College of Science Dean Search

Position Announcement

San José State University (SJSU) invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Science.

Reporting directly to the Provost and serving on both the Academic Affairs Leadership Team and the President’s Leadership Council, the Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Science. The Dean provides strategic leadership across academic planning, faculty and staff recruitment and development, student success, research growth, resource management, accreditation, and shared governance. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, University leadership, alumni, donors, industry, and community partners, the Dean will strengthen the College’s reputation, advance research and educational excellence, foster external partnerships and fundraising, and champion the College’s contributions to the University, Silicon Valley, and beyond. This leader will serve as both a strong advocate for the sciences and a collaborative institutional partner who contributes to the success of the University as a whole. Read more here.

Leadership Profile [pdf]

Nominations and How to Apply

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. 

WittKieffer is assisting San José State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 15, 2027. Application materials should be submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons above.

Inquiries can be directed to: Zach Smith, Ph.D., Alejandra Gillette-Teran, and Sarah Seavey at SJSU-ScienceDean@wittkieffer.com.

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Nominate

Search Timeline

  • Late October 2026 - Position Posting
  • January 15, 2027 - Application Deadline (for full consideration)
  • Week of February 15, 2027 - Semifinalists Interviews
  • Mid March 2027 - Finalist Campus Interviews

*Schedule subject to change

Search Committee 2026-27

Committee Chair:  Christopher Smallwood

  • Walter Adams, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
  • Ivano Aiello, Director, Moss Landing Marine Labs
  • Mehrdad Aliasgari, Dean, College of Information, Data and Society
  • Lisa Andreasen, Executive Assistant, Dean’s Office
  • Erika Ebreo, Undergraduate Student, Biological Sciences
  • Laura Miller Conrad, Professor, Chemistry
  • Christopher John Pollett, Chair, Computer Science
  • Christopher Smallwood, Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy
  • Jessica Trask, Associate Vice President for Research

Committee Support:

Office of the Provost:  Jessica Larsen, Search Coordinator
SJSU's People & Culture: Jonathan Beene, Talent Acquisition Specalist

WittKieffer Executive Search Partners: