Contact: Matt Lazier
805-756-7109; mlazier@calpoly.edu

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Patrick “Tod” Colegrove has been named dean of Library Services at Cal Poly, effective July 13.

Colegrove currently serves as dean of Albertsons Library at Boise State University, where he has led efforts to strengthen library services, expand student and faculty support, advance major facilities improvements and integrate AI literacy into undergraduate education.

“Tod brings a compelling combination of academic library leadership, technology expertise and entrepreneurial experience,” said Al Liddicoat, Cal Poly’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. 

“His work reflects the essential role libraries play in advancing learning, discovery, access and innovation. I am confident his leadership will strengthen Cal Poly’s libraries as a dynamic academic partner and a hub for research, collaboration and Learn by Doing.”

At Boise State, Colegrove has led strategic transformation of a comprehensive university library serving more than 28,500 students and 1,500 faculty. 

His work has included expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening library collections and services, and supporting emerging technology initiatives that help students use AI and other tools responsibly and effectively.

Previously, Colegrove served as Nevada State Librarian and as director of the DeLaMare Science and Engineering Library at the University of Nevada, Reno.

At DeLaMare, he helped transform an underutilized science and engineering library into a nationally recognized hub for hands-on discovery, makerspace innovation, emerging technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“I am honored to join Cal Poly and work with the talented faculty and staff of the libraries at both the San Luis Obispo and Solano campuses,” Colegrove said. “Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing mission, commitment to student success and strong culture of innovation resonate deeply with me and make this an exciting opportunity. I look forward to helping Cal Poly’s libraries continue to evolve as places where students, faculty and staff connect with ideas, technologies, resources and one another.”

Colegrove is a first-generation college graduate whose early connection to Cal Poly began as an FFA member competing on campus in dairy cattle judging. He holds doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in physics from the University of Nevada, Reno, as well as a master’s in library and information science from Drexel University.

As dean of Library Services, Colegrove will lead Cal Poly libraries in supporting student learning, faculty scholarship, digital scholarship, archival stewardship, emerging technologies and collaborative academic engagement across the university.