MiALA Candidate Information

MiALA Board Candidate Information

Vice President/President-Elect (three-year term, one as Vice President, one as President, one as Past President)

 
 

Mies Martin

Brief biography
I am excited to be running for Vice President/President-Elect for MiALA. Currently I am the Interim Assistant Library Director at Aquinas College. Before joining the staff at Aquinas I worked at Michigan Technological University for over 10 years in a number of evolving roles. I’ve been very fortunate to have worked in a wide variety of positions throughout my 20+ years of work. I have a BA in History from Michigan State University, a MLIS from Wayne State University and a MS Rhetoric Theory and Culture from Michigan Technological University. While at Michigan Tech I focused my research on how academic libraries are transformed through technology and culture. I live in Grand Rapids with my wife and two sons. I enjoy brewing beer, spending time with family and friends, and, like many of you, have an immense book collection. 

 

Secretary  (two-year term)
 
 Katrina Rouan
Prior leadership experience
I have served as MiALA’s Executive Board Secretary since last September. I have also contributed to MiALA through roles on Conference Planning and Membership Committees.

Why would you like to serve on the MiALA board?
I had the opportunity last fall to step into the Secretary role when the elected individual was no longer able to serve the final months of their term. This experience has taught me a lot about being on a Board and I feel there is more I could contribute and learn through serving a full term in this role.
 Sandy McCarthy
Prior leadership experience
My past and current involvement with MiALA includes 2015-2017 Community College Board Representative; 2016-2017 Procedure Manual Task Force Chair; 2016-2017 Conference Planning Committee Member; 2017-2018 Nominations Committee Member; 2017-2018 Community College IG Vice Chair; 2018-2019 Community College IG Chair; 2019-2023 Health Sciences IG Secretary; and, Academic Librarian of the Year 2020. In addition to my involvement with MiALA, I am very involved with ALA/ACRL/CJCLS as 2014-2018 Awards Committee, member and Chair; 2019-2022 CJCLS Executive Committee, Chair/past chair; 2021- 2022 and 2023-2025 Nominating Committee Chair; and Mentoring Program Committee Chair; 2023-2025. Research Help Now, Michigan Virtual Reference Service Collaborative, co-administrator, 2003 - present.

Why would you like to serve on the MiALA board?
I am interested in serving on the MiALA Board for a second time to continue improving my leadership skill sets. With my service to the Board, I will expand my network of peers in Michigan, providing new avenues for growth, outreach, influence, and possible mentorship.



Publicly Funded College or University Representative (two-year term)

 
 

Sheila Garcia Mazari

A picture of this staff member
Prior leadership experience
MiALA Service:
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Committee, July 2020 – present
Co-Chair from July 2021 – July 2022
Residency Interest IG, September 2019 – July 2021

Local Service:
Grand Rapids Public Library June 2021 – present
Board of Library Commissioners

National Service:
Association of College & Research Libraries July 2021 – July 2022
Inclusive Pedagogy Committee, Secretary
Association of College & Research Libraries July 2019 – July 2022
Residency Interest Group (RIG), Leadership Team
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) July 2018 – July 2022
Constitution and Bylaws Committee, Member
Awesome Foundation Libraries Chapter Mar 2016 – Dec 2018
Sponsored Trustee
Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) July 2017 – July 2018
Scholarships and Awards Committee

Why would you like to serve on the MiALA board?
I have served on the MiALA Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee for the past three years and have spearheaded many of the efforts of the committee, including the BIPOC funding initiative, IDEA-related programming, and analyzing and compiling key takeaways from the Membership survey conducted in 2022. In addition, my work with IDEA has included reviewing the MiALA Bylaws and manual through an IDEA lens with committee members and ensuring that IDEA values are not only core to our organization, but that our values are actively reflected in the work that we do. I have worked at several public college's within Michigan and while I currently do not work for a Michigan institution, I nonetheless work and live in Michigan and further, serve my local community as a trustee on my local public library board. I am invested in the health of libraries in Michigan and I would like to serve on the MiALA board to continue to grow as a leader and contribute to building a strong organizational ethos grounded in inclusion, respect, and growth.
 

Micheal Greenlee

Prior leadership experience
I have been a Detroit Area Library Network’s Systems Librarian since 2019, where I serve 12 member libraries and work closely with library directors, IT stakeholders, and vendors alike on web and systems projects. A native of Detroit, I earned my MLIS from The University of Urbana-Champaign in 2010. I hold a Bachelor’s in Language, Literature, and Written Communication from Eastern Michigan University. Beginning in 2022 I have worked on the MiALA Conference Planning Committee. In this role, I corresponded with the Dean of Academic Success Programs at South Puget Sound Community College, Amy Tureen, bringing her on as our 2023 conference keynote speaker. For the Wayne State University Libraries, I have served on multiple departmental committees. A highlight of these is the Library Vision Support Team – a library committee formed to green light and support system-wide projects and initiatives. 

Why would you like to serve on the MiALA board?
I am a highly collaborative mid-career information professional, ready to build upon my specialized IT and library experience with more management and governance responsibilities. I enjoy working with the MiALA membership and community. I am in a unique role working for a public research institution while also managing projects as a liaison to community colleges and special libraries. 


Privately Funded College or University Representative (two-year term)

 
 

Rebecca Tull

Prior leadership experience
I have served on MiALA's Communications & Marketing Committee since 2020, and as the Communications & Marketing Committee CoChair and editor of the MiALA Newsletter for the last year. In addition, I have served as my Library's Marketing Committee Chair and marketing liaison to our Events & Displays Committee. I have brought professional experience, and a strong sense of the importance of, clear and active communication to these positions and to all of my work. Mission, values, and purpose, however, are what drive my sense of the importance of this work. Besides this work in the world of academic librarianship, I also have experience liaising with community-based organizations on behalf of a state health department client, skills which support the kind of liaising fundamental to this position. 

Why would you like to serve on the MiALA board?My reasons for wanting to serve on the MiALA Board as one of the two Private College and University representatives are many-fold. First, to serve and learn more about how private college and universities fit into the larger MiALA organization. Second, to ensure that the voices of my University and other private college and university libraries in the state are heard, whether it is to articulate a need or a contribution. Finally - and this supports my second point - to learn more about how private college and universities in the state are working today, how their needs align or contrast with each other, and how they align or contrast with those of public universities and community colleges in the state. 

Community College Representative (two-year term)

No candidates have been nominated. If you are interested in serving as community college representative, please contact Kate Langan. (kathleen.langan@wmich.edu)

 


Current board members who will remain on the board for the 2023-2024 year:

Incoming PresidentDarlene Johnson-Bignotti
Immediate Past PresidentCarin Graves
TreasurerDenise Layton
Community College RepresentativeLori Debie
Publicly Funded College or University Representative Veronica BielatA picture of this staff member
Privately Funded College or University RepresentativeAaron Kilgore

Click here for IGCC Nominee Information

All members will receive a ballot by email on Thursday, June 1. The deadline to submit your ballot is Thursday, June 8 at 5:00 pm.