Editor’s Note: In the lead-up to the 2019 ALA/ACRL election, we’re profiling the 2019 ACRL Board of Directors candidates. We’ll feature one candidate in slate order each weekday from February 27 – March 8. Complete details on candidates for ACRL offices are available on the election website. Make sure to vote for the candidates of your choice starting March 11.
Jon E. Cawthorne, Ph.D. is the Dean of the Wayne State University Library System, including the School of Information Sciences, in Detroit, Michigan and a 2019 candidate for the ACRL Board of Directors as Vice-President/President-Elect.
1. Describe yourself in three words: Positive, leader, compassionate.
2.. Describe ACRL in three words: Collaborative, inspiring, networked.
3. Why do you value about ACRL? I value ACRL because that it’s the one place that all of us can talk about and explore our commonalities, ways we might work together, and support and develop ideas in our profession as college and research libraries.
4. What would you as candidate for the ACRL Board bring to this position? I bring a deep interest in process and organizational structure, an extensive perspective on leadership, and a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion.
5. In your own words: I think working in higher education is one of the greatest ways you can spend your days on this earth, and I think libraries can have a great impact on the next level of leadership in the world. Because of the opportunities that I see, I’m excited every day to come to work! I’m looking forward to bringing this same energy, enthusiasm, and positivity as your next ACRL President.
6. What are you reading (or listening to on your mobile device(s)? I am listening to On Being hosted by Krista Tippett, The Leadership Podcast: We Study Leaders, The Accidental Creative, and Hidden Brain, hosted by Shankar Vedantam.