Western Illinois University Interim Director of Quad Cities Academic Initiatives Jeffrey Hancks has been elected vice president/president-elect of the Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries (IACRL).
Hancks brings 23 years of experience as a higher education faculty member to the role, with a career at WIU that has included leadership positions both inside and outside the library. He co-received the Illinois Library Association’s Academic Librarian of the Year award in 2025.
Hancks joined WIU in 2005 as the Baxter-Snyder Professor of Regional and Icarian Studies in the University Archives and Special Collections Unit. Since 2020, he has held a joint faculty appointment in WIU’s College Student Personnel program. His administrative experience includes serving as director of the School of Distance Learning, International Studies, and Outreach; director of the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies Program; and chairperson of the Department of Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, and Social Work.
When asked what IACRL members should know most about him, Hancks reflected on how his background in librarianship and higher education leadership has shaped his approach to his work.
“I have held a number of non-library roles in my career, and I believe my training in information science and higher education leadership has made it possible for me to ask the right questions, listen, locate and process complex information, keep things organized, and move complicated projects forward. While I don’t currently work in libraries, I will always identify as an academic librarian. I am pleased I have been able to serve WIU across our campuses, throughout our region, and when I led international studies, around the world,” Hancks said.
Hancks said he hopes to apply his experience in recruitment and retention to his work with IACRL, encouraging librarians to recognize the value of professional engagement and membership.
“Recruitment and retention is always on my mind regarding students, and that can easily extend to my work with IACRL. We need to make the case to our colleagues regarding joining or remaining members in the organization. We need people to see the professional and personal value in their engagement with IACRL,” Hancks said.
Hancks said his current role at WIU-Quad Cities allows him to connect university resources with the needs of the surrounding communities.
“In my current position as Interim Director of Academic Initiatives at WIU-Quad Cities, I have the ability to work with faculty, staff, administration, students and our local communities to help connect the institution’s resources with the communities’ needs. I like solving complex challenges, and as WIU-Quad Cities evolves, I like being a part of what our next iteration looks like. This is a challenging time in higher education nationwide, but I still believe 100% in our purpose. I enjoy being involved with initiatives that have the potential to make our communities healthier, wiser, and more successful,” Hancks said.
Hancks earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Scandinavian studies from North Park University in Chicago. He earned degrees in Scandinavian studies and library and information studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Science degree in instructional design and technology from WIU in 2010. He holds a doctoral degree in adult and higher education from Northern Illinois University.
For more information on the Illinois Library Association, visit ila.org/. For more information on programs offered at WIU, visit wiu.edu/academics.
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