Job Details

Dean of Libraries & Archives

Position Number: 7100759
Location: Columbus, GA
Position Type: Libraries

Dean of Libraries & Archives

Job ID: 297675
Location: Columbus State University
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions - and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Department Information

Library

Job Summary

Columbus State University seeks an innovative and strategic leader to serve as the Dean of Libraries & Archives, overseeing a system that supports the academic and creative work of our two unique campuses. The Dean will guide the Simon Schwob Memorial Library on the Main Campus, an essential resource for interdisciplinary research, teaching, and student success, as well as the RiverPark Music & Art Libraries, which provides specialized resources for the fine and performing arts. This position requires a transformative leader who can ensure that both physical and digital collections remain responsive to contemporary scholarship and instruction.

The Dean of the Columbus State University (CSU) Libraries & Archives is the central administrator and reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean provides vision, academic leadership, direction and expert administration, and fosters excellence in scholarly activity, community engagement and service. The Dean positively represents the Libraries & Archives and University to all constituents and is active in advancement activities.

In addition to these core library functions, the Dean oversees the CSU Archives & Special Collections, home to the notable J. Kyle Spencer Map Collection and our growing military history archive featuring the personal collection of the longest-serving Secretary of the Army in U.S. history, John O. Marsh. With stewardship of more than 500 distinct collections, the Dean will play a key role in advancing preservation, digitization, and community engagement efforts that expand access to these primary sources.

After reviewing the position description, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a 500-word leadership statement. For full consideration, please submit all application materials by 15 May 2026, when the search committee will begin reviewing files and continue until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

Significant Duties & Responsibilities include: Participate in all official CSU functions as determined by the president or provost.; Develop and maintain a systematic evaluation plan for Library engagement, utilization, and collection maintenance to ensure congruence with national standards, professional guidelines and expected competencies.; Ensure compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies for academic programs (e.g., SACSCOC, DOE or ALA).; Provide support for local, public recruitment and retention activities.; Attend and participate in professional conferences and meetings on and off campus.; Ensure effective management of financial resources (state funding, foundation accounts, etc.) including strategic budget planning which aligns financial needs with the mission and vision of the University.; Direct Library & Archives advancement and fundraising in collaboration with University Development.; Interact with alumni and community partners to raise funds for the Library & Archives and University to enhance the reputation of CSU.; Remain current on University, College and Department policies and procedures and state and federal regulations affecting higher education.; Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership - Provide strategic leadership in establishing and achieving CSU's vision, mission, goals and expected academic program outcomes.; Responsible for administrative functions including but not limited to staffing, budgets and facility management.; Ability to inspire confidence and motivate others for engagement and innovation.; Serve as an advocate and mediator for faculty, staff and students.; Direct problem-solving involving students, faculty, staff and others.; Is visible on campus and in the community.; Represent the University positively in interactions to build and sustain effective relationships with a broad range of constituents.

Faculty and Staff Oversight - Overall innovation and excellence in the Simon Schwob Memorial Library, the RiverPark Music Library, and University Archives.; Provide leadership in transformational, user-centered services; information literacy programs; collections and information resources; assessment; and archival development.; Provide oversight for the recruitment, hiring, orientation, motivation and retention of faculty and staff to effectively manage the human capital within the Libaries & Archives.; Ability to inspire faculty and staff to work together to build and sustain outstanding academic programs with the capacity for growth.; Facilitate the accomplishments of faculty and staff related to student success and professional expectations.; Oversee an effective evaluation system for faculty and staff.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications include: A terminal degree in a discipline within the University or closely related field.; Experience administering Library and Archival programs.; Three to five years of experience as an academic administrator (e.g., dean, associate dean, department head or director).; Accomplishments and credentials sufficient to meet the requirements of the rank of Professor at CSU in teaching, service and scholarly publications which includes a minimum of five years of experience in higher education.; Demonstrated experience in grant-writing and fundraising.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities include: Knowledge of University mission, goals and expectations as well as University and College policies, procedures, rules, etc.; Understanding of University and College technology requirements and Industry best practices.; Familiarity with expectations for teaching, scholarly activity, community engagement and service and collegiality.; Organized and attentive to detail.; Effective oral and written communication skills to advocate for the Library & Archives and University.; Strong active listening, analytical and problem-solving skills.; Ability to work cooperatively with faculty, staff, colleagues at all levels, students and external constituents.; Ability to use diplomacy and discretion when providing information to others.; Experience with or potential to fund raise with alumni and external partners.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Cindy S. Ticknor, Hiring Manager, via email at ticknor_cindy@columbusstate.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.
Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.
Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.
Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.
Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.
Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties:

A credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage;
Pre-employment drug testing for positions with high-risk responsibilities.
Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive a Columbus State University fleet vehicle or other vehicle designated as a fleet vehicle. A successful drug screening will be required as a condition of employment a randomly thereafter.

*Applicants for positions of trust may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. *

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.
This position does have financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

Position of Trust + Education & Credit

Special Applicant Instructions

Visit Columbus State University's online Careers portal to drive your career with us! The online applicant system provides you with the ability to review job opportunities and apply to those that you are interested in and feel qualified for. Each job posting has a summary description of the position and required qualifications. All job applications must be submitted through the online portal system.

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=30000&JobOpeningId=297675&PostingSeq=1