Job Details

Dean of Gevirtz Graduate School of Education

Position Number: 6801748
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Position Type: Deans - Education

Dean of Gevirtz Graduate School of Education

University of California Santa Barbara

Position overview
Position title: Jules Zimmer Dean of Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Salary range: The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $250,000 - $400,000; the official annual salary range for this position is $199,700 - $509,900. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: July 1, 2026 or later Application Window

Open date: December 18, 2025

Next review date: Thursday, Dec 18, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Interested applicants should apply at: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-california-santa-barbara-gevirtz-graduate-school-education/dean

The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) seeks an experienced and visionary leader for the position of Dean of the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education ("the Gevirtz School" or "the School"). Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, the Dean will serve as the academic leader and chief executive of the Gevirtz School. The School aims to further its leadership in addressing pressing educational and social issues through interdisciplinary collaborations grounded in research, teaching, and community-engaged service in the areas of education and applied psychology. The Dean will have the unique opportunity to lead the School's dedicated faculty, staff, and students to sustain its academic distinction and reputation while collaboratively envisioning its next chapter of impact and excellence.

UC Santa Barbara is a preeminent public research university and member of the American Association of Universities (AAU). Forbes Magazine ranked UC Santa Barbara as the #8 public university in the country in its 2024-2025 America's Top Colleges list. Its 1,107 faculty members include eight Nobel Laureates, 56 American Academy of Arts and Sciences members, Guggenheim Fellows, MacArthur and Pulitzer Prize winners, and more than 30 members of the National Academy of Sciences. It is home to 12 national centers and institutes. The campus enrolls about 26,000 students and, with only five colleges and professional schools, offers the benefits of a premier research university with a focus on and appreciation for a high-quality learning experience. In 2015, UCSB was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the first AAU institution to receive this designation, and is also an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. UCSB is also known for its natural beauty as the campus sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is bordered by the Santa Ynez Mountains.

The Gevirtz School has a distinguished history of applied research, teaching, and community engagement. Today, the School enrolls approximately 230 graduate students and awards approximately 240 academic degrees (M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D.) and professional credentials (PPS, ESC, MST, SST) each year. The School consists of the Department of Education, which includes the Teacher Education Program (TEP), and the Department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology (CCSP). The School maintains several research centers and clinics and provides three undergraduate minors: Applied Psychology, Educational Studies, and Science and Mathematics Education (with CalTeach).

With the arrival of a new Chancellor and othersenior leaders, UCSB is entering a period of transformation. The next Dean of the Gevirtz School will play a vital role in shaping this moment, working in close partnership with faculty, students, and staff to guide the School with clarity and purpose. Building on the School's rich history, the Dean will be charged with identifying new avenues for innovation and growth while honoring the school's core values. This is a rare opportunity to lead a deeply engaged academic community through a time of change, and to position the Gevirtz School as a national model for research, teaching, and community impact. To achieve these goals, the Dean will address several key challenges and opportunities:

Develop a strategic vision that leverages the School's unique strengths to ensure continued national and international prominence in research, scholarship, and societal impact

Build a sustainable model for finance, revenue generation, research support, and graduate student support

Advance academic programs, expand opportunities for undergraduate enrollment and degree programs, support faculty growth, and foster academic community

Cultivate an organizational culture of transparency, cohesion, and collaboration

Sustain and deepen community engagement and external partnerships

Advocate for the School within and beyond UCSB, elevating its visibility and reputation
Instructions to Apply

UC Santa Barbara has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applications, including CVs and cover letters, should be submitted via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-california-santa-barbara-gevirtz-graduate-school-education/dean

Julie Filizetti, Aku Ammah-Tagoe, Gabrielle Nayar
Isaacson, Miller

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A qualified applicant will possess a doctoral degree in education, applied psychology, or a related field.

Preferred qualifications

UCSB seeks an inspiring leader with an outstanding record of scholarship and strong management and leadership skills. The successful candidate will have many, if not all, of the following qualifications and characteristics:

A record of academic excellence that would qualify them for an appointment as a tenured full professor in a Gevirtz School department.

A distinguished teacher, scholar, and academic leader in education, applied psychology, or a related field who brings a passion for academics, research, teaching, and community-engaged service;

Significant administrative experience with a track record of success in a complex institution;

Intellectual leadership, with the wide-ranging interests required to understand, appreciate, and encourage the varied work within the School;

An astute understanding of finances and the relationship between academic priorities and the budget and the ability to make thoughtful decisions around financial resources;

An extensive track record in building sponsored research and supporting scholarly work, with deep knowledge of the internal and external mechanisms required to sustain and expand a top tier research program;

A demonstrated commitment to student success and the University of California's mission as a public university of promoting accessibility, excellence, and community;

A demonstrated capacity for and interest in fundraising and generating new sources of revenue, including the ability to carry an inspiring message, cultivate key external constituencies, attract partners, raise funds, generate enthusiasm among alumni, and obtain commitments to support the School;

Outstanding communication and listening skills with the ability to articulate a vision, inspire others, attract partners, and generate enthusiasm;

Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence with the ability to connect with the members of the UCSB community and to work effectively across the campus and with external groups;

A collaborative approach to leadership and a passion for advancing a unit in alignment with advancing the overall institution.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

Isaacson Miller will be conducting the reference checks
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03032

Help contact: jsnider@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Job location
Santa Barbara, CA

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03032