensuring that academic programs and policies advance institutional goals, promote inclusive excellence, and align with CSU system priorities. The position collaborates closely with deans, faculty, and shared governance bodies to strengthen curriculum, assessment, accreditation, and student learning outcomes while serving as the principal advisor to the Provost on academic program matters.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Academic Program Leadership & Strategic Planning
- In partnership with the Provost, provide vision and strategic direction for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of all academic programs across undergraduate, graduate, and credential levels.
- Collaborate with college deans, department chairs, faculty governance, and other senior administrators to ensure programs align with institutional mission, CSU system priorities, and regional workforce needs.
- Serve as a primary advisor to the Provost on academic priorities, academic operations, and systemwide initiatives, providing analysis and recommendations on policies impacting faculty, curriculum, and students.
- Execute the Academic Master Plan in concert with university strategic and enrollment plans, ensuring data-driven decision-making and measurable outcomes.
- Champion academic innovation through new program development, interdisciplinary initiatives, and expansion of online, hybrid, and experiential learning opportunities.
- Coordinate, review, and monitor academic planning processes, including enrollment targets, academic scheduling, and program capacity management to optimize student access and degree progress.
- Represent Academic Affairs in shared governance bodies, systemwide committees, and community partnerships to advance institutional visibility and influence in higher education policy.
Curriculum, Program Review & Accreditation
- In coordination with the Provost, oversee the university’s curriculum approval process, ensuring proposals for new, revised, or discontinued programs meet CSU and accreditation standards and align with institutional goals.
- Direct and coordinate the academic program review cycle, ensuring that reviews are evidence-based, faculty-driven, and used to improve program quality, resource allocation, and student learning outcomes.
- Serve as the institutional lead for regional accreditation (e.g., WASC/WSCUC) and act as the primary contact for programmatic accreditations; ensure compliance with all applicable standards, reporting timelines, and follow-up actions.
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and templates for program assessment, learning outcomes, and curriculum documentation in compliance with CSU Executive Orders and Title 5 regulations.
- Integrate assessment results into academic planning, budgeting, and decision-making processes to promote continuous improvement.
- Support faculty and staff in designing and assessing high-impact academic practices, student learning outcomes, and co-curricular components that contribute to degree completion and post-graduation success.
- Coordinate with the Office of Institutional Research Planning and Assessment, deans, and faculty assessment coordinators to analyze data trends in enrollment, retention, and graduation for continuous improvement and accreditation documentation.
Academic Policy, Faculty Collaboration & Student Success
- Collaborate with faculty governance to review, develop, and implement academic policies and procedures impacting curriculum, academic standards, and student progression.
- Partner with faculty and deans to strengthen academic advising, general education, and high-impact learning initiatives to support retention and graduation goals.
- Liaise with the Faculty Teaching and Learning Center to support inclusive pedagogical practices and programs that close equity gaps and foster a supportive academic environment for diverse learners.
- Serve as a liaison to the Academic Senate, maintaining transparency and consistency in academic policy interpretation and implementation.
- Partner with the Provost and deans to support instructional quality initiatives and academic innovation.
Resource, Personnel, & Operational Management
- Provide administrative oversight for the Office of Academic Programs, including supervision, evaluation, and professional development of managerial and professional staff.
- Oversee the unit’s fiscal resources, ensuring efficient allocation aligned with academic priorities and compliance with CSU and campus fiscal policies.
- Collaborate with the Provost and deans on multi-year academic resource planning, faculty position management, and budget forecasting for program growth and sustainability.
- Support efforts to obtain external funding through grants, partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives that enhance academic program development and institutional capacity.
- Represent Academic Affairs in systemwide and community forums related to academic planning, program quality, and accreditation.
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience- Candidates must possess an earned Doctorate degree or terminal degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution and academic accomplishments appropriate for the rank of Full Professor. Prior experience as an administrator, department chair, academic leader (academic dean, associate dean, department chair, program director, etc.), or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications:
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- Experience within the California State University system or comparable public higher education environment.
- Demonstrated success directing curriculum systems, assessment processes, or institutional effectiveness functions.
- Familiarity with academic technology systems (e.g., curriculum management, assessment, data dashboards).
- Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
Compensation: This appointment is in the Management Personnel Plan and is a full-time, 12-month position. The pay basis is monthly.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $16,834 - $17,667
However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.
CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,891 - $22,119
Benefits: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 14 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.
How to Apply:
Complete applications must include the three (3) items listed below:
- A cover letter clearly addressing how their experience, current responsibilities, and qualifications meet the standards and responsibilities as outlined in the job announcement above,
- A complete curriculum vitae, and
- The names, email, mailing address, and telephone numbers of at least five (5) references
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through February 22, 2026.
Background Check: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
Mandated Reporter: The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.
Sensitive Position: This position is considered a sensitive position. Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.
Designated Position: This position is currently on the List of Conflict of Interest Designated Positions for CSU Bakersfield. This requires the filing of a statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every two years thereafter.
The California State University (“CSU”), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation. The CSU Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, prohibited consensual relationships, and retaliation.
Campus contact for our Nondiscrimination policy is Allan Williams, Associate Vice President of Civil Rights & Compliance, (661) 654-2713.