SJSU iSchool’s Celebration of Women’s History Month
Women Empowerment: Leading & Thriving in LIS and Libraries

Webcast March 27, 2025 - 10:00am - 12:00pm Loida Garcia-Febo Shauntee Burns-Simpson Taryn Reiner Kim Dority Julia Warga Maria McCauley Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran

Please join the San José State University School of Information for our symposium on Women’s History Month.

Thursday, March 27, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time

To register for our FREE symposium, sign up today:
https://sjsu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3tUslYZmSrmoMaYw5VFcxA

If you are an SJSU student registered with the Accessible Education Center, please email aec-dhoh@sjsu.edu to arrange accommodations for this event.

AGENDA

Opening Remarks (10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Pacific Time)

Welcome by Dr. Anthony Chow, PhD: Professor and Director, SJSU iSchool
Introduction of the event’s purpose and agenda by Loida Garcia-Febo: SJSU School of Information Health and Wellness Ambassador

Keynote Panel: Empowered Women Balancing Multiple Roles (10:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time)

Introduction of the panel by the moderator, Loida Garcia-Febo: SJSU School of Information Health and Wellness Ambassador
Speakers:
- Shauntee Burns-Simpson: Director Youth & Family Services, District of Columbia Public Library Foundation
- Maria McCauley: Director, Cambridge Public Library
- Julia Warga: University Librarian, John Carroll University
- Dr. Michele A.L. Villagran: Associate Professor, SJSU School of Information
Themes:
- Women Empowerment
- Strategies for Managing Multiple Jobs
- Parenting and Caregiving While Pursuing Higher Education
Q&A session

Session 1: Mental Health, Wellbeing and Empowerment (11:00 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. Pacific Time)

Introduction by the moderator, Loida Garcia-Febo: SJSU School of Information Health and Wellness Ambassador
Speaker: Taryn Reiner: Student Support Specialist for the SJSU iSchool
Themes:
- Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Needs
- Resources for Mental Health and Well-being Support
- Navigating Social Services
Q&A session

Session 2: Empowerment Through Education and Career Advancement (11:25 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Pacific Time)

Introduction by the moderator, Loida Garcia-Febo: SJSU School of Information Health and Wellness Ambassador
Speaker: Kim Dority: Career advisor to the School of Information at San José State
Themes:
- Leveraging Education for Career Growth
- Building a Support Network
- Time management
Q&A session

Closing Remarks (11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time)

Summary of key points from each session by Loida Garcia-Febo: SJSU School of Information Health and Wellness Ambassador
Final words of encouragement and empowerment
Invitation to follow-up events or resources

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Related Profiles

Speaker April 7, 2023

Loida Garcia-Febo
SJSU iSchool Health and Wellness Ambassador

Loida Garcia-Febo is a Puerto Rican American librarian and International Library Consultant expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights with 25 years of experience. President of the American Library Association 2018-2019. Garcia-Febo is worldwide known for her passion about diversity, communities, sustainability, innovation and digital transformation, library workers, library advocacy, wellness for library workers, and new librarians about which she has taught in 45 countries.

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Shauntee Burns-Simpson (MLIS) is the Immediate Past-President of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. She is the Associate Director for the Center of Educators and Schools at the New York Public Library. An ambassador for libraries and youth librarianship, Mrs. Burns-Simpson enjoys connecting people to the public library and its resources. She works closely with at-risk teens and fosters a love of reading & learning with her innovative programs.

Speaker August 14, 2024

Taryn Reiner
Student Support Specialist

Taryn Reiner is the Student Support Specialist for the iSchool. Supporting students in their journey for a masters degree. Her Masters of Arts degree is in Counseling and Bachelors of Arts is in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

As a School Counselor for 20 years in the States of California, New Mexico, and Hawaii. She worked at the elementary, high school, continuation high school, and now college levels.

Taryn’s School Counselor experience includes supporting neurodiverse students, AP Coordinator, and AVID certified counselor.

Speaker March 2, 2017

Kim Dority
Founder and President of Dority & Associates

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Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran
Associate Professor at San José State University School of Information

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran is an associate professor with San José State University School of Information. She also serves as CEO of CulturalCo, LLC consulting in areas of cultural competency, diversity & inclusion, and emotional intelligence. Villagran earned her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership, her Masters of Dispute Resolution, and a Certificate of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University. At the University of North Texas, Dr. Villagran completed her MLS in Legal Informatics and her MBA in Strategic Management.

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SJSU iSchool’s Celebration of Women’s History Month
Women Empowerment: Leading & Thriving in LIS and Libraries

AGENDA

Loida Garcia-Febo
SJSU iSchool Health and Wellness Ambassador

Shauntee Burns-Simpson
Associate Director for the Center of Educators and Schools at the New York Public Library

Taryn Reiner
Student Support Specialist

Kim Dority
Founder and President of Dority & Associates

Julia Warga
University Librarian, John Carroll University

Maria McCauley
Director, Cambridge Public Library

Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran
Associate Professor at San José State University School of Information

Commands

SJSU iSchool’s Celebration of Women’s History Month Women Empowerment: Leading & Thriving in LIS and Libraries

AGENDA

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Commands

SJSU iSchool’s Celebration of Women’s History Month
Women Empowerment: Leading & Thriving in LIS and Libraries