SF State's Vice President for Academic Affairs Marilyn Boxer is one of three finalists for president at Queens College in New York.
The winner will be announced next week, according to Boxer.
Although Boxer denied a request for an interview until the she knows if she has been chosen for the position, she said the new job would be "an exciting challenge."
The job probably begins in the fall, Boxer said.
SF State President Robert A. Corrigan said he couldn't comment on the situation.
Since Boxer came to SF State in 1989, some faculty members have criticized her performance, but are unwilling to go on record.
However, English Professor James Kohn shed some light on what the problem might have been between faculty members and Boxer.
"(Boxer's) approach to individual faculty members sometimes caused frictions," Kohn said. "(Boxer) may be more blunt with people than they are comfortable with."
Kohn worked with Boxer on the Committee on Academic Planning and he said she was "outspoken" with her views.
He added that Boxer wasn't domineering on the committee but helpful and cooperative.
"She was another good committee member," Kohn said.
Kohn said Boxer's accomplishments at SF State include being instrumental in starting the Jewish Studies department.
Boxer also revived the International Program by directing more of the university's money into that department, he said.
At Queen's College, Spokesperson Rita Rodin said the chancellor meets with the Board of Trustees on May 22 to recommend a candidate for the new president.
"We don't comment on searches until they're completed," Rodin said.
Boxer was SF State's first woman chief academic officer, according to a June 1989 Campus Memo.
Some of Boxer's duties at SF State include allocating money to colleges, recruiting faculty, handling academic personnel matters, and coordinating academic planning, according to the Campus Memo.