School of Information Studies (iSchool) alumnus Juan Rivera G’16 has been named to the American Library Association’s (ALA) Emerging Leaders class for 2018.
Juan Rivera
The ALA program is a leadership development offering that enables newer library workers to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into the structure of ALA, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity. It allows participants to be on the fast track to ALA committee volunteerism as well as serve in other professional library-related organizations.
“This year’s class joins a distinguished group of alumni, many of whom have made significant contributions to ALA.,” says Maureen Sullivan and Audrey Barbakoff, co-chairs of the Emerging Leaders program.
Only 50 participants are selected for the program each year.
Rivera is a library media specialist at the A. Philip Randolph Campus High School in New York City.
“Our library is the brain and the heart of the school,” says Rivera. “It was recently renovated, and is now used for special events, classes, studying and of course, reading. It’s one of the important places where students can exercise choice and learn by following their passions and interests.”
“Some interesting things I’ve done over the past two years include developing the manga and LGBTQ collection, further integrating the school library with the New York Public Library, and planning a family literacy night,” Rivera explains. “I’ve been able to make a lot of this possible through establishing several DonorsChoose campaigns.”
This past fall, Rivera was appointed to the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries. Council members work with officers of the State Education Department in developing comprehensive statewide library and information policy, and make recommendations to the Regents.
“Syracuse really taught me the importance of developing a personal learning network and working with people who have different talents,” Rivera says. “For this reason, I am excited to be a part of ALA’s Emerging Leaders program, especially since I will need to have a bird’s-eye view of all kinds of libraries as a member of the Regents Advisory Council.”
The Emerging Leaders program begins with a daylong session during the ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in Denver in February. Following the kickoff session, which includes orientation and training, the program will continue in an online learning and networking environment for six months. The program culminates in June 2018 with a poster session where participants will showcase the results of their project planning work during the ALA’s Annual Conference in New Orleans.
About Syracuse University
Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is a private international research university dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching excellence, rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11 academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence in the liberal arts, sciences and professional disciplines that prepares students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main campus and extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an institution of its kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Syracuse also has a long legacy of supporting veterans and is home to the nationally recognized Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their families.
