Founded in 1946, the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is widely regarded as the world’s premier culinary college and a global leader in culinary, food, beverage, and hospitality education. Under the leadership of President Michiel Bakker, the CIA is advancing its ambitious Vision 2035 strategy to expand its impact across education, industry leadership, sustainability, and global food systems. Headquartered in Hyde Park, New York, with additional campuses in California, Texas, and Singapore, the CIA serves nearly 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students and a global alumni network of almost 60,000 professionals. The college combines immersive hands-on learning with business and liberal arts education to prepare students for leadership roles across the food, hospitality, and innovation economy. Through its degree programs, industry partnerships, thought leadership conferences, and consumer experiences, the CIA continues to shape the future of food and hospitality worldwide.
Reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs & Chief Academic Officer and working closely with the President, Provost, and senior leadership, the Senior Dean provides strategic leadership for the CIA’s academic portfolio across culinary, baking and pastry, beverage, and hospitality disciplines. The role partners with faculty through a shared governance model to uphold the CIA’s academic excellence, industry engagement, and global reputation while balancing tradition with innovation. As a key institutional leader and external spokesperson, the Senior Dean ensures the college’s programs remain future-focused, market-aligned, and recognized as best-in-class through strong student outcomes and evolving industry relevance. The position also oversees the deans leading food, beverage, and hospitality programs and drives collaboration across curriculum development, faculty advancement, applied research, and emerging technologies. Through these efforts, the Senior Dean helps position the CIA for long-term growth and leadership within the global food and hospitality ecosystem.