Dean Leo Lo announced as ACRL 2023 Vice-President/President-Elect

College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences (CULLS) Dean Leo Lo has been elected as the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Board of Directors Vice-President/President-Elect. Lo will become president-elect in July 2023 and assume the presidency in July 2024 for an one-year term.

With over 7,200 members, ACRL is the leading association for academic libraries, empowering higher education professionals to learn, innovate, and lead in the ever-evolving landscape of scholarly research, access to information, and student success.

"I am honored to have been elected as the new Vice-President/President-Elect of ACRL," Lo said. "This opportunity to serve the academic library community is a privilege, and I am committed to advancing our profession. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow ACRL members, the Board, and our partners to make a positive impact. One of my priorities is to explore the applications and implications of incorporating artificial intelligence technologies into academic librarianship."

During his 14 years of ACRL membership, Lo has served as co-chair of the ACRL President's Program Planning Committee (2021-2023); a member (2017-2019), chair, ACRL College and Research Library News Editorial Board (2021-2023); a member (2017-2021), vice-chair, ACRL Publications Coordinating Committee (2022-2023; a member (2021-2022), a member, ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award Committee (2020-2022), a member, ACRL ULS Public Service Directors of Large Research Libraries Discussion Group (2019-2022) and a member of the ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Awards Committee (2018-2020).

Beyond his involvement with ACRL, Lo has made significant contributions to numerous state, regional, and national associations. His expertise has been sought after on committees, advisory boards, and working groups, solidifying his reputation as a thought leader in the field.

Lo joined the University of New Mexico as Dean and Professor of CULLS in September 2021. He oversees over 120 full time faculty and staff and provides leadership for all University Libraries operations, Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences (OILS) programs, and the UNM Press.

Lo's research interests encompass critical areas such as open access, higher education management, organization development, leadership, and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. His visionary mindset and dedication to pushing boundaries will undoubtedly shape the future of academic librarianship.