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About the Dean of Libraries

Dean Dawn Kight PhD
Current Dean of Libraries Dawn Ventress Kight PhD. [ Credit: Christopher Russell ]

The daughter of educators, born in Baton Rouge, Dawn has spent most of her adult life working to improve the lives of youths in her community and beyond. Her passion is to see others become their best selves, and she believes education, is a vehicle to success. Her journey includes receiving a BS degree in Computer Science, masters in Library and Information Science, and a PhD in Science and Mathematics Education, where her dissertation research focused on information literacy in STEM higher education. Her work life includes positions that focused on libraries, information science, computer applications, and STEM. As Dean of the Library, she combines previous work experiences to strengthen, develop, and provide innovative leadership to the Southern University community. Her proficiencies and leadership skills were gained from working as a computer programmer, systems librarian, instructor, lead library technologist, information services head, library consultant, and distance education program officer, along with participating in several national library and technology leadership programs. While championing libraries and digital literacy, Dawn shares information through presentations, guest speaking, and writing. In 2022, she was featured for her work with digital inclusion in American Libraries, the main publication of the American Library Association (ALA) and she was also selected as the LOUIS Libraries 2021 Academic Librarian of the Year.

While serving as a Visiting Program Officer for the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), she noticed inequities in higher education. This fueled her passion to help those who need a greater push. She continues to serve as a Girl Scout Leader in a highly impoverished area of the city and encourages girls to consider majors and careers in Librarianship and STEM. Her life is centered in faith and values, where she believes that welcoming open communication is key to appreciating, respecting, and improving the world in which we live. Therefore, having diversity of thought is how she and her husband, Joe, raised their now adult daughters, Leah, Lauren, and Lauri. In addition to spending time with family, Dawn loves to read (fiction), travel, watch movies, listen to music, and attend SU Jaguar and New Orleans Saints sporting events.