President Search

California State University, Los Angeles
President Search

The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees invites nominations and applications for the position of President of California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA). The University's next President must be a visionary leader and a passionate and empathetic advocate for Cal State LA who will build upon the University's storied history within Los Angeles and the Eastside to advance its commitment to student success and community impact.

Cal State LA
Cal State LA was founded in 1947 in response to a growing need for public education, joining as the 8th campus of the 23-campus CSU System. Today, the University serves as the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. In 2022, Cal State LA celebrated its 75th anniversary and maintains a pivotal role at the center of the LA metropolitan area—distinguished by its long-standing relationships with public sector, industry, and community partners. As a testament to the University's commitment to supporting Los Angeles' diverse community and serving as a force for positive change, the University is ranked #1 in the United States for upward mobility and has proudly earned federal designations as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI, 70%), a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).

Situated just east of Downtown Los Angeles, between the communities of East Los Angeles and Monterey Park, CA, Cal State LA offers its more than 27,000 students nationally recognized programs in the sciences, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and the humanities taught by award-winning faculty who are cutting-edge researchers and dedicated mentors. Its nine colleges are home to more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, pre-professional and certificate programs that attract students not only from the Los Angeles metropolitan area, but all areas of the United States and the world. Students are well supported by more than 1,700 faculty dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all students, reflecting the University's commitment to diversity and student success, and boasting a student to faculty ratio of 21:1. Furthermore, at a time when funding of externally sponsored programs has become more limited, Cal State LA faculty continue to win significant grants and contracts and in FY2020 the University received nearly $15 million in research funding.

Cal State LA's student body reflects the diversity of Los Angeles with 74% of students identifying as Latinx, over 15% Asian American, 17.2% White, nearly 6% African American, and just under 6% non-resident. In addition, commensurate with the University's dedication to providing access to a high quality education for all, over 57% of students are first-generation students and 87% receive financial aid. As part of its vibrant campus culture, the University is also home to over 100 student organizations and Cal State LA's Golden Eagles are represented in 14 teams that compete across 9 different sports with its men's soccer team securing the national championship trophy in 2021. For more information about the University, please visit https://www.calstatela.edu/.

Los Angeles, CA
Given its fundamental commitment to civic engagement as a public university, Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good and uniquely positioned in a locale that presents boundless opportunities for partnership. Located in one of the world's most diverse and vibrant cities, Cal State LA reaches beyond campus boundaries to establish partnerships that enrich Los Angeles, the region, the state, and the world. While known for its status as the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles County's economy ranks among the largest globally with an annual output of $807 billion. With existing strengths in manufacturing, entertainment, and international trade, greater Los Angeles' status as a global megacity is further exemplified by its position as a major tech center with more than 700,000 people working in health services and biomedical activities and another 190,000 in aerospace.

Position Summary
The President is appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees and serves as the University's chief executive officer responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and related institutional goals and objectives. The President oversees the University's administration and operations and implements the policies and procedures adopted by the CSU system. The President, with their strong leadership team, will focus on achieving the University's core mission to cultivate and amplify students' unique talents, diverse life experiences, and intellect through engaged teaching, learning, scholarship, research, and public service that support their overall success, well-being, and the greater good.

Cal State LA's next president will be a community-oriented leader who will foster collaborative and effective relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, business and community partners, legislative leaders, and other campus stakeholders. In doing so, the President will actively engage with campus colleagues and the community to spearhead the University's efforts in setting an ambitious trajectory for Cal State LA's future.

Qualities and Characteristics
Cal State LA seeks a President who is an experienced leader, excited by the challenge of helping to move the University forward as it continues its journey toward increased impact in student success, research, scholarship and creative activity, and community engagement. Cal State LA's next President will be charged with guiding the campus community in the development of a shared vision for the future that maximizes the University's social and intellectual strength on behalf of Los Angeles, the Eastside, and its communities. The successful candidate must be able to recognize and act upon the unique characteristics of Cal State LA, its region, environment, and various stakeholders. In addition, the President will possess the ability to articulate the University's vision to its broad constituency and provide leadership in pursuing this vision in close partnership with faculty, staff, students, and the senior leadership team.

Although a doctoral degree and exceptional academic and administrative experience are highly preferred, the CSU Board of Trustees encourages candidates who have achieved noteworthy success in their respective fields outside higher education to apply. These candidates must have demonstrated experience and a track-record of success working in a complex organization where success is achieved in partnership and collaboration rather than solely through direct authority.

To view the full Leadership Profile and list of Qualities and Characteristics, please visit https://www.spaexec.com/pd/CalStateLAPresident.pdf.

Application / Nomination Process
The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately. Applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant experience. Submission of materials via e-mail is strongly encouraged. Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee. All nominations and applications will be handled in confidence.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner
Sal Venegas Jr., Partner
Email: apsearch@spaexec.com
Refer to code "CalStateLA-President" in the subject line

SP&A Executive Search
6512 Painter Avenue
Whittier, CA 90601

California State University, Los Angeles is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

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