Dean of Students

Join Our Team as the Dean of Students!

At San Diego State University (SDSU), we are committed to fostering a culture of care, inclusion, and belonging that supports every student’s success. The Dean of Students plays a vital role in upholding that mission, providing visionary leadership for programs and services that promote student well‑being, engagement, and personal development.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, the Dean of Students provides strategic oversight of multiple student‑facing departments and programs that serve as the backbone of the SDSU experience. This position is a visible, trusted leader and a key contributor to the university’s student support, crisis response, and community engagement efforts.

• Provide leadership, vision, and direction for a portfolio that includes the CARES Team, Center for Commuter & Transfer Life, Center for Student Organizations & Activities, Orientation & Transition Programs, Parent & Family Programs, the Glazer Center for Leadership & Service, Pierce Greek Life Center, and SDSU Connects.
• Lead case management and crisis response coordination, ensuring timely and compassionate support for students in distress.
• Collaborate across campus to uphold policies and protocols related to student safety, well‑being, and success.
• Serve as a senior crisis responder and key participant in emergency management, student death protocols, and behavioral intervention efforts.
• Partner with Academic Affairs and university leadership to strengthen student engagement, retention, and academic success strategies.
• Represent SDSU in community and city partnerships, addressing student‑related issues, public safety, and town‑gown relations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of Assistant Deans, Directors, and professional staff dedicated to advancing student life and leadership.

This position is both strategic and hands‑on, requiring the ability to manage complex issues, inspire collaboration, and make critical decisions under pressure, all while modeling SDSU’s values of inclusion, integrity, and care.

Purpose‑Driven Leadership: Direct initiatives that shape the student experience, ensuring care and connection are at the heart of SDSU’s culture.

Collaborative Environment: Partner with faculty, staff, and community leaders to create meaningful impact on and off campus.

Dynamic Portfolio: Oversee a diverse range of programs that foster leadership, engagement, and student success.

Commitment to Inclusion: Join a division that celebrates diversity and leads the university’s equity and belonging efforts.

Community Impact: Play a key role in SDSU’s relationship with the greater San Diego region, promoting civic responsibility and positive engagement.

• 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., however, due to the nature of the role, evenings and weekends are often required.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity acknowledges and honors the inherent value and dignity of all individuals by fostering a learning and working environment that affirms and leverages our community’s diversity of traditions, heritages, perspectives, and experiences. We are committed to inclusive excellence and to developing leaders who believe in and model civility, mutual respect, and inclusion in our workplaces and society.

For more information regarding the Student Affairs & Campus Diversity, .

• Master’s degree in Counseling, College Student Personnel, Higher Education, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, student support, or crisis management.
• Demonstrated experience in on‑call response, student advocacy, and policy implementation in a higher education environment.
• Experience supervising professional staff, managing…