Kerry Creelman

Kerry Creelman, associate dean for Collections Services and Discovery at University of Houston Libraries, was selected for the competitive Association of Research Libraries Leadership Fellows Program. As one of 25 fellows in the 2025 cohort, Creelman will engage in a “13-month hybrid experience designed to prepare the next generation of senior and executive leaders in research libraries and archives.” The program affords opportunities to develop as a leader through a compelling curriculum, mentoring, self-assessment, executive coaching, and site visits.

“I’m thrilled to support Kerry as she participates in the ARL Leadership Fellows program,” said Christina H. Gola, dean of UH Libraries as of September 1. “This transformative leadership program will provide her with the knowledge, network, and leadership acumen to make broader impacts across the profession and bring new and innovative ideas to her role at UH Libraries.” 

In 2023, Creelman was chosen for the ARL Intensive Learning Program, an eight-month leadership development program for associate deans. At UH Libraries, Creelman holds the rank of associate librarian. In 2022 she was appointed as the associate dean for Collections Services and Discovery, a role in which she collaborates with fellow associate deans to ensure services and spaces meet the needs of students, faculty, and researchers; and leads a cohesive team of departments that support enterprise-wide collection building. In her prior role as head of Collections Strategies and Services, Creelman provided vision and strategy for collections management, the open educational resources program, and research visibility and impact services. Previous roles at UH include head of Liaison Services, coordinator of undergraduate instruction and outreach, library liaison to Athletics, and English librarian.

Creelman has authored and produced numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations, and has been invited to present her scholarship. In service to the profession, she has represented the University through various leadership and committee roles with the Association of Research Libraries, Association of College and Research Libraries, American Library Association, and the Greater Western Library Alliance. She holds a strong record of University service with appointments to elected, advisory, and planning committees.

Creelman earned a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Windsor, and an Honors Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Mount Allison University.