GSLIS alumni Szu-Yu Chao (MS ’05) and Vincci Kwong (MS ’05) are among forty librarians selected to participate in Leading to the Future, a unique four-day immersive leadership development program sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). The inaugural event will be held from August 12-15 in Itasca, Illinois.
The program will be led by Maureen Sullivan, ALA president, and Kathryn Deiss, content strategist for the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Topics will include leading in turbulent times, interpersonal competence, power and influence, the art of convening groups, and creating a culture of inclusion, innovation, and transformation. Using real-world examples, participants will examine complex library issues and hone their leadership skills while networking with other professionals.
The selection committee, led by the Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA), selected forty participants as opposed to the slated thirty-five after the applicant pool proved to be quite strong. The committee looked for a diverse participant mix based on type of library, organizational responsibility, geography, gender, and race/ethnicity as well as demonstrated leadership potential, readiness for increased responsibility, professional achievement, and community or campus involvement.
Participants are expected to return to their institutions equipped with better skills for leading, coaching, collaborating, and engaging within their organizations and communities and with the ability to identify, develop, and implement solutions benefiting all stakeholders.