University Libraries Dean Search

About the Search

The dean of the University Libraries is a tenured professor who reports to and is appointed by the vice chancellor for academic resource management (VC ARM). This appointment is made in consultation with and approval by the provost and chancellor.

The dean of the University Libraries serves two equally important roles at CU Boulder. First, the dean is expected to be the principal leader of, and advocate for, the University Libraries both within and outside the university. Second, as a member of the provost’s academic leadership team, the dean is expected to work cooperatively and collaboratively with other academic and administrative leaders to advance CU Boulder’s goals and mission to be Colorado’s comprehensive, doctoral-granting, public research university, with a “university-first” mindset.

University Libraries Search Advisory Committee

Committee chair

  • Sarah Jackson, dean, Division of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences

Committee members

  • Arthur Aguilera, assistant professor, University Libraries
  • Melissa Cantrell, associate professor, University Libraries
  • Shamika Dalton, associate professor, University Libraries
  • Claire Hoag, associate teaching professor, University Libraries
  • Rocco Labriola, Head of Business, Earth Sciences & Map, Gemmill and Music Branch Services Section
  • Turner Land, undergraduate student, student employee
  • Merinda McLure, professor, University Libraries
  • Donna Mejia, associate professor, University Libraries
  • Vanessa Seals, assistant dean of Community and Organizational Development
  • Nancy Stevens, professor, director of the Museum of Natural History
  • Jamie Wittenberg, assistant dean of Research & Innovation Strategies, University Libraries

University Libraries Search Committee Charge

Search process milestones

  • October: Search advisory committee selected
  • October: Engagement sessions with University Libraries constituencies and the university’s deans facilitated by WittKieffer.
  • Late October: The search committee will convene to prepare the position leadership profile and job description using input from the engagement sessions.
  • November: The position will be posted with a call for nominations.
  • Early spring: Finalists will be invited to campus.
  • Spring semester: Rosario-Ortiz plans to appoint a permanent dean.

University Libraries Dean Search News