Lauren Ochs joined the iSchool in July as school librarian licensure coordinator. Her new duties include advising students about coursework and field experiences leading to school library licensure and/or endorsement; placing, supervising, and evaluating students in schools around the state in field experiences, such as practicum and student teaching; and aligning the school librarian licensure program with state and national standards.

Weslee Walton joined the iSchool in June as associate director of finance and business operations. In his new role, he will oversee the School's financial operations and guide associate and assistant deans and directors in the development of their budgets by providing specialized analysis and reports.

Adrienne Gulley joined the iSchool in June as assistant director of recruitment and admissions. In this position, she will support recruitment for all degree programs in the School, with an emphasis on the undergraduate program.

The iSchool hosted a 130th anniversary celebration on June 25 at the American Writers Museum in Chicago. The event, which was held in conjunction with the American Library Association Annual Conference, included a keynote address and presentations, along with time for guests to mingle and explore the museum.

Professor Catherine Blake has been named associate dean for academic affairs. In this new role, she provides leadership and oversight for academic programs, including program development, curriculum coordination, and continuous improvement of educational experiences.

Hanna Jeter (MSLIS '15) was an elementary school librarian who had just made the jump to middle school when she learned she would be teaching a class on digital citizenship and media literacy.

Hope Bickers joined the iSchool on May 22 as an office manager. In her new role, she will provide administrative support for the associate dean for academic affairs and program directors.

iSchool undergraduates have the opportunity to explore various career pathways and meet potential employers through a unique course, IS 200 CE: Career Exploration and Development (formerly IS 199 EE: iSchool Explore, Engage, Develop). This one-credit course focuses on professional development and career exploration by connecting students with industry representatives, alumni, current students, faculty, and staff. It provides an opportunity for students to build a professional network and teaches them the skills to do so through course assignments, informal interview and career fair presentations, and other professional workshops.

For their tireless efforts to support academic freedom, New College of Florida faculty, librarians, student reporters of The Catalyst, and the Defend New College and Save New College student and alumni organizations have collectively been named the 2022 recipient of the Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award. The award is given annually by the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and cosponsored by Sage, a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources.

The Informatics Program’s Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab hosted over 200 visitors of all ages for an open house on April 16. The event was held during the Boneyard Arts Festival, an annual three-day event hosted by 40 North | 88 West that showcases local artists, businesses, and organizations in the Champaign-Urbana community. The iSchool oversees Informatics Programs for the University.