Dean of Libraries

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be submitted through the Witt Kieffer Candidate Portal. Applicants should submit, as separate documents, a CV or résumé and a letter of interest that addresses the themes outlined in this profile. Witt Kieffer is assisting University of the Incarnate Word in this search. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by September 2, 2026.

The search is being led by the Witt Kieffer team of Ryan Crawford, Cathryn Davis, and Corin Edwards. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Cathryn Davis at  and Corin Edwards at

Position Information

Position Title

Position Title Dean of Libraries

UIW Mission

University of the Incarnate Word is a Catholic institution that welcomes to its community persons of diverse backgrounds, in the belief that their respectful interaction advances the discovery of truth, mutual understanding, self-realization, and the common good.

Position Summary

The University of the Incarnate Word ( UIW ) seeks a dynamic and forward-thinking Dean of Libraries to lead a multifaceted, mission-driven library system that advances teaching, learning, and scholarship. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean serves as the chief administrative and strategic leader for all library programs, services, and facilities, while also overseeing the Center for Teaching and Learning .

This role is central to aligning library operations with institutional priorities, supporting a diverse academic community, and ensuring responsiveness to the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education and academic libraries.

The Dean is responsible for shaping and executing a collaborative strategic vision that enhances student success, faculty research, and academic innovation. Key areas of leadership include advancing information literacy, particularly in the context of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence; strengthening digital scholarships and open educational initiatives; and expanding access to collections through effective resource management and digitization. The Dean will also play a critical role in accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and assessment efforts while fostering strong partnerships across academic units and external consortia.

The Dean will oversee a $3.8 million budget and 27 staff and will be responsible for guiding resource allocation in a complex, multi-campus environment. The Dean must serve as a visible advocate for UIW Libraries, leveraging data-informed decision-making and cultivating external funding opportunities through grants and philanthropy. Additionally, the role requires expertise in vendor negotiations, licensing, and collaborative partnerships to ensure the sustainability and growth of library services and infrastructure.

UIW seeks a collaborative and inclusive leader with extensive experience in academic libraries, a deep understanding of evolving trends in scholarly communication and higher education, and a commitment to mission-driven service. The ideal candidate will foster a high-performing team culture, strengthen cross-campus engagement, and position the UIW Libraries as a central driver of learning, discovery, and lifelong intellectual growth within a diverse and globally oriented Catholic institution.

UIW has been identified year after year as one of the nation’s Great Colleges to Work For based on employee feedback. UIW offers an outstanding benefits package for full-time employees that includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, numerous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. Tuition benefits include UIW tuition waivers, tuition exchange programs and Brainpower Connection discounts for employees and dependents.

Retirement benefits include 403b retirement plans with a 7% employer match, plus a retirement health solution. We also offer employer-paid Life/AD&D, long-term disability, pet insurance, an Employee Assistance Program ( EAP ), wellness programs, employee discount program, Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSLF ) eligibility and more! Please refer to the Human Resources webpage for additional details on our benefits…