In the spring 2014 issue, you’ll read about student news and accomplishments, including updates on graduation, awards, and internships. In addition, COL scholars have been busy writing grants, publishing articles, and giving presentations. The newsletter highlights these distinguished individuals who are making a positive difference in local communities and tribal library and information organizations.

Valarie Kingsland is one of eight COL scholars graduating this spring. During the school’s convocation ceremony scheduled for May 17, 2014, Kingsland will accept the prestigious Ken Haycock Award for Professional Promise. She will also address the audience attending the ceremony in San Jose, Calif., as the school’s Outstanding Speaker. After graduation, Kingsland will intern with the Association of Research Libraries’ Career Enhancement Fellowship Program.

In addition, Susan Gehr will receive the Outstanding Thesis Award at the school’s convocation ceremony. Gehr earned her Master of Library and Information Science degree in December 2013, and was the first scholar to virtually present her thesis titled “Breath of Life: Revitalizing California’s Native Languages through Archives,” to the SJSU Student Research Competition panel. “When I was invited to participate in the research competition, I looked forward to discussing my findings, showcasing the distance education capabilities, and representing Circle of Learning,” stated Gehr.

You can learn more about Kingsland, Gehr, and other COL students who are giving back to their communities, by reading the Spring 2014 COL News available on the COL program website.

COL scholars are students in the exclusively online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at the SJSU information school, living and working in their own communities while making impressive contributions to the library and information science field, such as tribal archival and language preservation, academic librarianship, youth services, law librarianship, and medical and health information services and research. Eight COL scholars completed the MLIS program in May 2014, joining five COL graduates who earned their master’s degrees in December 2013.

With the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and in partnership with the American Indian Library Association, the SJSU information school designed the culturally-relevant COL program to support 19 American Indian and Alaska Native information professionals who are committed to serving diverse communities. The COL program concludes in August of 2014.