Midland College librarian selected for leadership instituteApril 10, 2019

Congratulations to Midland College (MC) Fasken Learning Resource Director Howard Marks upon his admission into the highly-competitive Texas Accelerated Library Leaders Institute, more popularly known as the TALL Texans Leadership Institute.

For twenty-six years, only the best of the rising Texas library leaders have been selected for this rigorous but transformational program. Librarians return to their institutions with deeper understanding of leadership theories and practices, communication skills and strategic planning.

“We are extremely proud of Howard’s accomplishments,” said MC President Dr. Steve Thomas.  “He has only been at Midland College for about nine months, but he has already made huge efforts to transform our campus library.  Howard has instituted community and student lecture events as well as chamber music performances in the library.  In addition, he was instrumental in securing the Texas Liberators exhibit for the second floor of the Fasken Learning Resource Center [campus library], which is currently on display through May 1.  Under Howard’s direction, we are also updating electrical infrastructure in the library and replacing furniture to make the library more conducive for today’s electronic equipment and student study groups.”

The TALL institute will take place at the Montserrat Retreat Center, located in the town of Lake Dallas. The intensive curriculum covers professional issues from the latest scholarly publications on leadership, taught in a practical and immediately applicable way by Harvard University instructor Maureen Sullivan and recently retired George Washington University Library Director Jack Siggins. Six mentors, all veteran leaders from Texas libraries, provide additional instruction and support, including incoming Texas Library Association President-Elect Christina Gola from the University of Houston and Lisa Smith from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region, as well as others from public and K-12 libraries.