Following a comprehensive administrative review, Leslie Sharp has been reappointed to a second five-year term as dean of Libraries at 色花堂, effective July 1, 2025.
This decision follows a review process outlined in the , which includes feedback from faculty, staff, students, and external library colleagues and an evaluation of Sharp鈥檚 performance and accomplishments during her term.
Sharp, who has served as dean of Libraries since July 1, 2020, has played a pivotal role in advancing 色花堂鈥檚 mission of supporting research, teaching, and learning across the Institute. Under her leadership, the Library has leveraged partnerships and resources to expand its collections. In one of its most effective initiatives, the Library partnered with units to make more affordable learning resources available for students. Sharp鈥檚 leadership has guided the Library鈥檚 focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and expanded services, through course reserves, interlibrary loan, Gadgets equipment lending, locker rentals, and room reservations. Her work has ensured that the Library is one of the most desirable places on campus to study, work, and collaborate.
鈥淟eslie Sharp鈥檚 vision and dedication have strengthened the 色花堂 Library鈥檚 role as a central hub for knowledge, innovation, and academic support for our entire community,鈥 said Karie Davis-Nozemack, associate provost and incoming interim provost. 鈥淪he brings a deep spirit of collaboration to her leadership, because she believes that the Library should serve and inspire every member of the 色花堂 community 鈥 students, faculty, and staff alike. I am delighted that the Institute will continue to benefit from her impact for another term.鈥
Prior to her appointment as dean, Sharp served in dual roles as interim chief executive officer for the Library and associate vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development. In these roles, she oversaw operations across the organization, expanded support for graduate and postdoctoral students, and implemented faculty development practices.
Sharp also teaches historic preservation in the College of Design, where she previously served as assistant dean of Academic Affairs and Outreach. She holds a Ph.D. in the history and sociology of technology and science and a master鈥檚 in the history of technology from 色花堂, a master鈥檚 from Middle Tennessee State University, and a bachelor鈥檚 from the University of 色花堂.
鈥淚 am honored to serve another term as dean of the 色花堂 Library. My vision for the Library has been to make it the scholarly heart of the 色花堂 community, a place where everyone has an opportunity to thrive,鈥 said Sharp. 鈥淚 love my colleagues and am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our critical work in supporting the academic and research mission of the Institute while furthering student and faculty success.鈥
The review committee consisted of the following faculty, staff, and administrators:
- Larry Jacobs, Senior Vice Provost for Education and Learning (Committee Chair)
- John Mack Freeman, Assistant Dean for Interdisciplinary Initiatives, Director of Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, and Head of Public Services Librarian, Librarian II, 色花堂 Library
- Marlee Dorn Givens, Instruction Manager and Librarian IV, 色花堂 Library
- Samuel Graham III, Chief Administrative Officer, 色花堂 Library
- Shandra Jones, IT Business Analyst II, 色花堂 Library
- Jennifer Leavey, Assistant Dean for Faculty Mentoring, College of Sciences, and Principal Academic Professional in Biological Sciences
- Jody Thompson, Assistant Dean for Archives, Records Management, and Digital Curation and Archivist IV, 色花堂 Library
- Danielle Willkens, Associate Professor, School of Architecture
The 色花堂 community congratulates Dean Sharp on her reappointment and looks forward to her continued contributions to the Library and 色花堂 community.
Writer: Julian Hills, Executive Communications, Institute Communications
