HPU Press Release – Alexia Riggs, dean of libraries and associate professor of library science at Howard Payne University, was recently selected for the highly competitive Texas Accelerated Library Leaders Institute. More popularly known as the TALL Texans Leadership Institute, the program has recognized the best of the rising Texas library leaders for more than 20 years.
The program takes place at the Montserrat Retreat Center in Lake Dallas and includes instruction by Jack Siggins, recently retired library director at George Washington University, and Harvard University’s Maureen Sullivan, past president of the American Library Association. Additional veteran leaders from Texas libraries serve as mentors.
Ted Wanner, continuing education specialist for the Texas Library Association, wrote to Dr. W. Mark Tew, HPU provost and chief academic officer, to inform him of Riggs’ achievement.
“Librarians return to their institutions with deeper understanding of management, communication, and strategic planning,” Wanner wrote. “Graduates of the program have become directors of major library systems, administrators within school districts and universities, Executive Board members for the Texas Library Association, and leaders in critical initiatives within their own communities.”
Dr. Tew and other HPU administrators notified Riggs of her accomplishment Thursday morning at HPU’s Walker Memorial Library.
“I was honored to recommend Dean Riggs for this prestigious position,” said Dr. Tew. “In the recommendation, I was able to share several of the initiatives she has already accomplished at HPU’s library.”
Since joining HPU’s faculty in 2014, Riggs has bolstered the library’s efforts in supporting the teaching and learning goals of HPU’s faculty and students.
Riggs received a Bachelor of Science degree from HPU in 2002, a Master of Divinity degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 2007 and a Master of Library Science degree from the University of North Texas in 2009. She has completed all but her dissertation toward a doctoral degree from Texas A&M University in Commerce. Her past experience includes serving as reference librarian at Del Mar College, 2012-2014; technical services librarian at Paris Junior College, 2009-2012; government document librarian intern at Texas Christian University, 2009; and as a music library assistant at Hardin-Simmons University, 2004-2005.
