Five Libraries Employees Step Into New Roles at Start of Fall Semester
Five Pepperdine Libraries employees stepped into new roles with increased responsibilities at the start of the fall 2026 semester. Elena (Lanie) Elliott is now operations coordinator; Katrina Gallardo Palma is now associate university librarian for library administration, operations, and strategic planning; Mia McGee is now librarian for health science (officing at the Calabasas campus); Catherine Schuman is now daytime circulation and operations manager; and Kassidy Shreck is now research and instruction librarian. All five team members are excited to take on new duties as they help impact student learning at Pepperdine.
Elena (Lanie) Elliott
Elena Elliott has relocated from the West Los Angeles Graduate Campus Library to Payson Library and now provides administrative support to the Dean of Libraries office in her new role as operations coordinator. Lanie oversees key library-wide processes, such as professional development funding and receiving in-kind donations, and collaborates with her library faculty colleagues to lead faith-based initiatives through the Libraries Spiritual Formation and Biblical Literacy committees.
"I'm excited to be based at Payson Library now, getting to see so many of my colleagues face-to-face and being a part of the vibrant energy at the Malibu Campus."
Katrina Gallardo Palma
With the recent completion of her PhD in Higher Education, Katrina Gallardo Palma was promoted from director to associate university librarian for administration, operations, and strategic planning. In her new role as a library faculty member, Katrina will expand upon her dissertation research on the history and mission of Church of Christ colleges and collaborate on initiatives with the director and archivist of the Rushford Center. In addition to continuing her previous responsibilities of strategic planning, budgeting, and managing personnel for the libraries, Katrina now directly supervises Lauren Haberstock, the director of the Genesis Lab/librarian for emerging technology, and Lanie Elliot, the operations coordinator.
"It has already been such a joy to incorporate research and teaching into my administrative work. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve God and the Pepperdine community through this role."
Mia McGee
Moving from Payson Library to the Calabasas Campus Library, Mia McGee is now health sciences librarian, where she assists College of Health Science faculty and students in the School of Nursing, the School of Speech Language Pathology, and the forthcoming School of Physician Assistant Studies. In her role, Mia manages the library, oversees faculty outreach to increase use of library resources and services, and hosts orientation sessions for faculty and students. She previously served as research and instruction librarian.
"I am most looking forward to serving the students as they achieve their academic goals and prepare for careers in healthcare. As a field rooted in service, I want to help students develop compassion and integrity as future healthcare professionals."
Catherine Schuman
In her new role as daytime circulation and operations manager, Catherine Schuman oversees building and furniture maintenance, purchases all of Payson Library's office supplies, and assists with library facilities scheduling. She also manages front desk circulation operations, including supervising the circulation desk student employees and billing for overdue books and equipment—responsibilities she oversaw in her previous role as daytime circulation supervisor.
"In my new role, I look forward to supervising students, overseeing daily operations, managing resources, and helping ensure the department runs smoothly while supporting students in their academic and personal growth."
Kassidy Shreck
After earning her MLIS while serving as Payson's public services evening supervisor, Kassidy Shreck was promoted to research and instruction librarian at Payson Library. As the library liaison for the Communications Division and the Religion and Philosophy Division, Kassidy teaches library instruction sessions and assists students and faculty with research in those programs.
"Since I've started, I have already met with fifteen classes to teach information literacy. I take great joy in serving students and building relationships with faculty members."