History of UHCL Libraries

Dr. Vivienne J. McClendon became the new Executive Director of the UHCL Libraries in August 2019. She came to UHCL after serving as the Dean of Library and eLearning at Bellevue College in Washington from 2015 to 2019. Less than five months after accepting the position, the COVID-19 pandemic began, which limited the on-campus presence of personnel and available services for students at UHCL. Dr. McClendon worked with two different UHCL senior administrations to navigate the problems of operating an academic library while ensuring the health safety of staff and students throughout the pandemic.

Official UHCL photograph of Dr. Vivienne J. McClendon, UHCL Libraries Executive Director (UHCL Libraries records).

Dr. McClendon’s biggest achievement was the complete renovation of Alfred R. Neumann Library’s first floor, which is currently located on the second floor of the Bayou Building. The renovation started on May 15, 2021 and concluded in March 2022. This was the first major renovation within Neumann Library since the late 1980s-early 1990s. Dr. McClendon oversaw the renovation of Neumann Library’s classroom into an Active Learning Classroom with new digital capabilities, as well as a new XR Lab for virtual reality experiences where faculty can incorporate augmented or virtual reality headsets into their curriculum. Additionally, she initiated an endowment for the UHCL Archives with the NASA Alumni League, JSC Chapter, that supports internships and work on the papers of former NASA Johnson Space Center employees. Dr. McClendon left the position of Executive Director of UHCL Libraries in February 2023.

Photograph of NASA Alumni League, JSC Chapter, members presented an endowment check to UHCL Archives in June 2020. Pictured are (back, L-R) NASA NAL representative Cyndi Draughon; UHCL Associate Director of Development for University Advancement Richard Zalesak; NASA NAL representatives Denny Holt; Mark Scroggins, NASA JSC Archivist; NASA NAL representative Sylvia Stottlemyer. Pictured front (L-R) holding the check are UHCL Neumann Library Executive Director Dr. Vivienne McClendon, and NASA NAL representative Greg Blackburn.

Before coming to UHCL, Dr. McClendon worked in various librarian and professorial roles at the University of North Georgia (1998-2003); PhD graduate research and teaching assistant at the University of Georgia (2002-2006); Educational Technology Instructor at Georgia College and State University (2006); Coordinator of Media Services and Academic Skills Center at Western Nevada College (2006-2008); and Director of Instructional Support and Director Center for Engagement, Teaching and Learning at the California State University Maritime Academy (2008-2015).

McClendon earned a BA degree in History from the University of Montevallo in Alabama; a MA degree in History in 1987 from Midwestern State University in Texas; and an MLIS in 1998 from the University of South Carolina. She earned a PhD in Instructional Technology, Learning Theory, and Higher Education Administration, from the University of Georgia in 2008.