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West Virginia University (WVU) invites nominations and applications for a strategic and innovative thinker to serve as the Dean of Libraries and Press. As a land-grant institution, WVU seeks an inspirational leader who understands WVU’s commitment to its land-grant mission and the vital role WVU plays in the state and who can strategically build on the foundations laid by the retiring dean to shape the future of the Libraries and the Mountaineer family and community at large.
The Dean of Libraries and Press at WVU should be an accomplished and visionary leader. Reporting to the provost, the dean is the chief administrator responsible for strategic leadership of the University Libraries, the West Virginia & Regional History Center, the William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciences, the WVU Humanities Center, and the WVU Press. This role involves managing resources, collections, staff, technology, and facilities to support the university's teaching, research, and land grant missions. Key duties include advocating for the Libraries, understanding and advocating for the role of university presses, and of WVU Press specifically, in fostering engagement with global communities of scholars and creative artists, and contributing to the broader culture through its scholarly and creative output, fostering and driving innovation and collaboration in the delivery of resources and services across all campuses, and leading fundraising efforts to enhance the Libraries' role as an intellectual hub and to enhance the WVU efforts to publish important work that requires additional financial support.
The ideal candidate will have an MLS or equivalent from an ALA-accredited institution, experience in a research library environment, and seven years of progressive leadership in library administration.
Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting West Virginia University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Nominations and application materials should be directed to Shelley Feather and/or Julie Holley from Greenwood Asher & Associates at: WVULibraries@greenwoodsearch.com.
Application materials should include:
Submission of application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by January 2, 2026. Please send applications to WVULibraries@greenwoodsearch.com.
Contact Greenwood Asher & Associates
Shelley Feather
Senior Executive Search Consultant
shelleyfeather@greenwoodsearch.com
Julie Holley
Associate Vice President of Executive Search
julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com