Sam Passey.

Sam Passey

Sam Passey

Associate Dean of Library Services
970-625-6986 | sjpassey@coloradomtn.edu

Sam Passey joined Colorado Mountain College in 2024 as the Associate Dean of Library Services. In this role, he leads and directs collegewide library services for eleven campuses, focusing on optimizing resources to support students, faculty, and staff. His work involves strategic planning, coordination with sponsored projects, and service on collegewide committees for curriculum, leadership, and resource planning.

Prior to his current role, Sam served as the Library Director for the Uintah County Library from 2007 to 2024. During his tenure, he provided strategic leadership for the county’s library, museum, and regional history center. He founded the Uintah Basin Library Consortium, and led the funding, design, and construction of a new $10 million-dollar public library for Uintah County.

Education

  • M.S., Library Science, University of North Texas
  • B.S., Social Studies Education, Brigham Young University-Idaho

Awards

  • Librarian of the Year, Utah Library Association (2012)
  • Award for Excellence in Operations, Utah Museum Association (2016)
  • Golden Key Award, State of Utah (2016)
  • Human Ties Award, Utah Humanities Council (2014)
  • Librarian of the Month, Bywater Solutions (2019)

Professional Associations

Sam is an active contributor to professional discourse and regional history preservation:

  • Navigating the Highways and Backroads of your Organization – Library Leadership Podcast, 2026
  • Work with your community to collect, preserve, and share local history – PCI Webinars, 2025
  • Patron Journey Mapping – PCI Webinars, 2024
  • Integrating local history in the Library – Computers in Libraries, 2023
  • Communicating with Local Government and Library Boards – PCI Webinars, 2023
  • Face Your Danger: the Story of A.K. Reynolds and the Cataract Boats – Executive Producer, 2022
  • Kids Canal Stories – Executive Producer, 2022

Sam also has a significant background in graduate-level instruction and professional advocacy:

  • Adjunct Instructor: Taught graduate courses at Emporia State University (2007–2011) covering Archives Arrangement and Description, Managing Library Construction Projects, The Organization of Information, and Web Design for Librarians.
  • National Advisory Board: Member of the Emporia State University School of Library and Information Management National Advisory Board since 2010.
  • Board Memberships: Serves on the Utah State Historical Records Advisory Board (2011–Present) and previously served on the Utah State Library Board.

Professional Interests

  • Library Leadership and Strategic Planning
  • Grant Writing and Administration
  • Facility and Construction Development
  • Digital Archives and Local History Integration