Description
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California, is seeking a full-time 12-month department head for its Experience Industry Management Department.
This position has a starting date of no later than July 31, 2026. The Department Head is a faculty position and will provide leadership for all programmatic and administrative functions including instruction, research, and alumni and industry engagement. The Department Head leads a talented team of 7 tenure-track faculty members, 1 full-time lecturer, a pool of part-time lecturers, and 1 staff member who engage with approximately 381 undergraduate students enrolled in the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration major and 70 students enrolled in the Event Planning and Experience Management minor.
This position will provide leadership for the Experience Industry Management Department in the following areas:
Faculty and staff hiring, development, mentoring, and workload assignments
advancement and fundraising
Management of budget, facilities, and departmental resources
Departmental curriculum development, assessment, and strategic planning
Equal-opportunity, accessibility, and nondiscrimination initiatives that foster a respectful and inclusive academic environment for all
The successful candidate will also teach undergraduate and potential graduate courses in the program through in-person, online, hybrid or other modalities as needed. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in scholarly activities (i.e., research, publishing, presenting, and grant or contract writing) as part of professional development. Additional duties will include mentoring students, and participating in University, College, and Departmental committees, service, and other activities.
The Cal Poly community believes in the "teacher-scholar model,” which emphasizes scholarly activities and teaching excellence.
Department Head appointments and 12-month assignments are made and continue at the pleasure of the College Dean. This is a tenured position within the Experience Industry Management Department. Appointments with tenure shall be made only after an evaluation and recommendation by tenured faculty in the appropriate department. Tenure is given only in the instructional portion of the position, which includes teaching, research, and service. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Experience Industry Management Department of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences offers a B.S. in Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration and a minor in Event Planning and Experience Management. The Experience Industry Management department, accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions, offers areas of study in Event Planning and Experience Management, Tourism, Hospitality and Destination Management, and Sport and Recreation Management.
The Experience Industry Management department’s vision is to cultivate leaders and innovators in industries that promote healthy lifestyles, protect memorable places, and facilitate life-enhancing experiences for individuals, communities, and the global society.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) at Cal Poly is one of the nation’s premier colleges of agriculture and natural resources – and the fifth-largest of its kind in the U.S. With more than 4,100 undergraduates, 16 majors, five graduate programs, and 192 dedicated faculty and staff, CAFES is a powerhouse of innovation, impact and hands-on learning.
Our signature Learn by Doing philosophy comes alive across 10,000 acres of cropland, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and forests, as well as in specialized teaching and research facilities. From the Animal Health Center and Equine Center to the Center for Wine and Viticulture, Ag Tech Center and Plant Sciences Complex, students and faculty work side by side – tackling real-world challenges and shaping the future of food, agriculture and the environment.
Discover more at cafes.calpoly.edu
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by November 7, 2025 for full consideration; however, applications received after this date may be considered. Interested candidates must attach the following:
A cover letter providing some detail of applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position
Resume/CV
Unofficial transcripts of the highest degree
Statement of philosophy on leadership and management of an academic department
Statement of goals and plans for research
Universal Success Statement (see prompt below)
At least three professional references with names and email addresses when completing the online faculty application
*Universal Student Success Statement Prompt - Cal Poly takes pride in its status as a teaching university and in its emphasis on the teacher-scholar model. Please detail your approach to inclusive, accessible, and intentional teaching at the collegiate level, including evidence of experience with inclusive and equitable teaching, to a wide variety of students and a description of how you will continue to develop this expertise at Cal Poly. Service or scholarship related to skills developed in these areas might also be included here. Please articulate your teaching philosophy, approach, and goals within this statement.
Finalists for the position will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation. The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment for final consideration. For inquiries reach out to recruitment committee chair Keri Schwab, PhD., keschwab@calpoly.edu
Requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, Hospitality, Experience Industry Management, or a closely related field
Distinguished record of achievement in Experience Industry Management and related fields, and qualifications appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor within the department
Demonstrated exceptional leadership and management of students, faculty, staff, and community, and strong interpersonal skills
Strong professional record of academic achievement, including publications, grants, presentations, and cooperative projects in the experience industry
Strong commitment to teaching excellence, with demonstrated teaching excellence in person, online, asynchronous, and hybrid formats
A broad-based knowledge of the experience industry in areas such as event planning and management, experience design, experiential marketing, sport management, hospitality, community recreation, outdoor and adventure recreation, tourism, and destination marketing and management
Demonstrated experience in collaborative priority setting and decision-making, as well as faculty mentorship and professional development
Demonstrated experience in carrying out CAFES’ mission through an appropriate combination of teaching, research, and advancement
Demonstrated ability to manage resources in order to solve problems with creativity and innovation
Ability to interact with Experience Industry stakeholders in developing research and industry initiatives of local, regional, national and global importance
Evidence of leading institutional advancement and fundraising
Outstanding written and verbal English communication skills
Demonstrated ability to cultivate a respectful, inclusive, and nondiscriminatory learning and working environment for all students, staff, and faculty
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstrated experience in successfully allocating, directing, and monitoring annual budgets
Evidence of working collaboratively with partners including industry, local, state, or national government agencies, non- governmental entities, and an advisory council
Experience in interdisciplinary research and coordinating a center, institute, or research lab
Familiarity with instructional technology and online learning
A track record of effectiveness in teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and overseeing comprehensive curriculum development
The ability to collaborate on research with faculty across the College and the University
International experience or the desire to cultivate international partnerships
Experience working with underrepresented students in research, teaching, service, advising, mentoring, or the community
