Dean, College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences

University of New Mexico

Search for the Dean, College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences

Albuquerque, New Mexico

The University of New Mexico (UNM), the state’s flagship institution, seeks a creative and strategic leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences (CULLS). The Dean will be joining UNM at an exciting and pivotal time as President Garnett S. Stokes, Provost James Paul Holloway, and a team of new and established leaders are focused on a set of ambitious goals for UNM that sets it on a course for even greater achievement and impact. As UNM has one of the most diverse student bodies of any flagship university in the nation, and is one of only a handful of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the U.S. that has a Carnegie Classification of Highest Research Activity (“R1”), it aspires to be a model for how a university can fulfill its missions of academic excellence, research, student success, and access given the changing demographics of the U.S. UNM plays a critical role in educating New Mexico’s residents and driving its economy through research excellence and education in a variety of disciplines, and provides an education to nearly 28,000 enrolled students, more than 80 percent of whom are New Mexico residents. The University has a vibrant health sciences enterprise, branch campuses in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos, and Valencia, as well as technology incubators, clinical locations, and research sites across the state. UNM is a place where cutting-edge research and creative endeavors flourish. Its research generates new knowledge, injects millions of dollars into New Mexico’s economy annually, drives advances in healthcare, addresses critical challenges to the state, enhances teaching and education, and provides students with intellectual challenges as well as valuable hands-on training in state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and studios. UNM also has a decades-long deep and abiding commitment to making education accessible and affordable for the state’s urban and rural residents, maintaining low tuition and providing significant scholarship and financial aid to about 70% of graduate students, and 80% of undergraduate students with over 37% of those receiving Pell Grants in 2017-2018. About 58% of UNM alumni remain in the state and provide valuable contributions to the State’s intellectual life, economy, cultural community, educational systems, healthcare industry, and every aspect of life in New Mexico. CULLS has a vital role to play in helping the University of New Mexico achieve its mission to create, apply, and disseminate knowledge for the betterment of the state and the nation. Comprising the university libraries, University of New Mexico Press, and the Organization, Information and Learning Sciences (OILS) program, CULLS is well-positioned to serve as a critical partner and catalyst in helping the University achieve its goals. The incoming Dean—in partnership with the college’s dedicated librarians, instructional faculty, and staff and in alignment with the University’s newly developing UNM 2040 strategic plan—will develop a future-focused trajectory for CULLS that recognizes the central role of both the academic research library to UNM and the state and that leverages the unique academic opportunities of the OILS program, leveraging the college’s resources and expertise to enhance the student and patron experience, support faculty from the entire university in their research and teaching endeavors, and better serve New Mexico’s diverse communities. To achieve these goals, the Dean will address the following key opportunities and challenges:

• Develop and implement an inclusive and forward-looking strategic vision for the College
• Lead, support, and inspire a diverse and talented faculty and staff
• Center issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the college’s culture
• Position the College as a vital leader within the University of New Mexico
• Enhance the College’s presence across the state
• Leverage, manage, and augment the College’s resources wisely

UNM has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please see the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: www.imsearch.com/7753. Electronic submission of materials is required. Julie Filizetti and Brett Barbour Isaacson, Miller 1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300 San Francisco, CA  94111 Phone: 415.655.4900 Fax: 415.655.4905 UNM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.  

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