Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation

Job Description:

Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation

Description

• • Position Summary
  • Full-time position under the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) available on or after January 4, 2027 for the Division of Academic Affairs.
    
    California State University, Stanislaus is seeking a visionary and experienced leader to serve as the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation. At an exciting time in our history, Stan State is launching a new strategic plan, forming a new College of Health, Human Services and Education, and eager to create an environment of innovation, research, and professional career enhancement. As we near the launch of multiple high demand graduate programs, the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation will have the opportunity to build graduate programs and research, and contribute significantly to developing a strong legacy for the Central Valley.
    
    This position reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and provides leadership for the graduate program and research portfolio. Specifically, the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation is responsible for leading and expanding the portfolio, growing graduate program enrollment and ensuring the quality of graduate programs, fostering a campus-wide graduate-student culture, creating and expanding that campus climate for obtaining external funding, and refining and developing policies and procedures related to these areas. The Associate Vice President also supports faculty and student innovation by providing guidance and resources related to technology transfer, patents and invention disclosures, and pathways for those interested in further developing or applying discoveries resulting from their research and scholarly work.
    
    The Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation work in consultation with the Provost and academic Deans with other divisions on campus. The units under the Associate Vice President’s supervision include: Graduate Studies; the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP); and the Center for Excellence in Graduate Education (CEGE). The Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation is a member of the Provost’s Advisory Council and the President’s Extended Cabinet. He/She/They will serve as a key advisor to the Provost and President regarding graduate programming, research development, and innovation opportunities and to the Vice President of Budget and Finance and Chief Financial Officer regarding policies and procedures that facilitate faculty and student research and graduate programming.
    
    
  • Job Duties
  • Duties include but are not limited to:
    • Provide strategic vision, supervision, and mentorship for the growth of graduate programming development at Stan State.
    • Support the oversight and review of all proposals for new and existing graduate curriculum as approved through the various mechanisms and committees.
    • Serve with Academic Affairs leadership and College Deans as administrative liaison to the Graduate Council and relevant curricular committees.
    • Lead and/or facilitate dialogues and development of innovative graduate programs and initiatives.
    • Support graduate disciplines seeking or renewing accreditation and monitor progress to facilitate the accreditation process and ensure access to accredited degrees in the Central Valley.
    • Oversee the assessment process of all graduate academic programs by authorized campus entities, including annual reporting of review and accreditation results in the update of the CSU Academic Master Plan.
    • Ensure graduate program and credential quality through the development and implementation of academic policies and assessment processes.
    • Oversee compliance with CSU policies, regulations at all applicable levels, and university requirements associated with graduate education.
    • Ensure that data-informed strategies and diverse analytics are used for decision-making related to improved student outcomes, program development, and resource allocation.
    • Coordinate and serve as an ex-officio member of the Graduate Council and other relevant curricular committees.
    • Develop policies to facilitate faculty, student, and staff research enhancement and support.
    • Oversee review of grant proposals and reporting for new and continuing submissions.
    • Enhance faculty exposure to and active pursuit of grant-related opportunities, including facilitating meetings with project officers from governmental and philanthropic organizations.
    • Ensure compliance with federal, state, CSU system, and university policies governing university-sponsored research, including protection of human subjects, animal welfare, intellectual property, export controls, and misconduct in research.
    • Review proposals for external funding and advise the Provost concerning approval; participate in negotiations regarding cost-share, matching funds, in-kind contributions, and facilities requirements associated with funding proposals.
    • Maintain connections to system-wide research initiatives.
    • Coordinate and serve as an ex-officio member of the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (RSCA) Policy Committee, University Institutional Review Board (UIRB), and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
    • Ensure that data-informed strategies and analytics are used to enhance research, grant making, and related resource allocation.
    • Provide strategic leadership for graduate student recruitment, enrollment growth, retention, and student success, working collaboratively with Graduate Program Directors, academic colleges, Enrollment Services, and other relevant university units.
    • Partner with Graduate Program Directors to strengthen program-level recruitment and admission practices, including prospective student engagement, timely program review of applications, program admission recommendations and decisions, admitted-student engagement, and enrollment yield.
    • Foster a strong partnership between Graduate Studies, Enrollment Services, and Graduate Program Directors, with clearly defined responsibilities for program-level admission and university-level admission functions. Graduate Studies and Graduate Program Directors will focus on program-level admission, recruitment, and enrollment strategies, while university-level admission processing and functions, including Cal State Apply/CSU Apply processing, residency determination, and institutional transcript and GPA evaluation, remain within Enrollment Services.
    • Collaborate with Enrollment Services and Graduate Program Directors to identify and address barriers throughout the graduate enrollment funnel, support timely processing and program admission decisions, strengthen communication with prospective and admitted students, and improve enrollment conversion and yield.
    • Coordinate with the Office of Global Engagement, Enrollment Services, and Graduate Program Directors, as appropriate, to support the recruitment, program-level review, communication, and enrollment of international graduate students while maintaining established responsibilities for university-level admission functions.
    • In consultation with Graduate Program Directors, provide leadership for graduate retention and student success strategies, including effective interventions and support for students experiencing academic difficulty.
    • Ensure Stan State student awareness of and access to the CSU Pre-doctoral Scholars Program, Graduate Equity Fellowships, Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (SERSCA), CSU Student Research Competition, CSU and federal forgivable loans, and other applicable opportunities.
    • Provide opportunities and support for graduate students to engage in research, scholarly investigations, creative activities, experiential learning, and other opportunities that contribute to academic and career success.
    • Provide opportunities and support for students to engage in research, scholarly investigations, and creative activities.
    • Provide opportunities and support for faculty to engage in research, scholarly investigations, and creative activities and promote recognition of outstanding student and faculty scholarship and creativity through awards programs, research forums and conferences, and publications.
    • Foster and support interdisciplinary research endeavors.
    • Collaborate with the Office of Academic Affairs and Marketing and Communications to build a messaging strategy for graduate programs and research throughout Stan State.
    • Work with the Office of Academic Affairs to build and manage budgets associated with graduate studies and research.
    • Promote coordination among Graduate Studies, research programs, academic colleges, and other university units in advancing institutional graduate education and research priorities.
    • Engage in other duties as assigned.
  • Minimum Qualifications
  • Education: Earned doctorate and the appropriate academic credentials to qualify for appointment as a tenured full Professor in one of the colleges/schools within the Division of Academic Affairs, including substantial evidence of research and scholarly activities.
    Experience: A minimum of three years of progressive experience and leadership in college/school academic administration, equivalent to research director, chair or associate dean, including the development of interdisciplinary programs.
    
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • • Equity advocate who recognizes the community cultural wealth and forms of capital of first generation-educated populations.
    • The desire to build graduate programs and research opportunities that would serve the Central Valley.
    • Skilled in budget management and reporting to diverse funders within a complex campus, system and state budgetary environment.
    • Successful experience and effective skills at working with unions and faculty and staff union representatives.
    • Clear understanding of current CSU and national higher education issues, policies and priorities.
    • Knowledge of campus and CSU policies, procedures and practices in Graduate Studies and Research.
    • Ability to develop institutional policies and practices that are consistent with trends in federal, state, and higher education law.
    • Demonstrated experience working effectively in an academic shared governance environment.
    • Demonstrated experience working in a Hispanic Serving Institution and an aspiring AANHPI campus.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
  • • Knowledge of graduate higher education issues and trends, curriculum, accreditation and program evaluation, assessment, and high impact practices at the graduate level;
    • Knowledge of graduate enrollment management practices, including recruitment, admissions, yield strategies, and retention of a diverse and highly qualified student population;
    • Demonstrated leadership in academic support services for historically underserved populations at the graduate level;
    • A strong track record of funded research serving as Principal Investigator, co-PI and through collaboration across disciplines as demonstrated by NIH, NSF, and other funding sources;
    • Skills in consultative decision-making, deliberative listening, change management, and demonstrated strengths in leadership, planning, and evaluation.
    • Demonstrated ability to support a highly collaborative, solution-oriented climate while building trust and ensuring shared governance in curricular review and accreditation processes;
    • Knowledge of grant mechanisms, institutional review and compliance procedures, and pre and post award procedures;
    • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and complex university environment with staff, faculty and administrators;
    • Ability to analyze complex problems and to devise innovative solutions;
    • Demonstrated capacity to work independently and as a collaborative and positive team member, be self-directed and results oriented. Ability to perform all the essential functions of this position.
    • Demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed publications and mentoring faculty in publishing and grant making;
    • Demonstrated entrepreneurial experience in developing, implementing, and sustaining graduate programs through faculty professional development, mentorship, and collaboration;
    • Commitment to building infrastructure and providing leadership that supports graduate studies, research, and grants and contracts;
    • Experience in consensus building, mentorship, and training;
    • Experience building partnerships with industry, government, NGOs and community-based organizations to support graduate student research, internships, and career pathways as outlined in CSU Forward;
    • Knowledge of research and student-oriented computer office systems and ability to use a broad range of technology and software; and,
    • Experience in developing and implementing initiatives to meet short- and long-term Presidential priorities.
  • Salary Range
  • Anticipated starting salary will be $185,000 - $205,000 per year plus excellent paid benefits. Salary will depend on the qualifications of the successful finalist.
    
    
  • Compensation & Benefits
  • Commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, outstanding vacation, health, dental, and vision plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. Link to Benefits Summary: CSU Employee Benefit Summary
    
    
  • How to Apply
  • To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a completed Stanislaus State online employment application, cover letter, and resumé. Applications are accepted electronically only. Please note that failure to completely fill out each section of the online application may result in your application not receiving consideration. To apply online, please click the “Apply Now” button on this page.
  • Application Deadline
  • OPEN UNTIL FILLED; SCREENING TO BEGIN ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 5, 2026. (Applications received after the screening date will be considered at the discretion of the university.)
    
    
  • Criminal Background Clearance Notice
  • Satisfactory completion of a background check (which includes checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records; and may include motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) is required for employment. CSU 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 CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
    
    
  • Additional Information
  • Campus & Area
    California State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion - one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.
    
    Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West’s No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.
    
    Clery Act Disclosure
    
    Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the annual security report (ASR), is now available for viewing at https://www.csustan.edu/annual-campus-security-report . The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Stanislaus State for the previous three years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the office of the Clery Director located at One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382.
    
    Equal Employment Opportunity
    
    The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. 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, revised 7/21/17, as a condition of employment.
    
    Applicants requiring necessary accommodations to the application process may contact the Human Resources Department at (209) 667-3351. California Relay Service is available at (800) 735-2922 voice and (800) 735-2929 TDD. As a federal contractor, we are committed to attracting a diverse applicant pool. Please consider completing the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (your response will not be shared with the search committee) at: Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability PDF Form .
    
    CSU Stanislaus hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
    
    The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.
    
  • The individuals who appear to be the best qualified for this position will be contacted by telephone or email for an interview.
    
    INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
    
    

Advertised: Sep 03 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: