The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) have selected Lorin Jackson, assistant director of the Holman Biotech Commons at the University of Pennsylvania, for the 2025-2026 cohort of the NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program. This competitive program accepts approximately five fellows annually and is designed to prepare emerging leaders for director roles in academic health sciences libraries.

In her role at Holman Biotech Commons, Ms. Jackson supports librarians providing research services and instruction in the biomedical sciences, while cultivating a welcoming atmosphere. The Leadership Fellows Program pairs each fellow with a mentor who is an experienced academic health sciences library director. She will be mentored by Elizabeth (Liz) Lorbeer, chair of the department of medical library at Western Michigan University. Over the course of the year, Ms. Jackson will engage in intensive leadership development, including a site visit to her mentor’s institution.

Since its inception in 2002, the program has had a strong track record of success: 54% of its graduates have gone on to serve as permanent library directors. Ten former fellows have returned to the program as mentors, and 22 mentors have served multiple terms—underscoring the program’s lasting impact on the field.