By: Ryan Hedrick
Willie Miller, Associate Dean for Communication and Technology at the University Library of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, has been selected to receive the 2022 Innovation Fellow award. The award recognizes an individual interested in connecting with the Luddy School to help cultivate the next generation of innovators and global leaders.
Miller began working at IUPUI shortly after graduating from Indiana University with a Master of Library Science in 2010. During his early years at the University Library, Miller developed the “I Heart UL” campaign to help improve student experience at the library. The campaign resulted in a $1.75 million renovation to two floors of the library to create a more student centric space.
Also an adjunct faculty member in the Luddy School Indianapolis, Miller’s current work focuses on overseeing the 3D/VR Initiative, digitization and digital user experience.
Such strong commitment to improving student experience and the university as a whole speaks to why Miller was chosen for the Innovation Fellow award, which emphasizes leadership and notable contribution to the fields of computer science, informatics, information and library science, and/or engineering.
Miller said that winning such an award is not only an honor but a boon to the librarian profession as a whole.
“Many of us, working in academic libraries, find our work to be not only fulfilling, but also critical to the mission of our institutions,” he said. “I think getting recognized for my contributions as a librarian helps those outside of our field see what librarians are doing this century.”
Miller gives a lot of credit to his colleagues and their projects to better assess and respond to the needs of the university and the specific needs of the library’s patrons.
“The work I have done with my colleagues helps to reshape how we support teaching, learning, and research at our institution, and it has provided models for other libraries to build on,” Miller said. “Librarians must be innovative in our approaches to the financial and social pressures facing our field today.”