SBU Welcomes New Libraries Dean, Karim Boughida

I am pleased to announce the hiring of Karim Boughida as the new Dean of Stony Brook University Libraries. Dean Boughida is an innovative and deeply experienced leader in academic and research libraries and emerging and advanced technologies. The appointment is effective September 15.

Dean Boughida’s most recent role has been Dean of University Libraries at University of Rhode Island, where he has been since 2015. His work positioned the libraries as a hub of innovation and interdisciplinary activity, and he has been a leading advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout the libraries’ operations and services.

He has led several campus-wide initiatives and strategic partnerships, including a makerspace, the first Artificial Intelligence lab in the world in a library, an XR (extended reality) lab, a Launch Lab for innovation and entrepreneurship, the acquisition and development of Dataspark as a data analytics unit, and the coordination and establishment of data science teaching and research programs. He also expanded engagement with regional and national organizations, including the Boston Library Consortium, HathiTrust, OCLC Research Library Partnership, and CASC (Coalition for Academic Scientific Computation). Previous roles include associate university librarian for digital initiatives and technical services at George Washington University, and senior information systems architect at Getty Research Institute Library.

He is an internationally regarded leader in data and library/information science. He is a frequently invited speaker for national and international conferences and seminars, and serves on several boards. This includes the board of directors for the Boston Library Consortium, the elected vice chair of the board of NISO (National Information Standards Organization), and editorial boards for the International Journal on Digital Libraries and the Journal of the Special Libraries Association – Arabian Gulf Chapter.

Dean Boughida holds a master in library and information sciences from the University of Montreal, and ABD and a bachelor in library science from the University of Constantine in Algeria. He is fluent in English, Arabic, and French.

I want to share my tremendous appreciation for the search committee’s leadership in this process, in particular the search co-chairs Nancy Tomes, Distinguished Professor in History, and Andrew Wackett, Associate Dean of Student Affairs in the Renaissance School of Medicine. The committee members were dedicated representatives who provided thoughtful feedback throughout the search.

Dean Boughida succeeds Shafeek Fazal, who has served as interim dean during one of the libraries’ most challenging periods in adapting throughout the pandemic. He has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the libraries and their essential role in supporting the success of our entire community. I am so grateful for his service and leadership.

Please join me in welcoming Dean Boughida to the Stony Brook community!

Sincerely,
Carl

Carl Lejuez
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs