Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies

CSUN's Commitment to You

CSUN is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning, and inclusion. Our values include a respect for all people, building partnerships with the community, and encouraging innovation, experimentation, and creativity. CSUN strives to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. CSUN actively seeks candidates who make contributions to equity and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence for all members of the university community.

The University

One of the largest universities in the country, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is an urban, comprehensive university that delivers award-winning undergraduate and graduate programs to over 36,000 students annually and counts over 425,000 alumni who fuel the region’s economy. Since its founding in 1958, CSUN has made a significant and long-term economic impact on California, generating nearly $1.9 billion in economic impact and more than 12,000 jobs each year. We are a designated Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution and nationally recognized for our success in serving our diverse student body. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked CSUN fifth in the nation for social mobility, CollegeNET ranked CSUN 11th on the 2024 Social Mobility Index, and The New York Times named CSUN the No. 1 public university for economic diversity.

About the Position of Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies

The Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies (AVP GS), a highly qualified and motivated person, will, under the supervision of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, provide leadership and oversight of all aspects of graduate education and related academic functions, and is responsible for furthering graduate studies at CSUN. In this capacity, the AVP GS leads the Office of Graduate Studies and works closely with the Provost’s leadership team, college deans, and department chairs/program directors/graduate coordinators to develop and implement strategic plans for graduate education. The AVP GS provides leadership, collaborates with colleagues from all divisions, and represents CSUN and its graduate programs across the region, including acting as a liaison with the California State University’s Office of the Chancellor and beyond.

As a leader, the AVP will have the opportunity to thrive in a community in which our leaders share common traits as identified in our Leadership Principles .

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution with eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor
• Equivalent to six years of progressively responsible professional/administrative experience in higher education, with three of the six years in a managerial role
• Demonstrated leadership and substantial administrative experience in graduate program management, including recruitment, retention, and training of graduate students
• Demonstrated ability to maintain awareness of the challenges faced by faculty in the recruitment, teaching, mentoring and support of graduate students
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills
• Demonstrated ability to foster trust, respect, problem-solving, and teamwork across departments and colleges
• Strong analytical, organizational, managerial, and administrative skills
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and lead initiatives that affect and involve multiple stakeholders
• Strong cultural awareness and demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with accreditation processes and ensuring compliance with regional, national, or professional standards for graduate programs
• Demonstrated ability to implement innovative practices in graduate curriculum, program delivery (e.g., online/hybrid), or student professional development
• Experience in marketing graduate programs and managing enrollment strategies to attract a diverse, high-caliber student body
• Experience facilitating the accessibility of graduate studies through research and training grants
• Proficiency in gathering, analyzing, and using data to inform strategic planning, program improvement, and evidence-based decision-making
• Success in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and developing cross-college graduate programs

More information can be found in the institutional profile at .

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $180,000 to $200,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Application Period

The position is open until filled but only applications received by Friday, January 23, 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, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to: [email protected]

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

Background check

This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the status of candidates who apply for the position.

CANRA

The person holding this position will be considered a 'limited 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 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Disability (physical or mental), Gender, Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Pregnancy or related conditions, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion or Religious Creed, Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics), Sexual Orientation, and Veteran or Military Status. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy . Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Recruitment Services at 818-677-2101.