Professional Service

  • The Dragon Lode. Role: Editorial Board, Reviewer. Editorial Board. 12/2023 - present
  • United States Board on Books for Young People. Role: Board Member. Board of Directors. 01/2023 - present
  • National Council of Teachers of English. Role: Board Member Representative. Representative to USBBY Board of Directors. 01/2023 - present
  • Journal of Literacy Research. Role: Reviewer. Reviewer. 01/2021 - present
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Past-President. 01/01/2021 - 12/31/2022
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's LIterature Assembly. Role: Co-Editor. Co-Editor, CLA Blog. (Conceptualized and started the blog as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic effects on schools and universities.) . 03/2020 - present
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Role: President. President. 11/2018 - 12/2020
  • American Library Association's Association of Library Service to Children. Role: Chair. 2020 Mildred Batchelder Award Committee. 09/2018 - 07/2020
  • United State Board on Books for Young People. Role: Member. Nominating Committee. 01/2018 - 12/2020
  • Association for Middle Level Education (AERA SIG). Role: Reviewer. Reviewer, Research in Middle Level Education Online. 01/2017 - present
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Role: President Elect. President Elect. 11/2016 - 11/2018
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's LIterature Assembly. Role: Member. Endowment Committee. 01/2016 - 12/2023
  • United State Board on Books for Young People. Role: Chair. Student and New Graduates Committee. 01/2016 - 12/2018
  • American Library Association. Role: member. Caldecott Medal 2017 Committee. 01/2016 - 06/2017
  • United States Board on Books for Young People. Role: member. Social Media Committee. 07/2015 - 12/2017
  • International Literacy Association. Role: Chair. ILA Children's and Young Adults' 2016 Book Awards Committee. 07/2015 - 07/2016
  • United States Board on Books for Young People. Conference Volunteer Committee. 07/2015 - 12/2015
  • United States Board on Books for Young People. Role: Board Member. Board Member. 12/2014 - 12/2017
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Role: Chair. Early Career Award. 11/2014 - 12/2016
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Role: committee member. Children's Literature Assembly Anniversary Celebration . 11/2014 - 12/2015
  • United States Board on Books for Young People. Role: Chair. Special Project on Student Member Group. 06/2014 - 12/2017
  • International Reading Association. Role: Chair. IRA Children's and Young Adults' 2015 Book Awards Committee, International Reading Association. 04/2014 - 07/2015
  • United States Board on Books for Young People. Role: Representative. State Representative . 01/2014 - present
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Board Member. 01/2014 - 12/2016
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Role: Co-chair. Master Class 2016 . 01/2014 - 12/2016
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Role: Chair. Research Award Chair. 11/2013 - 11/2016
  • International Reading Association. Role: Chair. IRA Children's and Young Adults' 2014 Book Awards Committee, International Reading Association. 04/2013 - 04/2014
  • United States Board on Books for Young People. Board Member. 01/2013 - 12/2014
  • International Reading Association. Board Member, International Reading Association Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group. 01/2013 - 05/2014
  • International Reading Association. Reviewer, The Reading Teacher. 01/2013 - 12/2013
  • National Council of Teachers of English. Member, Committee on Research in Children's Literature, Children's Literature Assembly. 01/2013 - 12/2013
  • National Council of Teachers of English. Member, Committee on Children's Literature in Teacher Education. 01/2013 - 12/2013
  • National Council of Teachers of English- Children's Literature Assembly. Editorial Board, Journal of Children's Literature, (2012- present). 10/2012 - present
  • International Reading Association. Role: Chair. IRA Children's and Young Adults' 2013 Book Awards Committee, International Reading Association.(2012-2013). 04/2012 - 04/2013
  • International Reading Association. Role: Reviewer. Reviewer, The Reading Teacher. (2011- present.). 01/2012 - 12/2012
  • The Horn Book. Reviewer, The Horn Book Guide, (2001-present). 01/2012 - 12/2012
  • National Reading Conference/Literacy Research Association. Role: Editorial Board. Editorial Board, Journal of Literacy Research, (2004- present) . 01/2012 - 12/2012
  • National Middle School Association. Role: Editorial Board. Editorial Board, Research in Middle Level Education Online (2008- present). 01/2012 - 12/2012
  • National Council of Teachers of English. Role: Member. Committee on Research in Children's Literature, Children's Literature Assembly (2011- present). 01/2012 - 12/2012
  • National Council of Teachers of English. Role: Member. Committee on Children's Literature in Teacher Education, Children's Literature Assembly (2011- present). 01/2012 - 12/2012
  • International Reading Association. Role: Board member. Board Member, International Reading Association Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (2011-2014). 01/2012 - 12/2012
  • International Reading Association. Role: Member. IRA Children's and Young Adults' 2012 Book Awards Committee, International Reading Association. 04/2011 - 12/2012
  • International Reading Association. Role: Board Member. Board Member, International Reading Association Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (2011-2014). 01/2011 - 12/2011
  • National Council of Teachers of English. Role: member. Committee on Children's Literature in Teacher Education, Children's Literature Assembly (2011- present). 01/2011 - 12/2011
  • The Horn Book. Role: Reviewer. Reviewer, The Horn Book Guide, (2001-present). 01/2011 - 12/2011
  • National Middle School Association. Role: Editorial Board. Editorial Board, Research in Middle Level Education Online (2008- present). 01/2011 - 12/2011
  • National Council of Teachers of English. Role: member. Committee on Research in Children's Literature, Children's Literature Assembly (2011- present). 01/2011 - 12/2011
  • International Reading Association. Role: Committee member. IRA Children's and Young Adults' 2011 Book Awards Committee, International Reading Association. (2010-11.). 04/2010 - 12/2010
  • International Reading Association. Role: committee member. IRA Children's and Young Adults' 2010 Book Awards Committee, International Reading Association. (2009-10.). 04/2009 - 12/2010
  • American Psychological Association. Role: reviewer. Journal of Educational Psychology . 01/2009 - 12/2011
  • University Council for Educational Administration. Role: reviewer. Educational Administration Quarterly (2009-2010). 01/2009 - 12/2009
  • National Middle School Association. Role: editorial board. Editorial Board, Research in Middle Level Education Online. 01/2008 - present
  • American Library Association. Role: committee member. 2010 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Committee, American Library Association . 01/2008 - 12/2010
  • International Reading Association. Role: editorial board. Editorial Board, The Reading Teacher. 01/2006 - 12/2011
  • American Educational Research Association. Role: Reviewer. Reviewer, American Educational Research Journal. 01/2006 - 12/2011
  • National Reading Conference. Role: State representative. Field Council State Representative (Utah), National Reading Conference. 01/2006 - 12/2008
  • National Reading Conference/Literacy Research Association. Editorial Board, Journal of Literacy Research . 01/2004 - present
  • International Reading Association. Role: Committee member. Children’s Book Council/International Reading Association Liaison Steering Committee, International Reading Association. 01/2004 - 12/2008
  • The Horn Book. Role: Reviewer. Reviewer, The Horn Book Guide. 01/2004 - 12/2004
  • International Reading Association. Role: reviewer. Reviewer, International Reading Association Books Division. 01/2002 - 12/2003

Internal Service

  • Elementary Education Admissions Committee. Reviewer, Member, 12/2023 - 12/2024. College service.
  • College Steering Committee for Undergraduate Research. Member, 09/2023 - 12/2024. College service.
  • College of Education Executive Committee. Chair-Elect, 08/2023 - 07/2024. College service.
  • University of Utah Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Advisory Council. member of council, 09/2022 - 07/2024. University service.
  • Banned Books Week Series of Talks(Marriott LIbrary). panelist and speaker, 09/2022 - 09/2022. University service.
  • Banned Books Week (Marriott LIbrary). Feature Speaker, 06/2019 - 09/2019. University service.
  • Department of Educational Psychology Undergraduate Major Committee. committee member, 01/2019 - 12/2020. Department service.
  • Department of Educational Psychology Search Committee, Reading and Literacy. committee member, 01/2019 - 02/2020. Department service.
  • Academic Senate. College of Education Representative, 07/2017 - 06/2020. University service.
  • College of Education Executive Council. Member, 07/2017 - 06/2020. College service.
  • Banned Books Week (Marriott Library Event). Featured Speaker, 06/2017 - 09/2017. University service.
  • The World of Children's Literature Lecture Series (University Professorship 2016-18) Eight Lecture Events from Fall 2016-Spring 2018. Organizer and Co-Chair, 08/2016 - 05/2018. University service.
  • Committee on Teaching Excellence. member, 09/2015 - 05/2016. College service.
  • Elementary Education Honors Program Committee. Member, 08/2015 - present. College service.
  • University libraries. Representative, 01/2012 - 08/2014. Department service.
  • Undergraduate Council. College of Education representative, 08/2011 - 08/2014. University service.
  • College Executive Council. Member, 08/2011 - 08/2014. College service.
  • FACTE committee. Chair, 08/2011 - 05/2012. College service.
  • Reading and Literacy Program Director. 07/2011 - 06/2012. Department service.
  • Teaching/Instruction Faculty Team, College Action Plan. 09/2010 - 01/2011. College service.
  • SAC Faculty Advisor. Faculty advisor, 08/2009 - 12/2009. Department service.
  • Elementary Education Honors Program. Program Advisor, 06/2009 - 06/2014. College service.
  • University of Utah Committee on Part-time Tenure. committee member, 01/2008 - 05/2011. University service.
  • University of Utah Reading and Literacy Center. Center associate, 01/2004 - 12/2010. University service.

Community Partnership

  • READ-U Program. With Salt Lake City School District. 01/2022 - 12/2024
  • With Salt Lake City Public Libraries. “Resources for Teachers: Salt Lake City Public Library Booklists for Utah Core Standards and Common Core State Standards.” . 01/2013 - 12/2013

Outreach

  • Tae Keller Author/Illustrator In-Person Visits. (1) Lead Organizer. “Tae Keller: A Read-U Author Visit,” March 8, 2024. Mountain View Elementary School, Salt Lake City School District. (2) Lead Organizer. “Tae Keller: A Read-U Author Visit,” March 8, 2024. Thomas Jefferson Junior High School, Granite School District, with additional bussed 6th grade students from Granite Park Junior High School. Also broadcast over Zoom to other Utah schools and University of Utah education students. 09/2023 - 04/2024
  • Liang, L.A. and *Nelson, L. (December, 2023). “Reading with PURPOSE: Working Together to Select and Sequence Texts to Support Students’ Critical Understanding.” Granite School District Media Specialists Working Group. 08/2023 - 12/2023
  • Liang, L.A. (October, 2023). “The PURPOSEful Framework for Selecting Texts.” Library Media Specialist Endorsement Cohort, Granite School District, Salt Lake City, UT. 08/2023 - 12/2023
  • Liang, L.A. (November, 2023). “Reading with PURPOSE: Selecting and Sequencing Texts to Support Critical Understanding.” Utah State Board of Education Secondary Language Arts. 08/2023 - 12/2023
  • Elly Swartz Author/Illustrator Virtual Visit. (1) Lead Organizer. “Elly Swartz: A Read-U Virtual Author Visit,” September 11, 2023. For 6th grade classrooms in Granite School Districts and 5th grade classrooms in Alpine School District, as well as University of Utah education students. 07/2023 - 10/2023
  • Raul the III Author/Illustrator In-Person Visits. (1) Co-Lead Organizer. “An Evening with Raul the III,” April 4, 2023. College of Education. For University of Utah community and local community. (2) Co-Lead Organizer. “Raul the III Early Readers” April 4, 2023. Salt Lake City School District. Held at local elementary school and broadcast via Zoom to other Utah schools. (3) Co-Lead Organizer. “Raul the III Graphic Novels” April 4, 2023. Salt Lake City School District. Held at local elementary school and broadcast via Zoom to other Utah schools. 11/2022 - 06/2023
  • Lisa Yee Author Virtual Visits. (1) Lead Organizer. “Lisa Yee and Maizy Chen’s Last Chance.” April 20, 2022. For University of Utah community, as well as local community. (2) Lead Organizer. “Lisa Yee in the Classroom.” April 20, 2022. For 4th- 7th grade classrooms in Salt Lake City, Granite, and Alpine School Districts. 04/20/2022 - 04/20/2022
  • I.W. Gregorio Author Virtual Visit. (1) Lead Organizer. “When Words Heal.” March 23, 2022. For University of Utah community, as well as local community. 03/23/2022 - 03/23/2022
  • "Roger Mello and Junko Yokota: International Literature" Webinar and Live Q & A for the University of Utah community and the larger FLAS community and education community. 08/2020 - 05/2021
  • "Roger Mello In Portuguese": Virtual author visit for Utah Dual Language Immersion Programs state-wide. 08/2020 - 03/2021
  • Liang, L.A. (September, 2019). “Exploring Picturebooks.” School District Media Specialists, Alpine School District, Alpine, UT. 09/2019 - 09/2019
  • Liang, L.A. (January, 2019). “Global children’s literature in your elementary school library: Selecting and promoting the best available.” Grades 7-12 School Media Specialists, Jordan School District, and the Salt Lake County Public Library System, West Jordan, UT. 01/2019 - 01/2019
  • Professional Workshop: Liang, L.A. (December, 2018). “Global children’s literature in your elementary school library: Selecting and promoting the best available.” Grades 7-12 School Media Specialists, Canyons School District, and the Salt Lake County Library Public System, West Jordan, UT. 11/2018 - 12/2018
  • Professional Workshop: Liang, L.A. (November, 2018). “Global children’s literature in your library: Selecting and promoting the best available.” The Salt Lake City Public Library System, Salt Lake City, UT. 10/2018 - 11/2018
  • Professional Workshop: Liang, L.A. (October, 2018). “Global children’s literature in your middle and high school library: Selecting and promoting the best available.” Grades 7-12 School Media Specialists, Jordan School District, and the Salt Lake County Public Library System, West Jordan, UT. 09/2018 - 10/2018
  • Professional Workshop: Liang, L.A. (September, 2018). “Global children’s literature in your middle and high school library: Selecting and promoting the best available.” Grades 7-12 School Media Specialists, Canyons School District, and the Salt Lake County Library Public System, West Jordan, UT. 08/2018 - 09/2018
  • Meadowlark Elementary School. (Salt Lake City Public Title 1 Elementary.) Jacqueline Woodson author visit. January 23, 2018. 01/2018 - 02/2018
  • McGillis School. (Salt Lake City Private K-8.) “Editing Children’s Books.” Class taught to McGillis Fifth Grades, April, 2017. 04/2017 - 04/2017
  • Wasatch Elementary School. (Salt Lake City Public Elementary.) Gita Varadarajan author visit. April 3, 2017. 04/2017 - 04/2017
  • Rose Park Elementary School. (Salt Lake City Public Title 1 Elementary.) Gita Varadarajan writing workshop. April 3, 2017. 04/2017 - 04/2017
  • McGillis School. (Salt Lake City Private K-8.) Dr. Ruth Behar and Nancy Paulsen author and editor visit. April 18, 2017. 04/2017 - 04/2017
  • West High School. (Salt Lake City Public High School.) Dr. Ruth Behar and Nancy Paulsen author and editor visit. April 18, 2017. 04/2017 - 04/2017
  • Meadowlark Elementary School. (Salt Lake City Public Title 1 Elementary.) Dr. Ruth Behar and Nancy Paulsen author and editor visit. April 18, 2017. 04/2017 - 04/2017
  • Utah Foster Care. (March, 2017.) Selecting children’s literature for your family. Evening program. 03/2017 - 03/2017
  • Salt Lake Tribune and The King’s English Bookshop. (February, 2017.) Newbery Night: Panel on the Newbery Award and Children’s Books. 02/2017 - 02/2017
  • Mountainview Elementary School. (Salt Lake City Public Title 1 Elementary.) Duncan Tonatiuh teacher workshop. September 20, 2016. 09/2016 - 09/2016

Honors & Awards

  • Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award for the College of Education. University of Utah, 04/2024
  • Linda Rief Voices from the Middle Award Honorable Mention. National Council of Teachers of English, 11/2022
  • Dina Feitelson Research Award. International Literacy Association, 07/2022
  • University Professorship Award (2016-18). University of Utah, 01/2017
  • Early Career Teaching Award. University of Utah, 04/2010
  • College of Education Faculty Teaching Award. College of Education University of Utah, 05/08/2009
  • College of Education Outstanding Teaching Award . 04/2009

In the Media

  • Front page of Salt Lake Tribune, and continuing 2-page spread in the first section pages A6-A7 Article about Book Banning featuring my comments . 10/22/2023.
  • Local Channel Fox 13 News interview about Utah book bannings. 09/2022.
  • Local Channel Fox 13 News interview about Utah book bannings. 11/19/2021.
  • Local Channel 4 5:00 pm News Featured Interview as well as in digital news: https://www.abc4.com/news/digital-exclusives/annual-book-banning-event-condemns-censorship-and-reminds-public-of-freedom/ . 09/19/2019. https://www.abc4.com/news/digital-exclusives/annua...
  • Article about the banned books event at the Marriott Library with an interview from me: https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2019/09/22/censorship-is-not-a-viewpoint-marriott-library-hosts-a-banned-books-event/ . 09/19/2019. https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2019/09/22/censorsh...
  • Channel 4 News at 5pm, 6 pm and 10 pm: I was interviewed about banned books as part of the Banned Books Week event at the Marriott Library. Snippets from my introduction speech as featured speaker were also played. 09/26/2017. http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/banning-c...
  • Fox 13 News at 5pm, 6 pm and 10 pm: I was interviewed about banned books as part of the Banned Books Week event at the Marriott Library. Snippets from my introduction speech as featured speaker were also played. 09/26/2017.
  • ALA Cognotes Highlights. (Newspaper handed out to all ALA Annual Conference attendees, and featured online at the ALA website.) Page 13 Photo of the Caldecott Banquet featuring me with Caldecott Honor illustrator Brendan Wenzel and his wife. 06/2017. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/hall-erickson/alac...
  • The Salt Lake Tribune featured a front page article about children's books, their upcoming Newbery NIght event, and the Caldecott medal. The article started on the front page with a large photo of me and many Caldecott submitted books. 02/20/2017. http://www.archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=49181...
  • Utah Public Radio- Utah Access show. Feb 9, 2017. Discussing Children's Books and the Caldecott Medal. 02/09/2017. http://upr.org/post/what-are-you-reading-childrens...
  • Salt Lake City Tribune: I was interviewed and quoted in an article about young adult literature and the Tribune's monthly book club pick of two books from YA author Sara Zarr. 02/23/2014.
  • KSL News at 6 pm and 10 pm: I was interviewed on the KSL news channel about the use of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye in local high schools and about the Common Core State Standards. 09/2013.