Associate Dean for Education and User Services, Western Michigan University. 2017-present
Head of Instructional Services, Grand Valley State University. 2012-2017
Member, MiALA Strategic Planning Team. 2024-2025.
Member - Past Chair, MiALA 2025 Annual Conference Planning Committee. 2025.
Volunteer, MiALA 2025 Annual Conference. 2025.
Mentor, Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Instruction Section Mentoring Program. 2023-present.
Chair, MiALA 2024 Annual Conference Planning Committee. 2023-2024.
Co-Chair, WMU University Libraries Strategic Planning Committee. 2022-2024.
Member, Ad Hoc Bylaws Review Committee, MiALA Board of Directors. 2022-2023.
Elected Member, MiALA Board of Directors. 2021-2023.
Peer Reviewer, MiALA 2022 Annual Conference. 2022.
Mentor, MiALA. 2020-2021.
Vice Chair and Chair-Elect, Assessment Section, MiALA. 2018-2019.
Chair, Michigan Instruction Exchange (MIX) Conference Planning Committee. 2013-2014.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I'm excited to help lead our association from planning to action as we bring our new strategic plan to life over the next three years—this is a pivotal and inspiring moment for our professional community. With over a decade of experience in academic library administration and a PhD in organizational change leadership nearing completion, I'm deeply committed to translating strategic vision into results. Since our association's founding, I've been actively engaged—as a board member and in conference planning, strategic planning, presenting, and volunteering. That work has been a joy, and serving as MiALA's president would be a privilege. I'm eager to bring that collaborative spirit and deep enthusiasm for the profession to this role, supporting our shared goals and ensuring they deliver tangible value for our members and the communities we serve.

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
I would like to gain the satisfaction of seeing all the smart, ambitious goals our community and stakeholders set for us in the new strategic plan come to fruition while also balancing the ongoing successful operation of a growing association of library professionals and scholars. Over the past few years, the association has strengthened its financial position, streamlined interest group policies, restructured the annual conference, and mindfully expanded reach and opportunity for student and staff memberships. More changes are on the horizon, and I find it energizing to think about these new projects and new relationships as opportunities to empower the talents and strengths in our membership. I see a president's role as ensuring integrity, stewardship, and compliance with legal and policy requirements while also enabling smooth processes and resources for our membership to thrive.

Prior leadership experience:
I previously served as Recording Secretary for ACRL/NY (2017-2021) and for CJCLS (2018-2022). I also served for many years in other positions on the Executive Board of ACRL/NY and the Executive Committee of CJCLS.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I garner a great deal of satisfaction from participation at this level, having served as an officer for ACRL/NY (when I lived and worked in New York), as well as for the Community & Jr College Libraries Section (CJCLS) of ACRL (when I worked in a community college). I have been getting to know MiALA during the past year and a half, serving on several committees and subcommittees and becoming involved with various Interest Groups. In addition, having served on the Strategic Planning Team, I am super excited about the future of this organization.

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
I will get to further my familiarity with the organization and my MiALA colleagues, build new relationships, support some of the initiatives that will grow out of the strategic planning process, and have the ability to contribute to the organization's success from some of my areas of strength--organization and dedication.

 

Prior leadership experience:
I served on the MiALA Interest Group Coordination Council (IGCC) from 2021-2023, including as Chair from 2022-2023. I also served on the MiALA Advocacy Committee from 2019-2020. I have been an active member of many MiALA Interest Groups.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
MiALA is a vital organization for librarians and library staff throughout the state, enabling collaboration, resource sharing, and professional development across a wide variety of institutions. I have been an active member of MiALA for many years, and would be honored to have the chance to give back to the organization by serving on the Board. I have worked in a variety of library positions over the years, starting as a temp/on-call worker, moving into a library staff position, and eventually taking on a role as a tenure-track academic librarian. I believe I have valuable experience to bring to the MiALA Board and a unique perspective to share.

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how MiALA can continue to serve the interests of its members, especially at a time when library funding and library values are under threat. I also hope to make new professional connections and seek out new avenues for collaboration, especially across institutions.

Prior leadership experience:
For the past year, I have been the Community College Representative on the MiALA board. During that time I have attended board meetings, contributed to discussions on many topics, including the strategic plan, and worked in a small group on organizing and clarifying MiALA committee transitions. I have also previously served as one of the co-chairs of the MiALA IDEA committee.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
Because of a job change in January, I was only able to serve for one year of my original two year term as Community College representative. I would like to continue to serve MiALA as it is an organization that has given me so much during my time as a member. I am hoping to now serve on the board in the role that makes sense in my current job which is Public College Representative.

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
I am eager for a chance to finish my work with the MiALA committee transitions. In addition, this is an exciting time for MiALA as the Strategic Plan has just been adopted and I would love to be part of the Board that puts it into action. 

Prior leadership experience:
My current role as Systems Librarian I at DALNET involves direct support for a consortium of diverse libraries, including several public colleges. I have extensive experience in the administration, troubleshooting, and implementation of shared library systems like Alma and Primo VE. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the shared challenges and opportunities within a multi-institutional environment.
I have assumed leadership roles in various projects involving the integration of multiple systems and have provided guidance to DALNET working groups. This experience has honed my skills in project management, communication, and facilitating consensus among diverse stakeholders.
My experience in grant writing and project management, including securing LSTA funding for initiatives related to accessibility and open educational resources, demonstrates my ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives.
My previous experience includes serving on the MiALA Board of Directors as the Private College Representative and holding various leadership positions within DALNET, including Board Chair and Past Chair. These roles have provided me with valuable insights into the governance and strategic planning of library organizations.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
Having worked directly with a diverse range of academic, public and museum libraries through DALNET, I've witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration and information sharing in maximizing our collective impact. MiALA is central to fostering this environment within Michigan, and I am eager to contribute my experience to further strengthen these connections across public and academic libraries of all types.
My experience as a Systems Librarian I at DALNET has provided me with a strong understanding of the technological landscape within academic libraries. I am proficient in library management, digital asset management, and discovery systems, and I am keen to apply this expertise to address the challenges and opportunities facing public college libraries in Michigan through MiALA. I am passionate about the vital role that academic libraries play in supporting education, research, and student success (especially Information Literacy)!! Serving on the MiALA board would be an invaluable opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of academic libraries in Michigan, advocate for our shared interests, and help shape the future of our profession within the state. Having previously served on the MiALA board as the Private College Representative, I have a strong appreciation for the organization's work and its importance to academic libraries in Michigan. I am now eager to bring my perspective and experience to represent the unique needs and contributions of public college libraries.

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
I am eager to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing public college libraries across Michigan. By engaging with board members and representatives from these institutions, I hope to learn firsthand about their priorities and contribute to finding collaborative solutions.
I value the opportunity to network and collaborate with library leaders from public college libraries across the state. I believe that building strong relationships and fostering open communication is essential for the continued growth and success of academic libraries in Michigan.
I am committed to actively contributing to the advancement of MiALA's goals and initiatives. I hope to leverage my skills and experience to support the board's work in advocating for academic libraries and promoting excellence within our profession.
I also see this as a valuable opportunity for my own professional growth and development. I am eager to learn from the expertise of other board members and contribute to the strategic direction of MiALA.

Prior leadership experience:
I have a wealth of experience in many different areas, including serving on a variety of committees and boards in multiple different professional organizations, from the Michigan Health Sciences Library Association to chairing MiALA's Health Sciences Interest Group.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I would bring a wealth of experience from a variety of different committees and boards, and have served in leadership roles in many different organizations. I have served in the MiALA HSIG leadership, and my experience in those roles would bring a new and innovative perspective to the board, combined with many years of professional organization involvement. 

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
Jen's perspective and experience would be a great asset to the Board.

Prior leadership experience:
I have served on the MiALA board as a community college representative since October of 2024 and began serving on the leadership team for the Instruction and Info Lit Interest group in summer of 2024, planning our monthly casual conversations and leading a conversation in September 2024. I have also been a MiALA member for two years, have attended the past 3 MiALA conferences, and volunteered at the recent MiALA annual conference in Flint. I'm a member of the ACRL Community and Junior College Libraries Section, and attended the ACRL Conference in April 2025. In the past, I attended Michigan Academic Libraries Conferences when they were still a part of MLA, as an MLA member. I've worked in community college libraries in Michigan for a combined 6 years and worked at Tallahassee Community College Library in Florida for 7 years.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I began serving on the MiALA board partway through the year last year in October 2024, as a replacement for a community college representative position, and I am hoping to gain more experience by serving a full year in addition to the partial year I served so far. My first partial year gave me an opportunity to get to know more of my colleagues in MiALA and to gain a firsthand perspective on the behind the scenes work that MiALA does. Since October 2024, I had a chance to see the Strategic Plan as it developed, learned about the budget, and learned about the renewal process with our MCLS partner.

I've worked in community college libraries for 13 years now and I've spent nearly half of these years at Lansing Community College Library in Michigan. Therefore, I understand the unique needs and challenges of community colleges. I would like to help give a voice to our community college library workers who are not as represented as much as our 4 year universities and colleges in MiALA. 

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
I would like to continue to develop my leadership skills as I learn from my Michigan Academic Libraries colleagues and to help strengthen our statewide organization by looking into future partnerships we can make with other statewide and regional organizations. Continuing to increase our outreach and inclusion efforts and finding ways to fulfill our strategic plan is something that I would like to see. 

Prior leadership experience:
I have served on the MiALA Nominating Committee and have also been a board member of the shared governance organization for my college. In that role, I participated in responsibilities like those required by this committee. I oversaw committee work and helped keep the board up to date on the workings of our ad-hoc committees.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
During this time of growing for libraries and librarians, I want to take part in every effort that supports their mission. I believe the mission of MiALA is a crucial bulwark against the funding cuts and anti-library sentiment. In this role, I would love to help find positive ways for librarians to advocate for our profession and grow as leaders. Additionally, I want to ensure that community college needs and interests are well represented. Overall, I hope to contribute to the board and assist in any initiatives and goals they set out for the next two years.

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
I would like to gain more experience working within a lager organization. I believe this will allow me to grow as a leader and as a librarian. In addition to this I want to gain a better understanding of what organizations like MiALA are capable of and how we can all help grow our profession. I also hope to cultivate relationships within MiALA and contribute to the important work we are doing.

Prior leadership experience:
I currently serve as a web content manager for ALA SustainRT. Previously, I have served as the Secretary of SustainRT and Chair of the SustainRT Awards Committee. I also previously served on the ACRL Value of Academic Libraries Committee and on their ad-hoc committee for the ALA website refresh. In addition to my roles within ALA, I have served as a Counselor and Chair for roundtables in the Texas Library Association, and on programming committees and boards of regional and interest-based library groups such as the Cross Timbers Library Collective and Digital Frontiers.

Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I am a new member of MiALA and I have found that service is the best way to learn about an organization and to connect to the community within. Similarly, I am new to my position as a Director and serving in the role of Community College Representative would help me connect to my colleagues and counterparts throughout the state. Lastly from a personal perspective, my past service roles have enriched my professional life and kept my curiosity and passion for library work alight. It is my hope to find the same fulfillment in service to MiALA as I have had previously in ALA and other library groups.

What would you like to gain from your time on the Board?
A broader perspective of the MiALA organization, connection to the academic library community, and knowledge of the professional development opportunities available to library professionals in Michigan.

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