Innovative and strategic leader selected as new dean of WVU Libraries and Press

West Virginia Universityis welcoming a champion of innovation and strategy to the leadership team with the hiring of Mark Paris as the next dean of WVU Libraries and Press.

Most recently, Paris served as the associate university librarian for Scholarly Resources and Discovery at Brandeis University, where he provided strategic leadership for a multimillion-dollar portfolio encompassing collections, scholarly communication, interlibrary loan, metadata and core library systems.

He also led major initiatives to modernize research infrastructure, expand open-access publishing in partnership with faculty and students, and implement data-driven approaches to collection stewardship and service design.

"The future is bright for WVU, and bringing leaders like Mark Paris to our campus is an exciting step," incoming Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Beverly Wendlandsaid. "Mark's commitment to our land-grant mission coupled with his proven capacity to collaborate and innovate is an ideal match for this important role. I am looking forward to working with him and watching the Libraries and all of its units continue to flourish."

Paris holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a bachelor's degree from Lincoln Christian University. Throughout his career, he has focused on positioning libraries and their allied units as strategic partners in advancing research excellence, student success and the public mission of higher education.

At Brandeis University, Paris managed complex library operations, including budget and personnel oversight, resource allocation and external partnerships. Prior to that, he spent more than a decade at EBSCO Information Services in product management, competitive analysis, and discovery services - giving him a rare dual perspective on the scholarly communication ecosystem.

"Growing up in the rural Midwest and working on both the library and vendor sides of scholarly communication have shaped how I think about access, partnership and impact," Paris said. "I'm excited to join such distinguished colleagues at WVU to advance the land-grant mission and build library and publishing services that serve faculty, students and communities across West Virginia."

With an official start date of April 27, Paris will follow Dean Karen Diazwho will retire May 1 after nearly 40 years in higher education and academic libraries, including the last eight in the dean's role at WVU. The WVU Libraries stewards 2.7 million unique titles, nearly 700 research databases, 245,000 journals and newspapers, and more.

During her tenure as dean, Diaz successfully integrated the WVU Humanities Centerand the WVU Pressinto the Libraries administrative oversight. The Libraries also opened the William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciencesand developed administrative infrastructure for ongoing museum curation and programming.

In addition, she led the Libraries through the COVID-19 pandemic and a restructuring, allowing the Libraries to keep vital collections and services accessible.

"Dean Diaz has been an exemplary servant leader during her tenure as dean at WVU Libraries and throughout her academic career," Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Kreidersaid. "Her steadfast commitment to the University's mission and collaborative spirit will certainly be missed, but she leaves behind a strong foundation for the Libraries' future."

Diaz will work to support Paris' move into his new role during the last week of April.

A University search committee worked with Greenwood Asher & Associates, a full-service search firm, to attract and identify top candidates from across the country for the Dean of Libraries and Press position.

"We are deeply appreciative of Honors College Dean Kenneth Blemings for leading the search committee and for the members' tireless efforts over the last several months," Kreider said.

A retirement celebration for Diaz will be announced in the coming weeks.

Find more information about WVU Libraries and Press.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Kimberly Becker
Director of Communications
WVU Office of the Provost
304-293-9919; [email protected]

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