Published: June 12, 2025 by Gabe Farmer

Our San José State University student group, American Library Association Student Chapter (ALASC) has once again earned a place in the spotlight. The group has been named the Student Chapter of the Year for 2025 by the ALA New Members Round Table (NMRT). This marks the second consecutive year and the seventh time overall that ALASC has claimed this prestigious honor, solidifying its place as a standout community within the field of library and information science.

This year’s award, which will be formally presented at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, recognizes the chapter’s exceptional commitment to member engagement, professional development and advocacy for the library profession. According to the NMRT, the committee was impressed by ALASC’s vibrant and active presence, regular meetings and diverse communication channels like YouTube, Linktree and social media platforms.

Fellow Students Behind the Achievement

Much of ALASC’s success can be credited to its dedicated Executive Committee, whose members juggle their coursework, their careers and their volunteer leadership roles while maintaining a commitment to librarianship. Current ALASC Chair Cat Tang has been a driving force behind this momentum. Cat found her passion for librarianship after a year working in libraries, eventually deciding to enroll in the iSchool’s MLIS program. She first joined ALASC as a social media assistant, moved up to events coordinator and is now the chapter’s chair. Reflecting on her journey, Cat emphasizes the importance of building community. “I like getting involved,” she says. “That’s the big pull of going back to school. You have access to a lot of resources and ways to connect with people that you don’t always have once you leave.”

Cat has also taken her leadership skills beyond ALASC, serving as vice chair for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) iSchool Student Group, where she champions the importance of diverse voices in librarianship. Her story is an example of how student involvement can open doors and deepen one’s connection to the profession. Learn more about Cat’s journey here: Building Connection and Confidence Through Student Groups.

Jackie Roussin, another dedicated executive team member, has found her passion as a children’s programming librarian in Massachusetts. Like many career changers, Jackie’s path to librarianship was not straightforward. A former educator, she discovered her love for library work in 2022 and now brings her background in teaching to her role, creating engaging programs for young learners. From storytimes to STEM clubs, Jackie’s work has made a lasting impact on her community. You can read more about Jackie’s inspiring career change and her advice for balancing work and graduate studies here: From Education to Libraries: Jackie’s Journey of Career Transition and Balance.

Other key figures include Eduardo (Eddie) Lagos, ALASC Vice Chair, who also serves as ASIS&T Programming Director and works as a library technician in San Bernardino County as well as Rebecca Natali, the chapter’s Social Media Manager, who balances her roles as an iSchool Student Assistant, First Generation Student Group Webmaster and Library of Congress intern.

Become a Part of the Award-Winning Chapter

Being part of a student group like ALASC can be a transformative experience, offering leadership opportunities, professional networking and a chance to contribute to the library community. It’s also a way to make the most of your time in an online program, turning remote learning into a more connected and meaningful journey. As Cat notes, “Getting involved in student leadership is the best way to build community.” Not to mention, joining the executive team could be a great resume builder!

Interested in being part of this award-winning chapter? Visit the ALASC website to learn more about their mission, upcoming events and how you can get involved.

And if you’re looking for even more ways to connect, check out some of the other incredible student groups active at the iSchool. From the First Generation Student Group to the Cyber Intelligence & Security Club, there’s something for everyone. Learn more about your options in this recent blog post: Spotlight on iSchool Student Organizations.

Congratulations to the entire ALASC team on this well-deserved recognition. Here’s to another year of inspiring leadership and meaningful impact!