Compensation Range:
Annual Salary: $175,000.00 - $225,000.00
Dean of the College of Business, Engineering & Technology
National University (“NU”), a private nonprofit leader among adult learners, seeks a Dean of the College of Business, Engineering & Technology (COBET) with a target appointment date of January 1, 2026. Founded in 1971 as an institution to serve veterans and other independent, post-traditional adult learners, NU is an innovator and pioneer in hybrid, on-line and on-site learning and among the largest open-access private institutions of higher education in California. Today, NU enrolls over 40,000 students and has more than 245,000 alumni worldwide. Many graduates serve in helping sectors such as business, engineering, and technology. NU is a leading educator for U.S. military personnel, providing tuition discounts to active duty servicemembers and their dependents. As the leading institution for educators in California, NU has recommended more candidates for California teaching credentials than any other university in the state. NU’s 2028 strategic plan calls for the University to increase access to adult learners nationwide by offering a variety of programs asynchronously online; to reduce tuition until its most deserving students receive an education with no out-of-pocket costs; to implement “Whole Human Education” as an operational strategy to improve student success; to build an infrastructure to support innovative instruction; and to create a culture that attracts and retains top talent, including transparent communication and inclusion.
In this era of rapid technological and social change, our agility and tenacity enable us to deliver world-class educational experiences and the support systems our learners need to succeed. COBET empowers lifelong learners with credentials of value, meeting them wherever they are in their educational journey.
COBET is guided by our core values: The Whole Human Ecosystem, Excellence Unconstrained by Convention, Multifaceted Perspectives, and a Future-Focused Mindset.
- The Whole Human Ecosystem – We put students first, recognizing their potential, acknowledging their life circumstances, and addressing the challenges they face. By offering Whole-Human Ecosystem, we create an ecosystem of support for our learners, enriching both their lives and society through meaningful higher education.
- Excellence, Unconstrained by Convention – COBET is a hub for innovation and student success. Grounded in academic rigor, we continuously evolve to meet the needs of our learners and the ever-changing demands of the global enterprise.
- Multifaceted Perspectives – A broad range of viewpoints, experiences, and expertise strengthens innovation and problem-solving. We foster collaboration, access, and team building across disciplines – bridging education, technology, entrepreneurialism, engineering, and global business – to drive meaningful impact in an interconnected world.
- Future-Focused Mindset – Our courses, programs, and student experiences prepare learners to lead today’s enterprises while envisioning and creating opportunities in emerging and yet-to-be-discovered markets. Our graduates are game changers who drive meaningful progress in society.
In 2023, the School of Business and Economics (SOBE) and the School of Engineering and Technology (SOTE), into a new College of Business, Engineering and Technology (COBET), with the stated mission of providing workforce-relevant education.
COBET is one of six academic units at the university and is currently the second largest, enrolling over 10,000 students. The college offers 45 programs from associate to doctoral degrees and is supported by three academic centers (including the Center for Cybersecurity, supporting its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency). Its academic team includes 68 full-time faculty and over 630 part-time faculty. Programs and faculty are organized into four academic departments: Engineering, Data and Computer Sciences; Finance, Economics, Marketing, and Accounting; Leadership, Management, and Human Capital; and Cybersecurity and Technology.
Each department is led by a Department Chair, and every academic program is overseen by a dedicated Academic Program Director. A complete list of COBET programs is available at: https://www.nu.edu/college/business-engineering-technology/
The Dean serves as the chief academic and strategic officer of the college/school, responsible for advancing a culture of inclusive excellence in teaching, scholarship, research, and service. As a key leader within the University, the Dean provides vision and direction to align the college’s goals with institutional priorities, ensuring the relevance, impact, and continuous improvement of its academic programs. The Dean leads a high-performing academic community, supporting faculty recruitment, development, and retention while fostering a collaborative environment grounded in academic rigor and professional engagement. The Dean oversees the college’s budget, staffing, and operational strategy, ensuring sustainable use of fiscal and human resources in service of both innovation and institutional effectiveness.
The college values alumni, industry, and community partners. The Dean actively seeks external partnerships, funding opportunities, and philanthropic support that expand student opportunity, faculty development, and institutional reach.
Qualifications. The Dean must have the ability to design and implement a strategic vision and precision education as an operational strategy. The position requires commitment to the ideals of open access, lower cost of education, innovation, market relevance and student success. The Dean must be able to work creatively with others to discover the best response to the opportunities and challenges facing the University and must promote respect for all members of the NU community. An ideal candidate will demonstrate evidence of the following:
- 15 years of relevant academic leadership and administrative experience in executive positions in higher education, preferably in multi-disciplinary units or, equivalent combination of education and experience
- An earned doctorate or another terminal degree
- A demonstrated capacity for leadership of a multi-disciplinary unit
- Demonstrated success in leading strategic innovation to improve student success, retention, and academic achievement across diverse modalities and populations.
- Demonstrated experience leveraging technology and data-informed practices to enhance teaching effectiveness, student engagement, and learning outcomes.
- Demonstrated success in the development, implementation, and continuous refinement of strategic plans aligned with institutional mission and college growth.
- Demonstrated experience fostering academic excellence through faculty development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and programmatic innovation.
- A command of significant business, professional, and technological issues to help build educational solutions.
Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment. A complete application will include a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae and contact information for five professional references who can speak about the candidate’s qualifications for this position. (Named referees will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior consent.) The letter of interest should address the candidate’s readiness to meet the expectations for this appointment: leading the development and implementation of the strategic plan, retaining and developing faculty and staff, driving student success in a diverse environment and increasing external industry partnerships and fundraising.
NU is committed to fostering a culture where all perspectives are valued, appreciated, and respected. By promoting mutual respect and embracing the full potential of every individual, we foster innovation and cultivate future leaders.
Application Process
Target Start Date: July 1, 2026
Priority Review Date: Applications received by January 15, 2026 will receive priority review. The application period will remain open until filled and may close once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates has been identified.
Application Materials: Please submit a curriculum vitae (CV), a letter of interest describing your background, leadership philosophy, and interest in the Dean of COBET role at National University, and responses to the application questionnaire provided in the posting.
References: References will be requested from candidates advancing to later stages of the search. Named referees will not be contacted without the candidate's prior consent.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through the National University Careers Page.
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Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies. Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family. For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.
National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 4,500 faculty and staff and serves over 45,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our student population, including adult learners and working professionals.
National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University.
