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Leslie Potter-Henderson

Lifelong educator and librarian takes over the helm at Raymond Hall

This summer Yakima Valley College was excited to welcome Leslie Potter-Henderson as the new director of library and media services.

Potter-Henderson earned her bachelor’s degree in history and Spanish and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Washington. For most of her professional life, she has been a librarian and educator. Most recently she served as the acting associate dean of learning resources and manager of the library, tutoring, and faculty professional development at Shoreline Community College in Shoreline, Wash.

“I believe in the mission and the promise of community colleges. My experience as a library manager and faculty member includes promoting equity and access for all students in the library, the classroom and the college. I served as an advisor for the Black Student Union (BSU), the Vietnamese Club and the Minority Women in Business club,” stated Potter-Henderson.

She has served the library field statewide as well as a member and official in various library associations. She was also part of a collective of professionals from Washington State community & technical colleges that worked on a project for the Governor’s office to identify potential barriers in the hiring process. The final report Diversity and Equity in Hiring and Professional Development (DEHPD) 17 Steps in the Hiring Process: Potential Barriers and Best Practice is available online. She is also a member of the Black Solidarity & Support Data Team, which examines data around minoritized student enrollment and employee professional development, in the Washington Technical and Community College system.