2018 CLA ELECTIONS

Candidates for President: Chad Helton  Hillary Theyer   Candidates for Secretary Stephanie Beverage Melanie Lightbody    Candidates for Board  Jayanti Addleman  John Alita  Kris Amaral  Chris Brown  Cindy Chadwick  Diana Garcia   Eva Mitnick  Shawn Thrasher  Michele Villagran  Emily Weak

Michele Villagran, San Jose State University School of Information

Board at Large

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran is based in the Greater Los Angeles area and is an Assistant Professor with San Jose State University School of Information. She was formerly a Lecturer and LIS Coordinator with the University of North Texas Department of Information Science. Additionally, Dr. Villagran serves as CEO of CulturalCo, LLC consulting in areas of cultural competency, diversity & inclusion, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran is an accomplished educator, innovative speaker, entrepreneur, librarian, and diversity & inclusion expert with over 24+ years of experience in the public and private sectors. Dr. Villagran’s research focuses on diversity and social justice in library and information science and cultural intelligence phenomena within libraries.

Dr. Villagran earned her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership with her dissertation focusing on cultural intelligence with Pepperdine University. She also completed her Masters of Dispute Resolution and Certificate of Dispute Resolution with Pepperdine. At the University of North Texas, Dr. Villagran completed her M.L.S. degree in Legal Informatics and her M.B.A. in Strategic Management.

She is an advanced certified cultural intelligence and unconscious bias facilitator through the Cultural Intelligence Center, and Conflicts Dynamic Profile consultant. She is involved with numerous associations in the fields of library and information science, conflict management and leadership.

Candidate Statement

1. How do you define leadership?
   Leadership has many definitions depending on context, however I feel leadership includes setting a direction, motivating individuals, and engaging with individuals in order to inspire them. In my leadership, I like to help others to have a vision toward an end goal. Leadership involves not only being a visionary, but also coaching and bringing individuals together. Leadership brings together people, expertise, and often leads to innovation.
2. Why are you interested in this position?
   I would like to utilize my leadership expertise to help CLA expand in membership, programs and offerings. This position will give me an opportunity to share my thoughts and visions to help the association grow. Having been involved with many other associations and served on other Boards, I would like to contribute to my state and give back. I think that CLA can do more statewide and would like to be involved with these initiatives.
3.  How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style?
   I would describe my personal leadership style as transformational. When working with staff or leading projects/committees, I have created a vision with their input and motivated individuals to become engaged. With this style, I am very hands-on and coach to help my team grow.
   
   I would characterize my communication style as intuitive, yet functional. I am very goal oriented and like to see results. Planning and detail-orientation are strengths of mine. At the same time, I think big picture and how we can get there. I utilize skills such as emotional and cultural intelligence to ensure successful interactions when emotions may be involved or in cross-cultural situations.
4.  What strengths would you bring to the position?
   My background and expertise from working in differing positions within three different states. I am involved nationally with several associations (LIS and outside the profession). I would like to share my expertise and experiences from other associations with others. Additionally, I am great with time management, organization, marketing, and sales. I love to teach and share knowledge. I enjoy all things diverse; and the cultural experience of every interaction. I am a huge advocate of networking, and being connected. I feel that CLA can leverage my connections throughout the years with individuals from all levels, all cultures and all walks of life.
5. What experience do you bring to this position?
   I have 24+ years’ professional library and information science experience from both the private and public sectors. I am involved with many organizations. I have my own consulting firm, CulturalCo, focusing on helping organizations be more effective and successful when it comes to diversity, cultural and conflict issues. My educational background in LIS, management, dispute resolution and organizational leadership all contain skills I would like to share with CLA. I have presented for many years at CLA and have remained a loyal member even though my employer affiliation was in Texas for the past 9 years. Now that I am affiliated with a California institution and still living in LA, I will give more of my time and efforts to my California communities.
6.  What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?
   Within education and research, I would say the following trends that are informing my work at this time as an educator:
    1. Changing infrastructure to support library changes (technology, program offerings, LIS curriculum changes to be relevant to the profession)
    2. Research scope has widened to include areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain
    3. Support of funding
    4. Leadership development
    5. Outreach and marketing to diverse groups
   
7. Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?
   My top two outside our profession is Simon Sinek and Malcolm Gladwell. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with both of them. I was so amazed by each of them. Peter Drucker and Daniel Pink are two others that I have followed closely as I’ve taught courses in leadership and business. Within libraries, I would say my top two are Stephen Abram and Ron Wheeler (past-president of AALL). Both are influential, inspiring and thought leaders. Having seen Dr. Carla Hayden recently, I would add her to the list. Finally, Bryan Stevenson spoke to my heart when I read his book Just Mercy.
8. Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?
   In no particular order, here is a list:
   - California State Library & State Librarian
   - Special Libraries Association chapters
   - Academic library systems
   - State, County, Court
   - Public library directors
   - California Library Trustees and Commissioners
   - Local and state agencies
   - Patrons
   - Local businesses
   - Cooperatives
   - School districts
   - Media
9. What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?
   Each of these presents challenges, but also opportunities for California libraries:
   
   - Mental stability/health
   - One area that I have particularly focused on is diversity including generations. We now have a challenge with the diversity of generations not only in the workforce, but also as patrons. Service demands are different and library services need to change. This presents an opportunity for us to truly examine and provide the best-suited resources and needs for each generational group. This includes immigrant populations and those groups often at risk.
   - Another challenge that is still of concern is the transition from print to digital. Technology; platforms such as Overdrive have helped in offering collections in electronic form.  
   - Stabilized funding – federal and state levels
   - Privacy issues & fake news/misinformation. A very current challenge and yet an opportunity is that of “fake news.” I think this is more of an opportunity because it allows libraries to truly shine in what we do and who we are.
10. Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.
    My experience has been very positive and that is why I keep coming back to serve and support organizations. I ran for the CLA Board last year and did not win, but that didn’t stop me from trying again! I like to be involved to help make a difference in our profession. I have served on association committees and interest groups since I joined associations back in 2002. For example, currently, I am on a committee for CARL and JCLC. I have just gone off the board of SANDALL and am now on the Board for SLA-SD. I am also involved with section/division/caucuses of different associations.
11. Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California.
    I am a huge networker and a believer in networking. My network of connections with library professionals and stakeholders in California spans the spectrum of diversity. I am connected with newer members in the profession to those that have been in the profession for many years. Ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and library experience are all diverse. I regularly use my LinkedIn as my professional network and have made many long lasting relationships through networking. I make an effort to get to know you and stay connected. I have lived in California for 11 years now and one of my prior positions was as a Librarian Relations Manager. I had a territory of about six states where I would regularly meet with directors and librarians. In a prior position as director of recruiting, I became even more connected with directors and those seeking positions. More recently, in my former position, my network has expanded even further as I recruit and host events for our California cohorts (Greater Los Angeles and Northern California). Attending conferences, presenting at events and working exhibit halls has all helped increase my connections within the profession. I have consulted with several libraries and worked with stakeholders to address their pain points and provide them with services to help them succeed.