MLA Rising Stars
The MLA Rising Star program has been developed to give members the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics needed to become a leader in MLA. The yearly leadership development program matches each Rising Star with a mentor in a curriculum that includes:
- Monthly classes led by MLA member leaders.
- Experiences and training to develop self-awareness of skills and dispositions as a leader.
- Opportunities to discuss, reflect upon, and apply concepts from classic leadership texts.
- Opportunities to gain a comprehensive, intimate view of all aspects of MLA, from Board meetings to MLA history, with a focus on strategic planning.
- Individualized projects that contribute materially to improving MLA.
- Structured exercises to give and receive the gift of effective feedback.
- Structured exercises to gain skills in effective and persuasive communication.
- Guidance in finding and working with a career mentor.
Rising Star Criteria
- The applicant must be a MLA member throughout the duration of the program.
- The applicant is considered ineligible if they have held a national level MLA position as chair of a committee, jury, or task force; elected officer of a section; or have served on the MLA Board of Directors.
- The applicant must have attended at least one national MLA annual meeting.
- The applicant must have demonstrated interest and commitment to professional service through participation in activities or conferences related to medical librarianship.
Rising Star Program Requirements
- To fully participate in the one year program, complete all assignments, and participate in 10-12 virtual meetings (90 minutes each).
- An estimated time commitment of 8-12 hours per month.
- Attendance at MLA'19 in Chicago, IL to meet program members and fellow Rising Stars is encouraged, but optional.
- Attendance at MLA'20 in Portland, OR to present your achievements is required.
- The recipient assumes all costs of attending the annual meetings (funding may be available to arrive early to the MLA Annual Meeting, if Rising Stars present their work to the Board of Directors).
Rising Star Applications
- Online application form, including all supporting documentation, must be completed no later than November 1.
- A brief (one page) personal statement describing the applicant’s background, previous professional service, goals for MLA involvement, how applicant would benefit from the program, and potentially contribute to the group’s learning;
- A current curriculum vitae or resume;
- A letter of support from the applicant’s library director indicating support for time to participate in all aspects of the program and attendance at the annual meetings;
- A current photo for promotional purposes. Uploaded to applicant's MLA profile or attached to application. (optional)
The recipients will be notified in March before the annual meeting at which the project announcements will be made. If there are no appropriate applicants, the association may elect not to run the program in a given year.
Ready to Submit an Application for the Program?
- The Rising Star application process is closed.
- Applications will open next in August 2019 for the 2020-2021 Rising Star Program.
2018-2019 Rising Stars Leadership Team
- Program Director, Linné Girouard, AHIP
- Project Director, Elizabeth Hinton, AHIP
- Assessment Director, Emily Hurst, AHIP
- Education & Management Curriculum Committee Chair, Gail Kouame
- MLA Education Director, Barry Grant
Rising Stars
2019-2020
- Kelsa Bartley
- Kathryn Houk, AHIP
- Jane Morgan-Daniel, AHIP
- Elaina Vitale
2018-2019
- Rising Star: Alexandria Leigh Brackett, AHIP
Mentor: Kristine Alpi, AHIP - Rising Star: Rachel Helbing, AHIP
Mentor: Neville Prendergast - Rising Star: Liz Kellermeyer
Mentor: Rikke Ogawa, AHIP - Rising Star:Terry Kit Selfe, AHIP
Mentor: Michael Kronenfeld, AHIP, FMLA
2017-2018
- Rising Star: Rachel Keiko Stark, AHIP
Mentor: Gail Yokote, AHIP, FMLA - Rising Star: Laura Menard
Mentor: Michael Kronenfeld, AHIP, FMLA - Rising Star: Hanna Lee Schmillen
Mentor: Ruth Holst, AHIP, FMLA - Rising Star: Nicole Theis-Mahon
Mentor: Derek Halling, AHIP
2016–2017
- Rising Star: Phill Jo
Mentor: Linné Girouard, AHIP - Rising Star: Rachel Charlotte Lerner
Mentor: Karen Liljequist, AHIP - Rising Star: Tony Nguyen, AHIP
Mentor: April Schweikhard, AHIP - Rising Star: Gregg A. Stevens, AHIP
Mentor: Michael Kronenfeld, AHIP, FMLA
2014–2015
- Rising Star: Roy Eugene Brown, AHIP
Mentor: Helen-Ann Brown Epstein, AHIP and the Hospital Libraries Section leadership team
Project: Hospital Libraries Section VALUES@ Initiative - Rising Star: Lisa Huang
Mentor: Laurie L. Thompson, AHIP, FMLA
Project: MLANews Feasibility Study - Rising Star: April Joy Schweikhard
Mentor: Angela Dixon, AHIP
Project: Chapter Council Roundtables - Rising Star: Debra Werner
Mentor: Linné Girouard and Linda Hasman
Project: Public Policy Toolkit for Members, Sections, and Chapters
2012–2013
2012–2013 MLA Rising Stars were hosted by MLA Board of Directors.
- Rising Star: Heather L. Brown
Mentor: Julia Shaw-Kokot, AHIP
Project: Work with a Chapter Council team to implement recommendations for interactive web features in the communications plan drafted by 2010 Rising Star Karen L. Hanus, AHIP. | Reflections on the MLA Rising Stars Program - Rising Star: Elizabeth V. Fine Weinburger
Mentor: Diane G. Cooper, AHIP
Project: Work with the Federal Libraries Section web committee to evaluate the section's website. | Assessment of the Federal Libraries Section Website | Participation in the 2012–2013 Rising Stars Program - Rising Star: Rolando Garcia-Milian
Mentor: Mary Riordan, AHIP
Project: Work with the Awards Committee to increase the number of nominations for MLA awards. - Rising Star: Kristi L. Holmes
Mentor: Jerry Perry, AHIP
Project: Serve on and work with the Task Force on MATE. Association Value and Planning Survey Project | Poster - Rising Star: Annabelle Nunez
Mentor: Nancy Allee, AHIP
Project: Work with the Leadership and Management Section's New Members/Emerging Leaders Survey Project | Association Value and Planning Survey Project | Poster
2010–2011
Host: MLA Board of Directors
- Rising Star: Karen Hanus
Mentor: Julia Shaw-Kokot
Project: Communications Plan for Chapter Council | Communication Plan for Chapter Council | Reflections on my experience as a Rising Star - Rising Star: Emily Hurst
Mentor: Connie Schardt
Project: Evaluate CORE Toolbox | MLA CORE Toolbox Assessment & Recommendations - Rising Star: Bob Johnson
Mentor: Rikke Ogawa
Project: Assist in planning section programs for MLA '11 | - Rising Star: Rex Robison
Mentor: Julia Kochi
Project: Review MLA benchmarking program and recommend ways to use data more effectively | "Tracking Trends in Hospital Libraries" (please contact via email for copy of report)