Seven master's students have been named 2018-2019 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. Established in 1997, the Spectrum Scholarship Program promotes diversity among graduate-level students pursuing degrees in library and information studies through ALA-accredited programs. This year, the program received three times as many applications as there were available scholarships. Scholars were selected based on their commitment to equity and inclusion, demonstrated community outreach, commitment to the library profession, academic achievements, and leadership potential.
"Over the past eight years, the iSchool at Illinois has welcomed 45 ALA Spectrum Scholars, which is the highest number among the top ten library and information science programs in the country," said Moises Orozco Villicaña, director of enrollment management. "We are proud of the impressive work of our past scholars that has led to a degree completion rate of one hundred percent, and we look forward to supporting and ensuring the success of the 2018-2019 cohort of ALA Spectrum Scholars."
The Spectrum Scholarship recipients at Illinois are:
- Aicha Azzaoui
- Xena Becker
- Lizette De La Mora
- Ashley Nicole Long
- Cynthia Medrano Torres
- Teresa Helena Moreno
- Jennifer Patino
"We look forward to welcoming these new scholars and helping them enhance their Spectrum experience," said Assistant Professor and MS/LIS Program Director Nicole A. Cooke.
Each scholar receives $5,000 to assist with educational costs as well as more than $1,500 to attend the Spectrum Leadership Institute held during the ALA Annual Conference. In addition, the iSchool matches this diversity scholarship by providing each recipient with a tuition waiver. Illinois residents receive a grant from the Sylvia Murphy Williams Fund, given by the Illinois Library Association. Other benefits include continuing education and professional development opportunities, peer mentoring, and access to a large alumni network.