The academic library veteran hopes to elevate USC Libraries’ ability to collaborate across campuses and amplify research.
Library veteran Melissa Just has been named USC’s new dean of libraries, effective Nov. 27. Just — a Trojan who received her doctoral degree from the USC Rossier School of Education in 2007 and spent several years early in her career at USC Libraries — has worked in academic libraries for nearly three decades.
Just, who will hold the Valerie and Ronald Sugar Dean’s Chair of the USC Libraries, joins the university following 6½ years as library dean at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada. In that role, she oversaw the strategic, fiscal and operational success of a library system serving 26,000 students and 1,000 faculty across 17 colleges, schools and professional programs.
“Dr. Just is a visionary leader for USC Libraries,” President Carol L. Folt said. “Her expertise and innovation will guide USC through the evolving world of library innovation, technology and resources. Dr. Just, a Trojan, understands that our libraries are at the heart of USC’s educational mission.”