This spring, Karen Diaz will close the chapter on her nearly 40-year career in higher education and academic libraries after eight years as dean of WVU Libraries.
Karen Diaz, Dean, WVU Libraries.
First appointed as dean in 2018 following a year as interim dean, she will conclude her tenure in the spring of 2026 at WVU Libraries, which stewards 2.7 million unique titles, nearly 700 research databases, 245,000 journals and newspapers, and more.
Her final day will be announced when a new dean has been appointed.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as dean of WVU Libraries. I have been inspired by the great commitment to this institution that I see colleagues, community members, and donors exhibit every day,” Diaz said. “I have been inspired by the talent my library colleagues bring to their work and service to this campus. WVU Libraries has been a great opportunity for me, and I will miss the work and the people.”
It has been my honor and privilege to serve as dean of WVU Libraries. I have been inspired by the great commitment to this institution that I see colleagues, community members, and donors exhibit every day. Karen Diaz, Dean of WVU Libraries
During her tenure as dean, Diaz successfully integrated the WVU Humanities Center and the WVU Press into the Libraries administrative oversight.
The Libraries also opened the William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciences and developed administrative infrastructure for ongoing museum curation and programming.
In addition, she led the Libraries through the COVID-19 pandemic and a restructuring of the Libraries. This effort allowed the Libraries to keep vital collections and services accessible.
“Dean Diaz has been an exemplary University citizen and a consummate leader during her tenure as dean,” Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Kreider said. “She will be sorely missed, but we know the Libraries are poised and ready for the future.”
Prior to her arrival at WVU, Diaz served as head of teaching and learning at The Ohio State University Libraries where she spent 25 years of her career after also serving in librarian positions at the University of the Pacific and Louisiana State University.
Greenwood Asher & Associates is leading the national search for the WVU Libraries dean.
Additional details, including opportunities to provide input on the search, will be released as they are available.