Welcome A Bit About Me I am the Associate University Librarian and Head of John Cotton Dana Library (Rutgers-Newark). With more than 20 years in progressive library leadership roles, I believe that psychological safety is essential to cultivating a culture of innovation and experimentation. With deep experience in change management and transformational leadership, my work centers the patron experience by investing in library workers. This work creates safe, fertile places for amazing things to grow. StrengthsFinder Top 5: Strategic, Individualization, Ideation, Arranger, Analytical CV Contact Work

Let’s Connect Whether you are interested in discussing the future of AI in the research enterprise, implementing psychological safety frameworks in your organization, or exploring the evolving role of the urban R1 library, I welcome the conversation. I am currently based at the John Cotton Dana Library at Rutgers University-Newark, where I am focused on building inclusive, high-performing teams and navigating system-wide strategic change. Email amandaclaypowers@gmail.com First Name* Last Name* Email* Subject Message Submit

Work Psychological Safety In an era of rapid technological disruption and shifting higher education landscapes, the most resilient organizations are those that move from a culture of compliance to a culture of contribution. Drawing on the seminal work of Dr. Amy Edmondson and my own research, I implement frameworks for Psychological Safety as a rigorous strategic tool. My approach centers on the "Team Sport" of leadership—recognizing that institutional innovation only occurs when faculty and staff feel safe to "fail forward," voice dissenting opinions, and experiment without the fear of social retribution. Recent Publication: Powers, A., & Fife, D. (2025). Psychological Safety in Libraries: It’s a Team Sport. College & Research Libraries News. AI for Leadership Academic Leaders are faced with decisions about how to manage the whiplash changes in information environments. These range from managing expectations across campus to providing ethical leadership to allocating resources for new technological investments. I have begun presenting on these new challenges in order for leadership to explore paths forward. I believe the essential work that the library must do in this environment is to educate our constituencies on what is "under the hood." This is the same work we have done with databases, Google, OPACs, etc. In using AI, leaders need to know what they are and aren't searching. In this executive briefing, I outline a roadmap for integrating Generative AI into the fabric of the urban research university. Moving beyond the "functional" use of AI tools, this presentation provides a framework for senior leadership to navigate the intersection of academic integrity, digital equity, and the transformation of scholarly inquiry.

Curriculum Vitae Download CV Skills & Expertise Change Management and Strategic Planning Library Renovation and Construction Technology Visioning and Implementation Fundraising for Library and University Development Priorities Faculty and Staff Mentoring and Leadership Development in Tenure-Track and Union Environments Systemic Reorganization and Realignment of Libraries Psychological Safety for Teams and Orgs Progressive Leadership Experience January 2025 - Present Associate University Librarian AUL and Librarian 2 Rutgers University -- Newark Rutgers University Libraries Leadership Team Newark, NJ 07102 2016 - 2024 Dean of Library Services Professor and Dean Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS 39701 2012 - 2016 Coordinator of Research Services Associate Professor Mississippi State University Libraries Mississippi State University Starkville, MS 39759 Education 2002 - 2005 Simmons University Master's in Library and Information Science 1991 - 1995 Wellesley College Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature