Community Profiles: Faculty

Overview

Community Profiles: Faculty

Community Profile

Becoming an Instruction Librarian with Michael Stephens 

Dr. Michael Stephens

“Now I like to say it’s a class in humanism and library services masquerading as a technology class because we do a lot with technology, but it really, really is about making connections with people. And how we might help them and serve their needs to live good lives in whatever information environment these folks are in.”

Michael Stephens 
SJSU iSchool Professor 

Community Profile

The Person Behind The Posts: Meet iSchool Social Media Coordinator Sonia Belasco

Sonia Belasco

“These different apps and social media channels evolve, but I think their importance is often underestimated. The truth is that social media is how most people are getting most of their information. And particularly in an online program, where you don’t have that kind of face-to-face interaction as much as you would if you were in person, it’s an opportunity to build community between people and also to connect them to resources and information.”

Sonia Belasco, ‘22 MLIS 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Community Profile

Ellyssa Valenti Kroski Leads the Charge in Gamification and Library AI

Ellyssa Valenti Kroski

“Immersive games are not only very entertaining for patrons, but they are outstanding vehicles for developing critical thinking skills, providing literacy instruction, staff training and team building, as well as outreach and marketing.”

Ellyssa Valenti Kroski MLIS, BA
Librarian/Technologist/Writer/Speaker/Educator
Director of Information Technology, The New York Law Institute
Adjunct Professor, San José State University and Drexel University
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 

Community Profile

Catching Up With Dr. Michele Villagran

“As we continue to work in diverse workplaces, we have to consider how our own understanding, practices and behaviors impact how effective we are in our interactions.”

Michele A.L. Villagran, Ed.D, MSLS, MBA., MDR.
Assistant Professor, SJSU School of Information
CEO and President, CulturalCo, LLC
Alhambra, California

Community Profile

iSchool Professor Dr. Michael Stephens Returns to Australia to Give Closing Keynote at an International Conference

“Any exposure a soon to be information professional or information professional can have to international librarianship issues in global settings is wonderful. If you are lucky enough to go, whether for a formal or informal experience, you will learn so much.”

Dr. Michael Stephens
Associate Professor in the San José State University School of Information
Traverse City, Michigan

Community Profile

iSchool Instructor Expands Her Dedicated Service in the LIS Field

“I think what I really enjoy [about SJSU] is the opportunity to get a feel for the students in a way that keeps me motivated, engaged and current with everything that’s happening now. The students all bring a fresh perspective and dynamic approach to the field.”

Patricia Wong
iSchool Instructor
Santa Monica, California

Community Profile

Scott Brown on Being a Cybrarian

San José State University School of Information alumnus turned instructor Scott Brown on being a cybrarian. From humble beginnings as a page in the Santa Cruz, California, public library, iSchool alumnus and instructor Scott Brown has come a long way in his career.

Community Profile

iSchool Lecturer Patty Wong Transforms Communities, One Grant at a Time

“I should call it community-engaged grant writing. That’s the critical difference between how I teach grant writing and how others do it. I really do want to have a positive impact on a whole community.”

Patty Wong
iSchool Lecturer
County Librarian and Chief Archivist for Yolo County, California