Monticello Live

LaShonda Campbell, collection development librarian for the Fred J. Taylor Library and Technology Center at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), was recently selected as a 2025 Core Emerging Leader by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, a national division of the American Library Association (ALA) that supports librarians in leadership, management, collections and technology.

This prestigious recognition is a result of Campbell’s contributions and continued involvement in the ALA’s 2025 class of Emerging Leaders, which she was named to in the fall of 2025. Though both the Emerging Leader program and the Core Emerging Leader program focus on leadership development for early-career librarians, the Core designation offers a more focused, in-depth experience and includes additional responsibilities.

As a Core Emerging Leader, Campbell will join a select group of 50 library professionals from across North America in a six-month program designed to foster mentorship and leadership. Participants will collaborate on project planning, network with peers and deepen their understanding of the ALA organizational structure. The program includes a virtual session at ALA LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience and ongoing online collaboration and concludes with a group presentation at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June.

“It is an honor to not only serve as a 2025 Emerging Leader but also to receive an appointment to the Core division and work directly with the ALA board of directors. This assignment feels extra special to me,” Campbell said. “It will provide me with access to an incredible network of new and seasoned professionals in the field. Core’s mission to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers through community building, advocacy and learning aligns perfectly with my personal and professional growth to serve the library and UAM community well.”

Dan Boice, director of Library at UAM, acknowledged Campbell’s impact, stating, “LaShonda’s selection by Core was a recognition of her dedication to advancing the profession, based on her professional memberships and other activities for various organizations. Her passion for excellence in service to our community has already strengthened our resources and made the library a more welcoming place. LaShonda is constantly seeking ways to improve our collections and our services. I’m pleased that others are recognizing her determination.”