Michigan State University Libraries Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Organization Development Alexandra Rivera has been selected to join this year’s Library Senior Fellows program at University of California, Los Angeles.

The UCLA Library Senior Fellows program is considered the longest-running leadership development program in the library profession. Established in 1982, the three-week residential program is held biennially in July, and combines management perspectives, strategic thinking and practical and theoretical approaches to the issues confronting academic institutions and their libraries to help prepare fellows for more advanced roles in library leadership.

MSU Libraries Dean Neil Romanosky was ecstatic about Rivera’s inclusion in the program selection. “I am so pleased that Associate Dean Rivera has been chosen as a fellow in this prestigious program,” he said. “The selection process is known for being especially competitive, and it’s wonderful that she is able to join the distinguished list of scholars who constitute this year’s cohort.”

The 2024 fellowship program cohort includes 20 top managers of academic libraries from across the country. In the four decades it’s been in place, the program has seen more than 300 fellows, including about 100 who have gone on to become library directors; approximately 60 of those directorship appointments were at Association of Research Libraries institutions.

Rivera shared her excitement about joining this year’s fellowship cohort. “I am delighted to be participating in the UCLA Senior Fellows program. The practice of leadership has always been of interest to me, particularly inclusive leadership models. I believe leadership should be a shared venture that includes an ongoing exchange of ideas and conversation, and that everyone should have the agency to lead in their communities of practice. This program is highly regarded for developing impactful academic library leaders, many of whom have been exemplary role models for me. I look forward to learning with and from colleagues in the program and being part of a cohort of leaders working toward fostering academic library excellence.”

The 2024 UCLA Library Senior Fellows program cohort is scheduled to begin the three-week residential program at UCLA on July 8.

This story originally appeared on the MSU Libraries website.