Embedded Files
1. Describe or list ways you have participated in and/or contributed to the department, division, college, and/or district.
Link to Contributions and Achievements page
2. Describe or list ways that you have supported student success and contributed to the district core values, goals and/or missions.
To actively engage students and support their success on a personal level, I do my best to accommodate them by tailoring my instruction, spending as much time with them as they need, thinking of novel ways to explain concepts that resonate with them, and encouraging them to seek my support in the future. On a global level, I advocated for student access to open resources at OER, enhanced the usability of library resources by streamlining the collection profiles on OneSearch, and changing the reference desk signage. As an invited panelist at the Community Driven event hosted by the Skyline College Counseling Department, I sought to inspire students and offer tangible advice to advance their own career goals. Through efforts and activities, I have contributed to the district’s students first philosophy and values of open access, student success and equity, and academic excellence.
To further the district’s mission of empowering and transforming a global community of learners, I ensured that the library's digital infrastructure meets the evolving needs of students and faculty through active collaboration with information technology specialists at District ITS meetings. This also includes maintaining the Alma library management system, EZproxy, and shaping library practices to empower students by representing Skyline Library at the SMCCD Library Workgroup and District Alma Administrator meetings. In the spring of 2024, I lead a team to redesign the Skyline Library’s main website page to improve its user experience. With input from library colleagues and a web designer in the marketing department, we successfully launched a redesigned website that is more intuitive and easier to access to help the district pursue its mission.
Part of meeting the district’s mission includes my success in recruiting and hiring valuable talent as adjunct support, ensuring uninterrupted library services during the summer semester. As a highlight of my commitment to community engagement, I participated in the “Dear Human Poetry Reading” event, which showcased the library's role as a central hub for cultural and educational events. Through these activities, I have demonstrated a strong dedication to promoting library services and fostering a collaborative, inclusive community within the Skyline College and SMCCD District.
3. Describe or list how you have engaged in professional development related to discipline expertise and/or pedagogy.
Engaging in professional development has been a cornerstone of my commitment to advancing my expertise and enhancing teaching techniques. I have undergone training and certification at the National Equity Projects, equipping myself with essential skills to promote equity and inclusion within Skyline by coaching faculty and staff.
With a commitment to student success, textbook costs should not be a barrier to education. I had the opportunity to enhance my knowledge of Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) by attending the ZTC conference hosted by California Community College in Spring 2024. This experience has reinforced my dedication to reducing financial barriers for students by exploring and enhancing cost-effective educational resources for the Skyline community. The opportunity to participate in the Council of Chief Librarians (CCL) Annual Meeting has allowed me to stay abreast of the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in library management and leadership.
Additionally, attending the District Flex Day conference, where I focused on sessions such as Teaching Critical AI Literacy and Using AI for Learning, has provided me with innovative strategies to integrate artificial intelligence into educational practices effectively. I also participated in the conference on Adopting Artificial Intelligence in Libraries, organized by the Library Journal & School Library Journal, where I gained valuable insights into the application of AI technologies in library services. Furthermore, I have earned certifications as an Alma Administrator and Primo VE Administrator, enhancing my proficiency in managing library systems and optimizing user experience. These professional development activities have enriched my discipline expertise and teaching techniques, enabling me to serve the Skyline College community better.
4. Identify any publications, presentations, workshops, and/or job-related community activities in which you have been engaged.
Panel Speaker at Community Driven for Career Development hosted by the Skyline College Counseling Department: I shared insights on my journey to becoming a librarian, offering guidance and inspiration for aspiring professionals in the field or any other field.
Academic Senate Representation: As a representative of the Academic Support and Learning Technologies (ASLT) division serving on the Academic Senate, I am an advocate for student and faculty interests at Skyline College.
Presenter: "Beyond Cheating: How to Use AI Beyond Large Language Models (LLM),” which showcased how a Skyline student learned how to use Python through ChatGPT, demonstrating how AI could be ethically used to achieve academic success.
Presenter: “Communication Skills Workshop,” I demonstrated how AI Ideogram could be used ethically and beyond large language models (LLM).
Skyline College Liaison at the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges Open Education Resources (OER): In this role, I advocate the use of Open Education Resources and provide access to them to empower students and reduce financial barriers to education.
Full-Time Faculty Search Committee Member: I served on the Full-Time Faculty Search Committee, contributing to the talent acquisition process and providing librarian expertise on selecting qualified candidates.
Director-level responsibilities: I voluntarily obtained several director-level responsibilities to meet the institution’s operational needs, including serving as a point of contact for faculty and staff, making crucial operational decisions, talent acquisition, scheduling adjunct faculty, negotiating with vendors, maintaining service contracts for library equipment, leading staff meetings, and advocating for student needs.
This summary reflects my comprehensive involvement in various leadership, mentorship, and operational roles.
5. What are your current and future professional goals?
Link Goals page
6. What resources, support, or opportunities do you need to succeed?
Professional Development and Training
• AI and Digital Tools Workshops: Ongoing training in AI-driven educational technologies, digital literacy, and research skills platforms (like AI-based research tools, data analysis software, and educational technologies) to stay current with innovations and best practices.
• Ongoing professional development training opportunities in information/misinformation, advanced pedagogical techniques, how to engage learners, future needs and challenges of students, particularly those of the Gen Z cohort.
• Attending Conferences and Webinars: Opportunities to attend conferences, such as the American Library Association (ALA) or the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), where AI in education and digital literacy are discussed.
Institutional Support
• Library and Faculty Collaboration: Continued collaboration with librarians and other faculty to align on information literacy goals and develop interdisciplinary projects that leverage both AI and research strategies.
• Collaboration with ITS Departments: Close partnerships with district IT departments to integrate cutting-edge tools in your classroom, ensuring the necessary infrastructure and technical support is in place.
7. Describe or list ways you have participated in assessment of library resources, services, and/or instruction. Assessment may include but is not limited to assignment redesign, librarian-faculty collaboration/consultation, SLOs, PLOs, ISLOs, addressing student equity questions, using student input through assessments such as surveys, exams, etc. and registering changes as a consequence.
I’m currently collaborating with the library team to update and review the Comprehensive Program Review, a major component of which is assessment of library resources, services, and instruction. We are currently investigating ways to assess student needs and faculty and staff perspectives on library services. We will seek to aggregate data from a variety of sources to provide a more thorough picture of library services such as database usage, LibGuide usage, student surveys, event participation, focus groups, and website usage data. My focus is on refining the goals and determining the necessary data while working closely with PRIE.
I regularly consult and collaborate with faculty to improve assignments and design effective curricula. As an example, an English instructor requested help to redesign a high school assignment, focusing on analyzing students' favorite songs and artists, into a more in-depth college-level paper that enhances research skills and information literacy. After three one-hour consultations, we refined the assignment, structuring it to explore the artist's background, song analysis, and cultural impact, with attention to societal issues like institutional oppression and cultural ideologies. The revised assignment includes sections for introducing the artist and song, analyzing lyrics, and reflecting on cultural connections. To support the assignment, I proposed two library-led lessons: one on locating and evaluating credible sources, using databases like JSTOR, and another on MLA citation skills for handling diverse sources.
Another relevant example is BIO 260 where I collaborated with an instructor to teach his students how to write research questions and design scientific studies. I found two frameworks that I thought were relevant to his assignment and would simplify the process for his students. After reviewing my proposal, the instructor agreed to have me teach a class. After the class, I offered individual consultations for students who had specific questions or needed additional clarification, which the instructor appreciated and even offered students extra credit to attend. From my discussion with students, the lesson truly enriched their understanding of designing scientific studies. I also created a research guide as a reference on how to use the frameworks that were presented in class as a reference.
8. Provide information and/or commendations not addressed above.
Please see below for an evaluation from Dr. Lisa Weiss, English 110 instructor:
As the Embedded Librarian for my English 110 course this Fall semester, Vincent Kang has been deeply engaged in the collaborative process. Together, we have built the Information Literacy component of the course. Vincent has taught three informative Library class sessions on Distinguishing Sources, Researching Texts, and Writing an Annotated Bibliography. He has additionally helped design the course’s Information Literacy assignment—an Annotated Bibliography. The assignment complements students’ study of the course material by asking them to choose one of the assigned primary texts (which include two plays, a novel, and a short story) and research secondary texts for it. Vincent’s expertise has enhanced my English 110 course by helping students understand the value and importance of Library Research. I am proud of the collaborative work we have accomplished together this semester and look forward to our future collaborations.
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