Southeast Missouri State University

12/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/11/2024 01:24

SEMO Names Sharpe Dean of Kent Library

Paul Sharpe has been named dean of Kent Library at Southeast Missouri State University, effective with the beginning of the spring 2025 academic semester. Sharpe comes to SEMO after serving as the founding dean of libraries at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

"Mr. Sharpe's impressive career in library management and leadership spans more than two decades," said Dr. Doug Koch, interim provost at SEMO. "His tenure at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been marked by significant advancements in library services and academic support. We are confident that Mr. Sharpes leadership will benefit our students, faculty, staff, and community."

Prior to his current position, Sharpe served as head of access services at libraries at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the University of Houston. He has engaged in professional organizations such as the American Library Association and the Association of College & Research Libraries.

Kent Library has grown since its dedication in 1939 to meet the needs of the growing SEMO student body and is well-positioned to support the needs of the 21st-century learner. The library employs 28 faculty and staff who serve students and faculty across Southeast Missouri State University's regional campuses as well as online learners. The library includes a Special Collections and Archives department as well as the Heather McDonald Green Multimedia Center, Access Services, and the Instructional Materials Center. The library combines state-of-the-art technology and strong online resources with traditional library resources and services in one centralized, academic environment.