Provost launches search for university librarian

The office of the senior vice president and provost has launched a national search for the next leader of the University Library.

The selected candidate will succeed Colonel Gary G. Swenson Dean of Library Services Hilary Seo, who in October announced her intent to retire in July 2026 after serving as dean or interim dean since 2019.

Seo's successor will serve as the Colonel Gary G. Swenson University Librarian, a senior professional and scientific staff role to advance Iowa State's land-grant mission by providing academic leadership around three strategic pillars:

• Student success: Advancing learning and belonging by stewarding high‑impact library spaces and services that support students throughout their academic journeys.
• Research excellence: Cultivating an environment where discovery thrives by ensuring seamless access to scholarly resources and data, strengthening interdisciplinary research support and advancing open scholarship.
• Technology and AI leadership: Leading the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance research, teaching and operational effectiveness while maintaining a strong commitment to ethics and stewardship.

A search committee for the position will be chaired by associate vice president for research Jim Reecy and associate provost for faculty Dawn Bratsch-Prince. Additional members are:

• Nicole Bartolozzi, office of the senior vice president for student affairs and University Innovation Alliance liaison
• Abbey Elder, open education services librarian
• Yi Jin, associate professor, School of Education; and library advisory council member
• Jonathan Kelly, professor and chair of psychology
• Jeff Kushkowski, professor, and innovation and entrepreneurship, business and economics librarian
• Michael Olsen, professor of mechanical engineering, Faculty Senate president-elect, and library advisory council member
• Ellen Wiseman, library services manager

The firm Academic Search has been retained to lead a nationwide search for candidates. Megan Peterson in the provost's office will provide administrative support.