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California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, a comprehensive public university located in the North Coast region of California, seeks an exceptional leader to serve as President. Uniquely shaped by the surrounding environment, the Cal Poly Humboldt curriculum combines STEM and the liberal arts with creative interdisciplinary approaches to solving real problems facing society, inspiring a new generation of thinkers and doers to transform California for the better. The new President will not only hold a place at the heart of the University, but also within the regional community it serves.

Backed by California’s historic $458 million investment, the California State University Board of Trustees approved a new designation and name change from Humboldt State University to Cal Poly Humboldt in 2022. Today, Cal Poly Humboldt is the third polytechnic institution in the state and the first in northern California. Students live and learn in one of the world’s most beautiful natural environments. The University offers dozens of majors and minors, including programs in natural, terrestrial, aquatic, and marine resources management, science, and engineering that are considered among the best in the nation. Hands-on learning is an important part of Cal Poly Humboldt, with students participating in lab research, fieldwork, volunteer work, and internships. Humboldt’s curriculum demonstrates a long-standing commitment to social and environmental justice and the local community, providing an extraordinary college experience to students.

Standing on 144 acres nestled between ancient redwood forests, Humboldt Bay, and the northern coast range of mountains, the University was originally founded as a teacher’s college in 1913 and has grown into an accredited University with extensive research facilities. Today, with nearly 600 faculty members and over 6,000 students, Humboldt boasts an intimate student experience centered in experiential, place-based learning, as well as one of the best higher education values in the nation. The University offers 60 majors and 15 graduate programs across three colleges, and faculty members are among the top teachers and researchers in their fields. Students are involved in over 100 campus clubs and 13 NCAA Division II athletic teams, and Cal Poly Humboldt Presents brings nationally recognized performers and speakers to campus each year. Humboldt offers specialized programs related to climate resiliency, wildfire management, natural resources, renewable energy, traditional ecological knowledge, marine sciences, and more that address workforce shortages in the state and provide solutions to the complex social and environmental issues California faces today. The University’s students and the education they receive at Cal Poly Humboldt will have a long and lasting impact on their communities, the region, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is the northernmost university of the 23 California State University (CSU) system. It serves the highest proportion of Native American students in the system and is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The CSU system is the largest and most diverse university system in the country and one of the most affordable. Reporting to the Chancellor of the CSU System, the President serves as the chief executive officer for the Cal Poly Humboldt campus. The successful candidate for this position will leverage Humboldt’s many strengths—including its verdant natural surroundings, sustainable practices, and vibrant community—and lead this vital institution in fulfilling its mission to provide affordable, high-quality education that is responsive to the needs of a fast-changing world and regional economic and workforce needs.

Cal Poly Humboldt seeks a visionary, inclusive, and student-centered leader to guide the institution through its next chapter of growth and transformation as a polytechnic institution. Building on the university’s unique history, values, and strengths, the next president will prioritize academic excellence, student success, and community engagement while embracing the university’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The president must lead with integrity, foster a sense of belonging across the campus, and be a visible, engaged member of both the university and the surrounding community. It is essential that the President be prudent and skillful in financial management with a commitment to realizing the full potential of the California State Polytechnic designation.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s next president will be a bold, empathetic, and visionary leader, capable of navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing higher education landscape while remaining deeply committed to the university’s values. By prioritizing inclusion, student success, community engagement, and sustainable growth, the president will lead Cal Poly Humboldt to new heights, ensuring that the university thrives as a beacon of academic excellence, innovation, and social responsibility in the region and beyond.

The next President of Cal Poly Humboldt must have a terminal degree and significant higher education leadership experience. A strong track record in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential. Integrity, effective communication, and the ability to build trust within the campus community are crucial. The ideal candidate should also demonstrate skills in building community partnerships, fundraising, and collaboratively developing and implementing institutional goals.

Additional information regarding the presidential search, including a list of desired characteristics, can be found in the position profile at the link above.

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: CalPolyHumboldtPresident@academicsearch.org.

The position is open until filled but only applications received by January 31, 2025, can be assured full consideration. The University is being assisted by Academic Search. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting consultants Ann Die Hasselmo at Ann.Hasselmo@academicsearch.org, Jay Lemons at Jay.Lemons@academicsearch.org, and Chris Butler at Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org. The expected annual salary range for this position is $396,150 to $435,765, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Title IX/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, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status. If accommodations are needed during the recruitment and interview process, please contact Human Resources at (707) 826-3626 or hr@humboldt.edu.