David Hildebrandt

Biography

Dr. David Hildebrandt is a distinguished learning architect, enterprise strategist, and senior academic leader with more than twenty years of experience transforming educational models, driving operational excellence, and managing complex multi-million-dollar academic operations. His career spans executive leadership in higher education, corporate training development, high-tech consultancy, and innovative curriculum design across for-profit, non-profit, and corporate environments.

As the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at National University’s College of Business, Engineering, and Technology (COBET), Dr. Hildebrandt provides strategic oversight for more than 45 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs generating over $82 million in annual revenue. He leads a matrixed faculty team comprising over 70 full-time professors and 550 part-time instructors. His leadership philosophy combines human-centric empowerment with high-level strategic implementation.

Prior to his current role, he served as Associate Dean for the School of Technology and Engineering, where he navigated the operational merger with the School of Business and Economics to form COBET. Across his tenure in higher education leadership, Dr. Hildebrandt has directed institutional milestones including:

Accreditation & Quality Assurance: Directing ABET and ACBSP reaccreditation processes and improving doctoral program quality standards.
Faculty Mentorship & Onboarding: Designing comprehensive onboarding programs and peer mentoring structures to drive teaching excellence across remote and global faculty teams.
Educational Innovation & AI: Championing edge-of-curve academic initiatives, such as deploying AI-driven research platforms (ReadWondersAI) for doctoral students, establishing accelerated bachelor-to-doctorate pathways, and implementing graduate assistantships.
Workforce & Industry Alignment: Expanding high-impact experiential learning partnerships, including the Riipen platform, cybersecurity apprenticeships, and specialized accounting internships.

Education

PhD, Learning & Knowlege Management

Walden University

Activities and societies: Kappa Delta Pi - International Honor Society in Education, Sigma Iota Epsilon - National Honorary and Professional Management Fraternity

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MAED, Instructional Design

San José State University

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BSBA, Operations Management

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Activities and societies: Sigma Chi, Student Health Advisory Council, Student Housing Council, Associated Student Body Senator, Delta Mu Delta - International Honor Society in Business Worked with friends to charter the Sigma Chi chapter on campus. Was instrumental in getting furnished student apartments built on campus as an alternative to the dorms.

Experience

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

Aug 2025 - Present

National University, United States · Remote

Lead an amazing team of 70+ full-time and 550+ part-time faculty within COBET. There are over 45 academic programs offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education. Lead the team through a shared vision, empowerment, and building on NU’s Ways of Working. Oversee program accreditations, improving onboarding of newly hired faculty, launching new advisory councils, industry collaboration, and implementing Doctoral Program quality improvement. The school's revenue exceeded $82MM annually. Focused on innovation and was active in the following pilots: Some of the projects I have worked on are: • Expansion of Riipen Partnership • Internships for accounting students • Cybersecurity Apprenticeships • Pathways Scholarships • ReadWondersAI roll-out for COBET • ABET Reaccreditation • ACBSP Reaccreditation

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Associate Dean of Academic Affairs - Technology and Engineering

Mar 2024 - Jul 2025

National University, California, United States · Remote

The School of Business and Economics and the School of Technology and Engineering merged in 2024, becoming COBET. Became the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the School of Technology and Engineering. Focused on operational improvements as the two schools merged. Led an incredible team of 24+ full-time and 120+ part-time faculty. Oversaw 18 academic programs offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education. The school's revenue exceeded $32MM annually. Focused on innovation and was active in the following pilots: • ReadWondersAI (AI for Doctoral Students) • Pathways Scholarship (Bachelor to Doctorate) • Graduate Assistants • PTF Peer Mentoring Program

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Interim IRB Director

Oct 2021 - Oct 2022

Northcentral University, San Diego Metropolitan Area

Managed daily operations of the IRB office and supervised staff. Developed and maintains the IRB's budget and operational procedures and policies. Ensured that all research involving human subjects adhered to ethical principles and federal/state regulations.

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Faculty Coach, School of Technology

Jul 2021 - Oct 2022

Northcentral University, California, United States · Remote

I onboarded new faculty members and coached existing faculty in teaching through engagement. I also reviewed student retention data to identify areas for improvement in curriculum and instruction. The goal was to ensure that all faculty upheld our educational standards.

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Adjunct Professor

Sep 2017 - Aug 2019

SAE Expression College, Emeryville, CA

I prepared future entertainment leaders for their careers. I worked with my students in the subject areas of business communications, entertainment business, and career preparation.

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Publications

Capacity Building in a Changing ICT Environment 2017

Mar 22, 2017

International Telecommunications Union

The ITU online publication “Capacity Building in a Changing ICT Environment”, which is released annually, puts together scholarly articles with a focus on the human and institutional aspects of capacity building in the telecommunications/ICT sector. It covers a wide range of ICT topics that may affect people and their skills development. The first issue of this publication focuses on mobile technologies for skills development and lifelong learning. It features the work of an international team of experts, tackling the issues in an analytical, critical and conceptual fashion. The articles in this issue explore the increasing power of mobile devices in bringing the benefits of ICTs to more people worldwide. They are a contribution to the current discussions on the educational applications of mobile technologies and their potential to enhance and facilitate lifelong learning and skills development. David Hildebrandt was both a chapter contributor and peer reviewer for publication.

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The perceived impact of social network sites on online doctoral students' sense of belonging

Sep 9, 2011

ProQuest, UMI Dissertation Publishing

This study investigated the perceptions of online doctoral students' sense of belonging, as well as their perceptions and intent to use social network sites to increase their sense of belonging. The theoretical framework drew upon research on socialization, persistence, and the future of doctoral studies. Research showed the importance of socialization in creating a sense of belonging in on-ground doctoral students; however, research into creating a sense of belonging in online doctoral students is lacking. The research questions for this study examined students' perceptions of social network sites and the value of these sites in increasing students' sense of belonging toward the university, college, department, and class. Additional data were gathered on social network site usage. This study used a sequential explanatory design. An online descriptive survey provided data on the participants' sense of belonging and social network preferences and usage. The survey was followed by phenomenological interviews to learn about the online experience, value of a social network, and the perceived impact of an integrated social network site. Quantitative data were analyzed using chi-square, goodness of fit, t -test, and z -test. Interview data were axial coded to identify the themes. The results indicated that the online students have a lower sense of belonging and less faculty-student and student-student interaction than on-ground doctoral students. Results also indicated that 80% of the online students were already using social networks and would like to see academic activity feed into a social network as a way to increase their sense of belonging. This research is significant for educators and administrators who desire to find ways to increase the sense of belonging among students as a way to increase retention.

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David Hildebrandt

Biography

Education

PhD, Learning & Knowlege Management

MAED, Instructional Design

BSBA, Operations Management

Associate of Science, Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician

Bachelor of Business Administration, Operations Management and Supervision

Experience

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs - Technology and Engineering

Interim IRB Director

Faculty Coach, School of Technology

Adjunct Professor

Publications

Capacity Building in a Changing ICT Environment 2017

The perceived impact of social network sites on online doctoral students' sense of belonging

Awards & honors

Senator Emeritus

International Honor Society in Business

International Honor Society in Education

The National Honorary and Professional Management Fraternity

Research & expertise