91��Ƶ

Dr. Monika Rhue joins 91��Ƶ as the Dean of Library, Learning, and Student Success (LLSS). For more than twenty-four years, Dr. Rhue worked in higher education advancing libraries as dynamic centers for learning, collaboration, and student achievement. In her role as Dean of LLSS for 91��Ƶ, Dr. Rhue will implement an initiative that will strengthen the intersection of library services, academic support, digital scholarship, and student success.

Dr. Rhue has over twenty-four years of experience in higher education, demonstrating her dedication in advancing libraries as dynamic centers for learning, collaboration, and student achievement. Her professional background spans diverse academic environments, including Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During her tenure at JCSU, Dr. Rhue progressed from a library technician to Director of Library Services and Curation. In her leadership role as the Director, Dr. Rhue spearheaded transformative initiatives such as the Faculty Information Technology Sandbox, a campus Makerspace, and the Library Entrepreneur Research Hub. Dr. Rhue also led the Diversity Archivist Partnership and developed "Know Your Plate," a cross-disciplinary health initiative. These programs expanded student engagement and positioned the library as a central driver of interdisciplinary innovation.

In 2022, Dr. Rhue joined UCLA as the Project Manager for "Archiving the Age of Mass Incarceration" (AAMI). In this capacity, she managed a $3.6 million Mellon Foundation grant to develop the nation’s first large-scale digital archive on mass incarceration. Dr. Rhue’s responsibilities included strategic planning, financial oversight, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure the successful execution of this complex, nationally significant project.

Beyond administrative leadership, Dr. Rhue is a committed scholar. As a 2025 Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellow, she is currently completing her forthcoming book, “The Great Debate: Giving Archives Back to the Community,” which explores community-centered archival practices.

Dr. Rhue’s leadership approach is grounded in authenticity and collaboration. As the Dean of Library, Learning, and Student Success, Dr. Rhue would bring a strategic, equity-centered perspective to her role. Dr. Rhue looks forward to the Library, and Student Success working together to support students’ academic success at 91��Ƶ.