The Bridging Knowledge Scholarship has served as a transformative experience for Indigenous scholars pursuing careers in the library and information science field. For scholarship recipients Laisee Allery, Genasis Kalawe, and Alyssa Hanna, the scholarship program provided financial support to earn a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from San José State University and has opened doors to professional growth, networking, and opportunities that have profoundly influenced their career trajectories.

Laisee Allery, a tribal librarian, emphasized how the program expanded her network beyond her immediate community. “Through it, I connected with professionals at the North Dakota State Library, something I hadn’t done before. These connections led me to apply for—and receive—a grant focused on plants as medicine, which directly benefits my library and community.” The scholarship also strengthened her grant-writing skills, allowing her to secure multiple small grants. “Learning about funding opportunities, including those from the National Institutes of Health, opened new doors for me professionally.”

Beyond funding, Allery found exposure to emerging library technologies and critical issues invaluable. “Through my coursework and networking opportunities, I’ve gained insight into digital preservation, data management, and accessibility initiatives, all of which are essential for the future of libraries—especially in tribal communities.” Studying for her MLIS degree reinforced her career choice. “This experience has solidified my passion for tribal librarianship and community engagement, and I plan to continue leveraging my skills to expand resources, secure funding, and uplift Indigenous knowledge through library initiatives. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has provided and excited for what’s ahead!”

For Genasis Kalawe, the scholarship marked a major turning point in both her academic and professional journey. “When I first heard of the BK program, I was applying for an internship called the Hōʻili Hoʻoilina Training Program, which was created in collaboration with the Molokaʻi Library Services Cadre in 2021. Its goal was to involve Molokaʻi residents in managing records, helping build a shared sense of community ownership and responsibility for the island’s cultural resources.” Although she had no experience in archives or libraries, her background in Hawaiian studies and language made the opportunity a natural fit. “The timing for this was impeccable, and I knew that applying for SJSUʻs MLIS program would not only benefit myself but also my community in ensuring our valuable records and information are properly cared for and preserved.”

The scholarship also supported Kalawe’s personal and professional growth. “After getting accepted into this scholarship, it felt that I was stepping into a new part of my life and a new responsibility (and privilege) centered around community and preservation.” Attending conferences such as ATALM and IILF broadened her understanding of Indigenous librarianship. “The BK scholarship also provided me with funding to travel to a couple of conferences where I was able to meet with other BK recipients and build a better understanding of what initiatives, projects, and overall work is going on in the libraries and archives across the world.”

Looking forward, Kalawe hopes to continue preserving her community’s cultural heritage. “After the Hōʻili Hoʻoilina Training Program, I continued with the preservation project and helped to develop the Moaʻe Molokaʻi Digital Repository for our community, by our community. I transitioned to a digital technician after being an intern and am hoping to continue on this endeavor as Molokaʻis own archivist. Although this project is fully grant-funded, I have goals to help Molokaʻi establish an archive that is specifically for the island’s rich cultural heritage.”

Alyssa Hanna says receiving the Bridging Knowledge Scholarship was life-changing. “I remember when I got a random email from SJSU about the scholarship and almost immediately knew that if I did not take a chance on this opportunity, I would regret it.” Facing financial constraints, she saw no option but student loans until the scholarship came through just in time. “I was even two days away from going to get a loan when my acceptance into the Bridging Knowledge program was confirmed. When I got the email from the Bridging Knowledge Scholarship stating that they wanted to offer me the scholarship, I ran from my room straight to my parents, and as I told them the news, I cried. I had truly felt like I had been given a gift that would change my life.”

Beyond financial relief, the program introduced Hanna to the Indigenous librarianship space, where she found community and confidence. “Finding this community helped me realize that there was a much larger space than I thought for Indigenous librarianship. The support of the Bridging Knowledge Scholarship program has given me so much more than I ever thought it would. I gained confidence in myself and my identity as an Indigenous woman, as well as a confidence in talking about Indigenous issues in relation to the LIS field.”

Hanna’s experience extended beyond master’s degree program coursework. “This was especially true during my summer 2024 internship where I worked with the curator of the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum/Botanical Garden. I was brought on as a curatorial intern, where I helped the curator work on research for her 2025 exhibit on Scent. With collaboration from the curator, I worked on research on White Sage, which is a sacred plant for Native American/Indigenous tribes.” She also had the opportunity to present her work through a poster presentation at the SJSU iSchool’s reception during the California Library Association Conference. “This gave me the opportunity to meet professionals in the field and spread awareness about Indigenous culture and issues.”

Although her career aspirations lean toward archival work, with a particular dream of working for Walt Disney Archives, Hanna acknowledges that her Indigenous identity remains a central part of her professional journey. “While my main career goals may not lean toward Indigenous librarianship, I am still an Indigenous librarian, and this in itself is a product of the Bridging Knowledge program. I am excited for whatever my future may bring, and I hope that I will be able to make even the smallest difference for others.”

Allery, Kalawe, and Hanna graduated with their master’s degrees in December 2024, bringing the total number of Bridging Knowledge Scholarship students to have earned their MLIS degree to seven out of the 15 total who were accepted to the program. Six more scholarship students are completing the MLIS program’s culminating e-Portfolio project during the spring 2025 semester, and the program concludes at the beginning of August 2025. The scholarship program’s impact on its scholars has been profound, fostering professional growth, community engagement, and a commitment to preserving Indigenous knowledge for future generations.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services RE-250081-OLS-21.