Dr. Joseph J. Mika served as a professor for Wayne State’s School of Information Sciences for 25 years, retiring in 2011. He came to Wayne State in 1986 as director of the Library Science Program. Under his direction (1986-1994 and again from 2002-2008), the program grew from five to 17 full-time positions, the student body increased from 79 to more than 600, nine endowed scholarships were established, and the program received accreditation and reaccreditation from the American Library Association (ALA). Mika served as a faculty member from 1994-2002 and from 2008-2011.

Prior to coming to Wayne State, Mika was assistant dean and associate professor of library science at the University of Southern Mississippi. He also held positions as an assistant librarian and assistant professor at Johnson State College (VT), and assistant director of the library at Ohio State University’s Mansfield Regional Campus.

Mika has author published articles on library and information science education, served as editor of the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science (JELIS) and made numerous presentations to library organizations, focusing on customer service, personnel issues, leadership and strategic planning.

Mika’s professional activities included numerous American Library Association committee appointments, and election to the ALA Council as chapter councilor, first from Mississippi and later from Michigan. He served as chair of the Michigan Center for the Book, and was active in Beta Phi Mu, the international library and information science honor society, having served on its board and as president.

In addition to his career in the field of library and information science, Mika is a retired colonel in the United States Army Reserve. He holds a BA, MLS, and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

Upon retirement Mika retired to the Lansing area with his wife, Marianne Hartzell, and both are looking to continuing their love of international travel.