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Position Title & Department:
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Dean of the University Library; Copley Library |
| Posting # |
5596
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| Department Description: |
The Helen K. and James S. Copley Library, located on the west end of the campus, currently houses over 500,000 volumes. Collections include books, journals, reference works, databases, government documents, newspapers and electronic journals in many languages, as well as maps, videos, sound recordings, microforms and rare books. |
| University Description: |
The University of San Diego is a Catholic university, grounded in the liberal arts and anchored along an international border, advancing academic excellence to create a more inclusive, sustainable and hopeful world. USD comprises the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business, Engineering, Nursing, Leadership and Education, Peace Studies, and Law, plus distinctive academic centers and institutes. Its proximity to Latin America and commitment to the Catholic intellectual traditions offer students a unique educational experience. A USD education is characterized by academic rigor in its undergraduate and graduate programs, offering transformative opportunities through student/faculty research, global experiences, community-engaged scholarships, and internships that develop the knowledge, values, and skills needed to serve the global, civic, and faith communities. With more than 10,000 students from dozens of countries and 50 states, USD was the first campus on the West Coast to be designated as a Changemaker campus and is now one of only 42 Changemaker campuses in the world. USD is ranked as one of the best Catholic universities in America and is consistently among the top five in the nation for study abroad participation.
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| Detailed Description: |
The Helen K. and James S. Copley Library serves as a vibrant intellectual and cultural hub, anchoring the university’s commitment to academic excellence. With a full renovation completed in 2021,the library hosts over 280,000 visitors annually and blends expansive collections with cutting-edge digital access and personalized research support. Beyond its collections, Copley Library offers dynamic study spaces, meeting facilities, and co-curricular programming that foster collaboration and community. As an active participant in regional and national consortia—including the San Diego Library Circuit Consortium, the Catholic Research Resource Alliance, and the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium— Copley extends its impact well beyond campus. Its global engagement is further reflected in its Sister Library partnership with the Universidad de Monterrey, underscoring a shared commitment to Catholic higher education and cross-cultural collaboration.
The next Dean of Copley Library will shape and advance a bold, forward-looking vision and strategic plan—building on the library’s strengths as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and student success. A tenured academic leader with strong operational and financial acumen with a collaborative, shared governance approach to leadership, the Dean will foster a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration while ensuring organizational effectiveness by assessing and refining structures, processes, and policies. Building on the library’s embedded librarian model, the Dean will deepen partnerships across academic programs and expand support for teaching, learning, and research, while leading innovation in digital scholarship, artificial intelligence, and research infrastructure aligned with USD’s growth as an R2 institution. The Dean will also strengthen strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and globally to enhance USD’s visibility and impact, and will elevate the library’s profile through effective advocacy and fundraising.
Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
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| Job Requirements: |
The successful candidate will hold a Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MLS) (or equivalent degree) from an ALA-accredited institution and a scholarly record appropriate for the appointment of tenure in the Copley Library. The next dean will have a proven record of inclusive leadership, guiding organizational change, exceptional communication skills, and enhancing knowledge creation and dissemination across the university and beyond. A deep commitment to the mission and values of contemporary Catholic higher education is essential.
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| Posting Salary: |
$16,666.67 to $20,833.34 per month; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.
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| Special Application Instructions: |
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV/resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. For fullest consideration, all materials should be received by August 28, 2026.
Please direct all nominations and inquiries to the WittKieffer consultants assisting the University of San Diego with this recruitment, Jessica Herrington at jherrington@wittkieffer.com and Cathryn Davis at cdavis@wittkieffer.com.
Please direct applications to Jessica Herrington and Cathryn Davis through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal by clicking here.
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| Additional Details: |
Closing date: August 28,2026
Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.
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