Chief Student Development Officer

Lead Inspire and Transform Student Life at SDSU!

Become the Chief Student Development Officer / Executive Director of Residential Education

San Diego State University (SDSU) is searching for a dynamic student-centered leader to shape the living and learning experience for thousands of students. As our Chief Student Development Officer / Executive Director of Residential Education (CSDO/EDREO) you will play a bold visionary role in designing programs communities and support structures that help students thrive personally academically and socially. This is more than an administrative role. Its an opportunity to transform lives at scale.

You will lead one of the most influential student-facing portfolios on campusResidential Education Career Services the Center for Student Rights & Responsibilities and Program Evaluation Compliance & Assessment each serving as a pillar of belonging growth and student success. Your leadership will directly impact how students experience campus build community develop leadership skills grow in resilience and chart their pathways to graduation and beyond.

What Youll Do: Empower Elevate and Innovate

Help Students ThriveOn Campus and Beyond

• Lead the Residential Education program for nearly 9000 students (growing to 12000) ensuring every student finds community safety connection and pathways to success.
• Build vibrant living-learning environments focused on identity development life skills leadership academic momentum and belonging.
• Champion a student experience rooted in respect curiosity personal responsibility and cultural humility.

Guide a High-Impact Division of Student Success Units

• Provide strategic oversight for Residential Education Career Services the Center for Student Rights & Responsibilities and Program Evaluation Compliance & Assessment.
• Shape programs and services that support the whole student - mind body and spirit.
• Drive initiatives that strengthen retention persistence well-being and personal development.

Lead with Vision Heart and Integrity

• Inspire and mentor a diverse team of directors staff graduate students and student leaders.
• Foster a culture where students feel empowered seen respected and supported in their academic and co-curricular journeys.
• Promote equity-centered practices and help cultivate a campus where every student knows they belong.

Be on the Front Lines of Care and Support

• Serve as a key campus crisis response leader supporting students during some of their most critical moments.
• Partner on emergency operations expressive activities risk management and complex student situations.
• Offer calm compassionate leadership in times of challenge.

Build for the Future

• Collaborate on new housing construction projects residential community expansion and long-term staffing and budget planning.
• Strengthen academic partnerships that bring coordinated care advising learning communities and student success centers directly into the residential environment.
• Ensure the living experience reflects SDSUs commitment to innovation belonging and excellence.

Why Work at SDSU

San Diego State University is more than a campusits a community dedicated to curiosity growth and student success.

We change lives: You will have a direct hand in creating spaces where students form lifelong friendships discover their passions and grow into the leaders they are meant to be.

We value equity and belonging: Our division is nationally recognized for its commitment to inclusive excellence cultural humility and care-driven leadership.

We innovate boldly: SDSU is expanding its residential communities academic partnerships student leadership pipelines and holistic support systems. You will help shape the next decade of student life.

We work collaboratively and care deeply: Youll join a strong leadership team that believes in supporting one another centering students and making meaningful student-focused decisions.

Position Information

• This is a full-time at-will role offering comprehensive benefits.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. however due to the nature of the role evenings and weekends are often required.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Campus Life subdivision within the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity plays a central role in shaping the student experience at San Diego State University. Anchored by the Residential Education Office (REO) this portfolio supports students learning well-being community engagement and personal development from their first days on campus through graduation. Residential Education creates dynamic inclusive living-learning environments for thousands of students each year promoting belonging academic success life skills leadership development and community responsibility. Through a comprehensive residential curriculum culturally responsive programming and close partnerships with academic and student support units REO ensures that students living on campus are connected supported and thriving.

The Chief Student Development Officer also provides strategic leadership for several student-impacting departments that work collaboratively to strengthen campus life and advance the universitys mission:

• Career Services empowering students professional growth career exploration and post-graduation success.
• Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities promoting a safe respectful and accountable campus community through education and conduct processes.
• Academic Initiatives and Student Care bridging academic and student affairs to support holistic student success well-being and coordinated care.
• Program Evaluation Compliance and Assessment ensuring continuous improvement data-informed decision making and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Residential Community Leadership including First-Year Communities Second-Year Upper-Division & Graduate Communities all of which cultivate student development and belonging within diverse residential neighborhoods.

Together these departments create an integrated network of support that centers the student experience. They collaborate to foster inclusion promote student responsibility engage students in meaningful learning opportunities and build communities where every student can succeed academically socially and personally.

For more information regarding Student Affairs and Campus Diversity click here.

Education and Experience

• Masters degree in student affairs higher education educational leadership or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs leadership ideally within a comprehensive university setting.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing complex programs or departments.
• Experience working with diverse student populations and advancing equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated professional experience in residential education crisis response student conduct or student success initiatives.

Key Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of student development theory and best practices in residential education and student affairs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams build partnerships and collaborate across campus divisions.
• Proven experience managing budgets staff and operational systems in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in crisis situations and support coordinated emergency response efforts.
• Skilled in assessment program evaluation and data-informed planning.
• Commitment to student-centered leadership inclusive excellence and fostering belonging.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities with initiative judgment and resourcefulness.

Compensation and Benefits

At San Diego State University we value our team members and offer a competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience. But thats just the beginning! Our exceptional benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Leave Benefits:Enjoy 15 paid holidays 24 vacation days and 12 sick days per year.
• Retirement Security:Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan plus retiree healthcare benefits.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage:Access a variety of health dental and vision plans at no or low cost to you.
• Educational Opportunities:Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.
• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance Life and Disability Insurances a Legal Plan Pet Insurance and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.

The expected hiring salary for this position ranges from $180000 - $202404 annually.

SDSU Values

At SDSU our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSUs Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act the California Equity in Higher Education Act Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment segregation based on race or any other protected status and all forms of discrimination harassment and retaliation in all university programs policies and practices.

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives beliefs and identities committed to fostering an inclusive respectful and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue mutual respect and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs student organizations and activities faculty initiatives and community partnerships we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development faculty and staff training student mentorship and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

This position is open to current SDSU employees only.Apply by February 3 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis and the position will remain open until filled.

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 as a condition of employment.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g. H-1B visa).Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a persons identity and authorization to work in the United States which are consistent with the provisions of theImmigration Reform and Control Act.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU 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 SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Casie Martinez at