With the best views, the Law Library is “prime real estate” at the top of the College of Law building. This was the vision of the late Nancy Johnson (J.D. ’86), associate dean for library and information services and professor of law. She wanted the best spot for the students and found agreement within the planning team and faculty. But Johnson’s imprint remains on more than the building.
Not one to talk about her own leadership, she modeled good leadership skills and demonstrated best practices. An example of her dependability and focus: Johnson finished updating a publication while she was in chemotherapy.
Profiles in leadership
What makes a great leader? We asked several leaders in the Georgia State Law community to share their thoughts on others who exhibit leadership qualities worth modeling.
“She talked about the importance of mentoring people, helping them improve so they could progress,” said Kris Niedringhaus, Johnson’s former associate director and now associate dean for library and information services and associate professor of law.
Purposeful in her actions, Johnson co-wrote papers with colleagues new to the field to help establish them and encouraged those hesitant to speak publicly by providing speaking opportunities. She felt strongly about creating proficient law librarians and mentored those who worked for her, as well as others.
“Most, if not all, of her associate directors have become directors of law libraries,” Niedringhaus said.
Johnson was passionate about teaching legal research. “When it was created, the legal research program at Georgia State Law was a leader in the country,” Niedringhaus said. “Nancy was at the forefront of emphasizing the importance of legal research and how librarians teach those classes.”
That, too, was for the students. She wanted to ensure law students understood how to do legal research well.
“In addition to the physical space, this library is Nancy’s creation,” Niedringhaus said. “The collection, services and culture were built by her. And I am the fortunate beneficiary.”