Kansas State University

National search for dean of K-State Libraries

Submitted by Office of the Provost

The Office of the Provost announces a national search for the next dean of K-State Libraries at Kansas State University. The university has engaged the services of Academic Career and Executive Search, an executive search firm, to support the search committee with the process. 

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic, visionary and experienced leader to serve as the next dean of K-State Libraries, a public R1, land-grant, university comprised of four campuses and nine colleges. The university serves approximately 21,000 students.

The successful candidate is a collaborative leader and prominent advocate who understands and provides the strategic direction necessary to meet the evolving role of libraries in the 21st century within a public research university setting. The dean will provide the strategic leadership and vision crucial in the support of the strategic initiatives and intellectual core of the university. As the chief academic and administrative officer of K-State Libraries, the dean reports to the provost and executive vice president and serves on the Council of Deans. The dean of K-State Libraries will also hold the faculty rank of professor. 

At K-State, deans are highly visible universitywide leaders. The dean will work closely with the president, provost, deans and other senior leaders to advance the missions and strategic goals of the Library and the university through a shared vision of education, research, teaching and service. Additionally, the dean will be externally focused on developing strong relationships and engaged with the community. 

The dean will work collaboratively with partners across the four campuses and within nine colleges to develop a broad and synergistic alignment of library services supporting the continuing transformation of K-State Libraries as a center encouraging student research, academic excellence and collaboration in a technologically-rich environment. Student learning and success should be at the forefront of the new dean's priorities, while also promoting and supporting an increase in research activity and scholarship across the university as K-State pursues its strategic goal to become a Top 50 public research university. 

The dean of K-State Libraries will provide overall program leadership, strategic vision and direction to advance K-State Libraries, ensuring that plans, policies, practices, programs and services align with university and college-level strategic directions and goals. The dean is responsible for the administration, coordination and oversight of all activities related to strategic planning; assessment; policy development; library, archives, and records management services and programs; physical space; collections development and preservation; budget planning and fiscal stewardship; staffing; fundraising; and technology adoption. 

The full position description, including required qualifications, may be found on the provost's website.

Inquiries, nominations and applications will be treated confidentially. For full consideration, application materials must be received by Feb. 8. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Please do not email applications, but instead apply directly at acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjy6b3hn.  

Inquires, nominations and questions should be sent to Jennifer Muller at Jennifer@ACESrch.com or call 860-740-2600.

We anticipate campus interviews taking place virtually in early to mid-April with an anticipated appointment beginning July 1.