Business & Economy

UWF Innovation Institute names new executive director for Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative

The University of West Florida Innovation Institute has named Elijah Scott as the new executive director for the Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative, which is administered by the Institute.

“Although we had several exceptional candidates, Elijah Scott’s innovative mindset in the area of user experience in higher education library services and his sincere enthusiasm to support the FALSC staff and our college and university library partners set him apart,” said Dr. Pam Northrup, senior associate provost and chief executive officer of the UWF Innovation Institute. “This and many other things demonstrate that he is the right person to lead the FALSC team. We are excited to have him join our team.”

As executive director of FALSC, Scott will provide leadership and strategic support to Florida’s 40 college and university libraries while managing the resources and support teams that provide services to 1.3 million Sunshine State students. His office will be located at the Florida Virtual Campus in Tallahassee, and his first day is Oct. 10.

“I feel extremely fortunate and deeply honored to have this opportunity,” said Scott. “Working together to help our college and university library partners build on, guide, re-conceptualize and develop the future-focused direction of what libraries are and what they can do to help students succeed is what I really enjoy most.”

Scott joins FALSC from Georgia Highlands College in Rome, Georgia, where he served as the dean of libraries, college testing and curriculum innovation. He brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education and library services. Scott’s recent involvement with the University System of Georgia’s NextGen library system project provides relevant experience as Florida is currently upgrading to an advanced, next-generation integrated library system. Scott has also been very active in the GALILEO Steering Committee and the Georgia Regents Advisory Committee, where he gained valuable experience that will lend perspective on the issues and needs of the FALSC. Scott’s ability to envision the technical process while focusing on the user experience will help support Florida’s library system for the future.

For more information about the Florida Academic Library Services Cooperative, visit libraries.flvc.org.