Dean Searches - Frequently Asked Questions
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) seeks a visionary, inclusive and strategic leader as its next Dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science (Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science).
As the Chief Academic Officer and Executive of the School, the Dean holds a direct reporting line to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. The Dean's role involves providing leadership and oversight in all areas of School administration, which encompass academic programs, personnel, budgets, clinical operations, alumni engagement, fundraising and relationships with government and industry. The Dean is expected to model creativity and collaboration, serving as a strong advocate for both professional and academic education, and tirelessly promoting the potential of Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science. A crucial aspect of this role is the ability to convene and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, fostering a culture of transparency, inclusivity and recognition of the strengths of all members of the School's community, including its staff.
For 100 years, Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science, one of the world's leading schools of optometry, has produced groundbreaking research, clinical excellence and unparalleled education. It offers a rigorous four-year professional program leading to the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, a one-year residency program in advanced clinical optometry, and one of the largest and most highly rated vision science PhD programs. The School is known for its exceptional faculty, commitment to clinical training, and rigorous academic curriculum. Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science is also a major center for vision science research. The School recently received a$50 million transformational gift from the Dr. Herbert Wertheim Family Foundation, the largest gift ever received by a school of optometry in the country. This commitment constitutes the lead gift for a 10-year, $100 million investment that will expand the School’s ability to train the next generation of optometric physicians, educators and scientists to serve as leaders in the primary and preventative health care spectrum and in vision science.
UC Berkeley seeks a solutions and future-focused leader with demonstrated leadership abilities, substantial administrative experience, strong scholarly visibility and the capacity to exercise intellectual leadership at the local, state, national and international levels. A distinguished record of scholarship, teaching and professional activity appropriate for a tenured faculty appointment at the level of full professor at UC Berkeley is required. The successful applicant will have a proven commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; a strong commitment to research, teaching and public service as well as a deep appreciation for optometry as a health profession; administrative leadership experience in large-scale programs; substantial administration and scholarly achievements; and demonstrated they are a strategic thinker able to build effective institutional partnerships. Non-traditional academic leaders are welcome to apply; applicants from the private or public service sectors will need to demonstrate commitment to research and scholarly accomplishment. For the full position profile, please visit: https://wittkieffer.com/positions/24970-dean-herbert-wertheim-school-of-optometry-and-vision-science.
To be considered as candidates, applicants must have a graduate health sciences degree, such as OD, MD or equivalent international degree, at the time of application and submit, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of California, Berkeley in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 2, 2024.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Applicants must also apply directly to UC Berkeley at https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04064
Confidential nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Suzanne Teer, Kerry Quealy, and Tiffany Johnson
DeanBerkeleyWertheim@wittkieffer.com
The posted University of California Deans’ Salary Bands (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/deans-sala...) set the pay ranges for deans. The Berkeley Optometry & Vision Science position is included in Band 2: $239,600-$611,100.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at UC Berkeley. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and academic and non-academic staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our academic positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging.
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.
This position is a sensitive position and is subject to a criminal background check. Questions may be referred to Dana Jantz at 510-642-1963 or jantz@berkeley.edu
Dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science Search Committee Roster 2023
- Michael Lu, Dean, Berkeley Public Health (committee chair)
- Lauren King, OD Student, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Debora Lee Chen, Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Dennis Levi, Professor & Former Dean, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Ciel Mahoney, Assistant Dean of Development & Alumni Relations, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Clyde Oden, Assistant Director, AC Care Alliance
- Monica Porter, Senior Assistant Dean of Operations, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science
- Michael Rape, Professor and Head, Division of Molecular Therapeutics, MCB; Dr. K. Peter Hirth Chair of Cancer Biology; Investigator, HHMI
- Chris Wilmer, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs & Clinical Professor, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science
Please direct questions about the search to Dana Jantz (jantz@berkeley.edu) or the WittKieffer consultant team at DeanBerkeleyWertheim@wittkieffer.com