Congratulations to IS Lecturer, Dr. Michele Villagran who has been honored with a 2017 Special Library Association Presidential Citation for her service on the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. Members of the task force will receive the citation from SLA president, Dee Magnoni for their contributions to the association in 2017. The citations recognize their efforts to enhance SLA and further its goals and objectives.

“Serving on the D&I task force with SLA in 2017 to help SLA charter its diversity course was a huge endeavor and reward,” said Villagran. “I am very proud of my task force colleagues for the hard work we all put into this to ensure that diversity, inclusion, community and equity, DICE, stay at the forefront of all our minds.”

The task force, charged with identifying the role of diversity and inclusion within the association fulfilled their mandate in 2017 and is being transitioned into a caucus.

Villagran, whose special interests and research focus on Diversity Issues/Cultural Intelligence and Conflict Management/Dispute says she is pleased to see organizations place emphasis on this important topic.

“Our profession is diverse in so many aspects and it is very encouraging to see an organization focusing on the importance of diversity,” said Villagran. “Thank you to SLA for their recognition of the contributions that we have made, which I hope to be everlasting within the association and profession.”

About SLA
The Special Libraries Association (SLA), founded in 1909, is a nonprofit international organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners. SLA serves information professionals in more than 50 countries and in a range of working environments, including business, academia, and government. SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives. For more information, visit sla.org.

Photo: Dr. Michele Villagran