EQU Advisors Seeking Dean for California State University, Chico
March 30, 2026 – Executive search firm EQU Advisors is currently seeking a dean of the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico (Chico State). Reporting to the provost and vice president of academic affairs, the dean of Meriam Library serves as the lead academic and administrative officer, providing leadership in advancing its mission, programs, and operations. The dean promotes academic excellence in teaching, research, and service, ensures responsible management of fiscal and human resources, and strengthens the library’s visibility and partnerships across the university and broader community.
Through inclusive and transparent leadership, the dean supports the success of students, faculty, and staff while advancing the University’s commitment to excellence and community engagement.
This role requires a terminal degree in one’s discipline or equivalent experience, with a preference for a master of library sciences (MLS/MILS) degree from an American Library Association accredited program and a record of achievement consistent with the rank of tenured full librarian or full professor. The ideal candidate will have a sustained record of contributions in higher education including a minimum of seven years professional experience in higher education including a record of progressively responsible leadership and supervisory experience.
In addition, the role requires experience with management, budget, and personnel administration as well as proven track record of successful fundraising initiatives, with a demonstrated ability to secure financial support from diverse sources.
California State University, Chico (commonly known as Chico State) is a public university in Northern California and part of the 23-campus California State University system. Located in the city of Chico in Butte County, the university is known for its strong undergraduate focus, hands-on learning, and commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Chico State offers a wide range of bachelor’s and master’s programs across disciplines such as business, education, engineering, agriculture, and the arts and sciences, and it maintains a reputation for fostering close faculty-student connections and an active campus culture. Founded in 1887, it is one of the oldest campuses in the CSU system and serves as a major educational and economic anchor for the North State region.
Proven Search Firm
EQU Advisors is co-founded by Veena Abraham and Robert Luke. The firm serves higher education and non-profit institutions and leaders through executive search, management consulting, and candidate advising. Throughout our careers, they have completed approximately 200 searches across a full range of private and public institutions including liberal arts colleges, regional universities and colleges, research universities and institutes, members of the Ivy League, as well as national non-profit organizations.
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EQU Advisors’ experience includes searches for presidents and chief executive officers, provosts and vice presidents, deans and other leadership positions. Eighty-two percent of the firm’s placements within the last three years identified as women; Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, or from two or more races; and/or part of the LGBTQIA+ communities.
Ms. Abraham draws upon her experience as an attorney, higher education administrator, and executive search consultant. Based in Orlando, FL, she has experience in a range of searches for senior academic administrators, including presidents, provosts, and deans at distinguished educational and cultural institutions across the nation. Prior to becoming a higher education consultant, Ms. Abraham was senior director of regional engagement for the University of Miami in Florida.
Mr. Luke draws upon 20 years of higher education consulting and administrative experience supporting universities, colleges, and non-profit institutions through complex leadership transitions. Based in Providence, RI, he has a record placing vice presidents for academic affairs, finance and development as well as deans of architecture, science and engineering, social work and social policy. Additionally, Mr. Luke has completed several CEO searches for leading scientific centers, institutes and laboratories, and non-profit organizations. In addition to consulting, he is known for his administrative and operational leadership, which he developed across a variety of sectors. He came to higher education consulting in 2013 from George Washington University.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
