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Concordia Nebraska names Karen Centeno as Director of Library Services

Seward, NE (07/29/2025) — Concordia University, Nebraska recently announced that the university has named Karen Centeno as the university's new director of library services. Centeno previously served as head of research and instruction services librarian at the Virginia Military Institute. She has also served in various library and instructor roles at Old Dominion University in Virginia, University of Puerto Rico, Educational Technical College in Puerto Rico, Carnegie Public Library in Puerto Rico and various schools in Virginia and Puerto Rico.

"We welcome Karen Centeno as our new director of library services," said Concordia Nebraska Associate Provost, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Acting Dean of the School of Business Dr. Lisa Ashby. "Her leadership will help shape the library as a dynamic hub of knowledge, discovery and support."

Centeno's key responsibilities at the university include leading the library's vision and strategy in alignment with university goals; fostering a collaborative, service-oriented library culture; managing budgets, staffing, and strategic initiatives; serving on university committees and as liaison to academic and administrative departments; advocating the library to university leadership and the Board of Regents; promoting professional growth among library staff; overseeing compliance, operations, collection development, and statistical reporting; and promoting library services and managing library resources and infrastructure

"My role involves aligning library goals with the university's strategic plan while fostering a culture of service and collaboration across campus," explained Casillas. "I lead the library team, manage the budget, advocate for resources, oversee staff development and promote library services to the broader Concordia community. I also stay informed of emerging trends in academic libraries and represent the library through professional service and engagement."

Centeno is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership in higher education from Old Dominion University. She has a master's degree in library and information science from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus; has a post-bachelor's certification as a teacher library from the University of Puerto Rico; and has a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education with specialization in general vocal music from the University of Puerto Rico.

She was recently accepted as a speaker for the 2025 Nebraska Library Association Annual Conference, "Soaring to New Heights," to be held in October in York, Nebraska. Her presentation, Expanding Career Opportunities Across Library Types and Leadership Roles in Challenging Contexts, was selected for inclusion through a peer review process.

This is a meaningful achievement that highlights Concordia's presence in the statewide academic and professional library community," she explained. "The session focuses on how librarians can navigate transitions across library sectors and grow into leadership roles, using my own journey from school librarian to academic library director as a case study. It includes hands-on, interactive elements for early- and mid-career librarians considering their next professional step."

In her new role, one of Centeno's objectives is to position the university's Link Library as a central hub for the Concordia community, encompassing students, faculty and the surrounding community, particularly those with diverse areas of knowledge. Her goal is for Link Library to serve as a cross-sectorial space for information access, discovery and the creation of new knowledge.

"Working at Concordia allows me to integrate faith and service in my professional life. It's a place where I can contribute meaningfully to students' growth in a spiritually supportive environment," she said.

Centeno and her husband Marcos have three children, Frances Karim, Omar Antonio and Loyda Lyz, and two grandchildren, Isabelle Rose and Gabriella Eloise. Her husband is an accomplished musician, and she enjoys playing guitar, singing in church, traveling, cooking, making handcrafted cards and practicing calligraphy.

Centeno has professional experience across school, public, and academic libraries, bringing a well-rounded and student-centered approach to her leadership. Her areas of interest include information literacy instruction, research support, user experience and equity in access to information. She has conducted research and presented at educational conferences nationally and internationally. "As a professional librarian and educator, I am committed to assisting students in developing the information skills necessary to become informed, engaged and responsible citizens," she said. "I believe that education has the potential to change people's lives, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and grow. Libraries are spaces of freedom where users can access information and grow their creativity. Concordia's Christ-centered purpose provides a faith-based setting in which I may serve with purpose, assisting users to grow both academically and spiritually."

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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