University of California, Davis
Search for the Michael and Joelle Hurlston Dean of the Graduate School of Management
Davis, California
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis), one of the world’s leading public research institutions, seeks a bold, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the next Michael and Joelle Hurlston Dean of the Graduate School of Management (“School” or “GSM”).
A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, UC Davis ranks #2 among public universities nationwide for setting up graduates for financial success, according to the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings. As one of six business schools in the University of California System, the GSM is distinguished by its entrepreneurial spirit, regional reach, and commitment to innovation. With campuses in Davis, San Francisco, San Ramon, and Sacramento—California’s capital and the heart of the world’s fifth-largest economy—the School is uniquely positioned to serve as a business education anchor for Northern California. Its presence at the newly launched innovation district further embeds the GSM within a dynamic ecosystem of public policy, healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Poets&Quants named the GSM one of its “10 Business Schools to Watch in 2024” and highlighted its new undergraduate program among “10 Undergraduate Business Schools to Watch in 2025.” Outgoing Dean H. Rao Unnava has also received accolades from Poets&Quants for his leadership and vision, including the “2024 Dean of the Year” and the “2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.” Ranked #65 nationally by U.S. News & World Report among top business schools, the GSM is consistently recognized for excellence in specialized programs such as its MS in Business Analytics and Online MBA. Its Master of Management is the first such program in the UC system. The School serves more than 900 students across a growing portfolio of graduate and undergraduate programs, supported by internationally recognized faculty and a dedicated staff community.
The new Dean will join the GSM at a pivotal moment. With the launch of its first-ever undergraduate business major in Fall 2025, the School is expanding its academic mission and deepening its impact, prompting a strategic name change to the School of Business. The incoming leader will guide a well-managed, highly respected school with an excellent faculty, talented staff, and a campus culture that values both intellectual rigor and social responsibility. This is a rare opportunity to shape the trajectory of a forward-looking business school and amplify its influence across a globally influential region, advancing the GSM’s role as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, economic development, and public-private partnership.
To be successful, the Dean will:
• Lead the GSM in strengthening its prominence and influence across Northern California and beyond
• Advance financial strength through strategic growth, corporate partnerships, and philanthropic engagement
• Build institutional agility by enhancing organizational capacity and cultivating a resilient, inclusive culture
• Champion cross-campus collaboration to accelerate academic innovation and interdisciplinary excellence
• Elevate the GSM’s reputation to enhance learner success across all programs in a dynamic and competitive market
• Serve as a regional, national, and global ambassador, positioning the GSM as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship
The ideal candidate will be a full professor with a distinguished record of business-relevant academic research, a collaborative leadership style, and a track record of building trust, driving innovation, and leading strategic transformation. This role offers an exceptional platform for an accomplished leader to redefine business education for the next generation and extend the GSM’s reach across California and the global stage. The successful candidate will be the Michael and Joelle Hurlston Dean, having access to the Hurlston Deanship Fund. This fund provides unrestricted support to be used at the discretion of the Dean for emerging opportunities and innovative programs.
UC Davis 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. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, as well as application packets (CV and cover letter), please see the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://apptrkr.com/6795602
David Bellshaw, Phuong Ta, Salem Adisu
Isaacson, Miller | imsearch.com
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.
Isaacson, Miller