Thirty-six participants selected for seventh ALA Leadership Institute

CHICAGO — Thirty-six librarians have been selected from a highly competitive pool to participate in the American Library Association’s Leadership Institute. This year marks the seventh immersive leadership development program for future library leaders.

The 36 Institute participants will be: Jeffrey Berkbigler, Megan Biggins, Ginny Blackson, Alicia Blowers, Elisandro Cabada, Jeff Collins, Sebastian Derry, Denise Douglas-Baird, Elizabeth "Beth" Edson, Wenli Gao, Jonathan  Gaskill, Andrew Harbison, Monica Jackson, Eric Jennings, Jana Kopp, Sarah Kortemeier, Vidya Krishnaswamy, Lara Mayelian, Danielle Melilli, Amy Miller, Anne Miskewitch, Vicki Oatis, Grant Perrigo, Kiley Roberson, Kisha Sawyers, Hayley Schommer, Amanda Scull, Kelly Sitzman, Jerdaine Sterling, Laurel Tacoma, Emily Tragert, Amy Twito, Haley Walters, Merley Wheaton, Karrie Wicks, and Beverley Wood.

More about their current roles and locations can be found on the ALA Leadership Institute page.

The selection committee, headed by Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), looked for a diverse participant mix based on type of library (public, academic, school, special), organizational responsibility, geography, gender and race/ethnicity, as well as demonstrated leadership potential, readiness for increased responsibility, professional achievement and community or campus involvement.

Led again by ALA Past President Maureen Sullivan and Library and Leadership Consultant Kathryn Deiss, the ALA Leadership Institute is designed to help participants develop and practice their leadership skills in areas critical to the future of the libraries they lead and allow them to form a vibrant learning community and network. With content based on real world cases and nuanced situations, participants will explore topics related to the greatest challenges and possibilities of leading in a future marked by turbulence and ambiguity.

Participants are expected to return to their institution with greater self-awareness and self-confidence, equipped with better skills for leading, coaching, collaborating, and engaging within their organizations and communities. Participants will be prepared to identify, develop, and implement solutions which will benefit all stakeholders. Previous Institute participants highly rated the experience and its applicability to their work situations.

Further information is available on the ALA Leadership Institute page.