News: Alumni
Alumna Wins NJLA Innovative Program Award for International Pen Pal Club
Global Exchange Facilitated by Skills Gained in MLIS Online Program
Westwood, N.J. Children’s Librarian Denise Lester was both delighted and surprised when she learned that she’d been honored by the New Jersey Library Association for an ingenious pen pal program.
A recent alumna of the School of Information at San José State University, Lester was gratified to have her hard work in organizing an international exchange recognized; however last-minute technical issues while uploading her submission had left her unsure whether or not she’d made the deadline.
‘Transformational Learning Space’ Project Wins Grant Funding
New Digital Humanities Center in King Library Set to Open in 2026
Two alumnae of the School of Information at San José State University, who are also current faculty members, helped win the university a major grant to fund a Digital Humanities Center at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Ann Agee, interim dean for the King Library, and Christina Mune, associate dean of innovation and resource management for the King Library, are co-directors of the project with Shannon Miller, dean of the College of Humanities.
Two iSchool Alumnae are Movin’ and Shakin’ the Future of Libraries
Congratulations to the 2021 Library Journal Movers and Shakers
This June, two alumnae of the School of Information at San José State University joined the prestigious ranks of Library Journal’s Movers and Shakers. The 2021 list named Christina Jupp Grove, ’12 MLIS, as an Advocate; and Shawna Sherman, ’07 MLIS, as a Change Agent. They are in good company with 44 other librarians, library workers, volunteers and vendors from across the country who were recognized for their leadership, innovation and for “moving the library field forward as a profession.”
iSchool Alumna Wins 2021 Gail Schlachter Memorial Research Grant
Award's Connections to iSchool Make It 'Especially Meaningful'
Dr. Rachel Ivy Clarke, an alumna of the Master of Library and Information Science program at the San José State University School of Information, was recently awarded the Gail Schlachter Memorial Research Grant for her project “The Role of Repertoire in Library Reference Interactions.” The $5,000 grant provides support to “an individual or collaborative group conducting research into reference or user services whose research projects aim to better understand or answer key questions related to connecting people to resources, information services, and collections.”
Course Assignment Leads to Dream Library Job
Recent Grad’s Resume ‘Impressive’ Says Supervisor
Melissa Taylor, a recent graduate of the Master of Library and Information Science program at the San José State University School of Information, took a class in library marketing during her final semester and used a course assignment to market herself into a new job.
Three iSchool Alumni Recognized for Outstanding Public Service with I Love My Librarian Award
On January 23 the American Library Association honored the 2021 winners of its prestigious I Love My Librarian award in a virtual ceremony that was part of the ALA’s entirely virtual Midwinter Meeting. Three of the 10 winners are alumni of the Master of Library and Information Science program at the San José State University School of Information.
iSchool Alumni Score Coveted Seats on CLA Board of Directors
2020 CLA Election Results
Four alumni of the San José State University School of Information were elected to seats on the California Library Association Board of Directors in the 2020 CLA election, held on November 2, 2020. Mark Fink, Dolly Goyal, Yolande Wilburn, and Beatriz Preciado will take office this month, and will be honored at the annual CLA membership meeting being held virtually on November 16, 2020.
REFORMA Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grant Recipients Celebrate Storytelling and Latino Culture
The art of storytelling is on full display with support from the Noche de Cuentos Mini-Grants awarded by REFORMA. The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking recently announced that two of the seven grant recipients for 2020 are from the San José State University School of Information.
Two Alumni Awarded 2020 REFORMA Dia Mini-Grants for Library Programs that Celebrate Latino Culture
San José State University School of Information is pleased to announce that two alumni were awarded REFORMA Día Mini-Grants to support new or existing Día programs that celebrate Latino culture. David Lopez and Gina Rosabal were among the five winners of REFORMA Día Mini-Grants, who were selected based on original submissions that demonstrated their creativity, level of community involvement, and showcase of Latinx literature and culture.
Two iSchool Alumni Honored with Awards for Stellar Professional Achievements
The Special Libraries Association recently recognized 11 members with awards, two of whom earned their Master of Library and Information Science degree from the School of Information at San José State University. The SLA is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners in business, government, academic, and other “specialized” settings.
iSchool Alumna and Faculty Member Named 2020 Library Journal Movers and Shakers
The highly anticipated annual roster of Movers and Shakers in the information profession published by Library Journal is out, and two of them have ties to the San José State University School of Information. Anna Avalos, a 2007 alumna of the Master of Library and Information Science program, and Maggie Murphy, a faculty member, are among the distinguished group of award winners that has grown to nearly 1,000 since its launch in 2002.
Dr. Niloufar Sarraf Receives QUT Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award, Advancing Developments in NeuroInformation Science
Dr. Niloufar Sarraf, the 15th student to graduate from the San José State University-Queensland University of Technology Gateway PhD program, received the QUT Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award for her dissertation, “Mapping the Neural Activities and Affective Dimensions of the ISP Model: Correlates in the Search for Exploration, Formulation, and Collection Stage.” This prestigious award was given in recognition of Sarraf’s outstanding contribution and standard of excellence demonstrated in higher degree research practice.
iSchool Students and Alumni Showcase Community Impact at 2019 CLA Poster Session
Poster Session Builds Presentation Skills, Confidence and Network
The San José State University School of Information sponsored its fourth community poster session featuring alumni and student presenters during the California Library Association’s annual conference, held in October 2019. A gallery of the poster presentations from the CLA session and past sessions highlights the important work iSchool alumni and students are doing in their communities.
iSchool Alumni, Student Chosen for 2020 ALA Emerging Leaders Program
Two alumni and one student from the San José State University School of Information are among the 50 people selected by the American Library Association to participate in its Emerging Leaders Program in 2020.
SJSU Alumna Wins ALA’s I Love My Librarian Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Librarianship
Congratulations to Maria Papanastassiou!
San José State University alumna Maria Papanastassiou, who completed her Master of Library and Information Science degree in 2013, is the latest SJSU Spartan to win the I Love My Librarian Award, conferred annually by the American Library Association. The Kids’ World Assistant Manager at Arlington Heights (Ill.) Memorial Library, Papanastassiou was one of 10 winners announced on December 10, 2019, which included three academic, three public, and four school librarians.
iSchool Alumnae and Student Sweep CLA 2019 Election
The California Library Association Board of Directors will be Spartan strong with San José State University alumnae and a student winning seats in the 2019 CLA elections that were held on October 4, 2019. Jayanti Addleman, Brandy Buenafe, Jeanette Contreras, and Mayra Fuentes will take office on Saturday, October 26, 2019, and be honored at the annual CLA conference in Pasadena.
School of Information Researchers Recognized with Literati Awards for Outstanding Research Papers
Emerald Publishing’s 26th Annual Literati Awards recognized articles authored by two San José State University professors and one alumna: Michelle Chen, associate professor at the School of Information; Patricia Franks, professor at the School of Information; and Emily Coyne, graduate of the School of Information’s Master of Library and Information Science program.
Alumni, Students Present at Third iSchool Community Poster Session during ALA Conference
The San José State University School of Information sponsored a community poster session featuring alumni and student speakers during the American Library Association’s annual conference held in June 2019. The poster session was the first time many of participants presented at a conference.
iSchool Alumnus, Lecturer Wins ‘40 Under 40′ Award for Library Advocacy
San José State University School of Information alumnus and lecturer, Patrick “PC” Sweeney, was recognized as a “40 Under 40” award winner by the American Association of Political Consultants.
iSchool Alumna Receives ‘Huge Honor’ by National Publication
2019 Library Journal Mover & Shaker
A graduate of the San José State University School of Information was recently named a 2019 “Mover & Shaker” Advocate by Library Journal. The prestigious distinction recognizes how “powerful” librarians are to the information profession and the communities they serve.