Board of Visitors
About the Board
The SILS Board of Visitors (BOV) serve as trusted advisors on educational, research and service programs for the School. The Board assists SILS in enhancing the perception of the School, encouraging the highest quality education, participating in strategic planning, evaluating the School’s progress and aiming to increase overall support.
BOV Diversity Statement
Members of the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Board of Visitors believe that we have a responsibility to support the education and cultivation of global citizens who will actively work in environments of social responsibility where ideas and differences are openly exchanged and explored and embraced.
We believe diversity drives innovation and that there is no room for discrimination against anyone because of race, color, religion, political affiliation, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information or difference of opinion. We support inclusivity and welcome multiple approaches and points of view.
We believe in supporting UNC and SILS with our expertise, finances and networks.
As a growingly diverse, active, and committed Board, we support the following:
- We support Carolina Next: Innovations for Public Good the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s blueprint for a unified, university strategic direction.
- We support SILS commitment to diversity.
- We support the statement made by SILS Faculty members’ that condemned “the decision, made by the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, to override the university’s recommendation that tenure be awarded to Nikole Hannah-Jones.”
- We support the statement by University Librarian Elaine Westbrooks, that states “we are professionally committed to the open exchange of ideas and to the mission of academia to ask uncomfortable questions, train critical thinkers, and serve as a platform for growth and discovery.”
As a Board committed to the future of SILS, we commit to the following actions:
- We commit to providing guidance to the leadership of SILS to ensure an engaging academic environment that is open, representative, and equitable to all.
- We commit to assist as needed in the recruitment of faculty and identification of internships and/or job placement for students who are willing to address and examine difficult questions and contemplate resolutions for uncomfortable situations.
- We commit to fundraising to support SILS students, faculty and initiatives.
Charles Lowry
Professor Emeritus, College of Information Studies, University of Maryland, College Park
Gerald Holmes
Professor and Diversity Coordinator, University Libraries, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Jamin Friday
President of SILS Alumni Board (SILSAA) and Product Development Lead at AARP Services
Degree: BA, Management & Society, Information Systems, 2021
Current Position: Product Development Lead, AARP Services
Joyce L. Ogburn
Principal/Founder, FarView Insights; Retired Digital Strategies & Partnerships Librarian / Intellectual Property Consultant, Appalachian State University
