Position Summary

SDSU is seeking a dynamic, student-centered leader to serve as its next Director of Undergraduate Studies. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about shaping transformative academic experiences and supporting the success of more than 7,000 undergraduates each year. As Director, you will guide innovative curriculum, strengthen high-impact student success programs, and lead a dedicated team that helps students explore their interests, build community, and thrive academically. If you are energized by collaboration, program development, and creating pathways that support diverse learners, this is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on the undergraduate journey.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and enhance core undergraduate programs including General Studies, First-Year Seminar, Undeclared, and the IS3D major
• Oversee curriculum development, course scheduling, and instructional resources that promote student learning and engagement
• Supervise and mentor program directors, advisors, and support staff
• Guide key academic success programs such as Supplemental Instruction and Faculty Student Mentoring
• Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to advance innovative and equity-minded undergraduate initiatives

Why join us?

• Be part of a mission-driven division that values inclusion, innovation, and academic excellence
• Shape programs that directly support the success and belonging of more than 7,000 undergraduates
• Collaborate with committed faculty, staff, and campus partners who believe in holistic student support
• Lead high-impact initiatives and curricular innovation that make a measurable difference in student outcomes
• Thrive in a supportive environment that encourages creativity, teamwork, and professional growth

Position Information

• This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus in San Diego.

Department Summary

Faculty Advancement and Student Success (FASS) fosters inclusive academic excellence through support for faculty careers, professional development, and community engagement and student academic support and enrichment, including the Interdisciplinary Studies in Three Departments major, Undeclared Undergraduate Studies, and the Weber Honors College.

For more information regarding Faculty Advancement and Student Success, click here.

Education and Experience

• Graduate degree in an interdisciplinary and / or education-related academic discipline
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in the administration of campuswide undergraduate academic programs to include the oversight of curriculum in support of student transition and connection to high impact practices.

Key Qualifications

• Understanding of university governance, accreditation, policy, and academic structures
• Knowledge of program design, learning outcomes, instructional methods, and assessment strategies
• Experience with managing academic budgeting processes and understanding of the faculty collective bargaining agreement
• Experience implementing evidence-based best practices in undergraduate retention, engagement, and academic success
• Ability to work with leadership in developing guiding vision, conferring with cross-functional partners, consulting with campus stakeholders, and implementing strategic initiatives
• Experience building and supervising effective teams, mentoring staff, and fostering a collaborative environment
• Experience mentoring faculty and staff for professional growth
• Specific knowledge of San Diego State University student demographics and lived experience as well as workforce trends relevant to career-envisioned curricular pathway preferred

Compensation and Benefits

At San Diego State University, we value our team members and offer a competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience. But that’s just the beginning! Our exceptional benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Leave Benefits: Enjoy 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year.
• Retirement Security: Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan, with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan, plus retiree healthcare benefits.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access a variety of health, dental, and vision plans at no or low cost to you.
• Educational Opportunities: Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.
• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance, Life and Disability Insurances, a Legal Plan, Pet Insurance, and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.

The expected hiring salary for this position ranges from $100,000 to $121,104 annually.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by January 6, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘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 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU 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 SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Taylor Smith at tjaress@sdsu.edu.