School of Information Sciences

Get to know Jerrod Moore, MS student & Mix IT Up! scholar

[image1-right]Jerrod Moore is passionate about connecting information and people. He is applying his corporate experience, which includes work as a strategic resource intern at State Farm, and his coursework in community informatics toward his goals of becoming a library director and increasing diversity in the information professions. As a Mix IT Up! scholar, he focuses on issues of youth advocacy in library and information science through his classes and engagement with community organizations that serve youth.

Why did you decide to pursue an LIS degree?

I chose to pursue a degree in LIS because I find it interesting and rewarding to have the ability to connect people with information.

Why did you choose GSLIS?

I chose GSLIS for two reasons. First, I appreciated the warm embrace and honesty I got from the GSLIS recruiters. Second, GSLIS has the number one library and information science master’s program.

What particular LIS topics interest you most?

I am very interested in learning more about community informatics. I am in the process of taking classes now, and I would like to learn as much as I can while I can.

What surprises you about the field of LIS?

Even though I have been around the field for a few years now, the willingness to collaborate and share information never stops amazing me.

What do you do outside of class?

When I am not in class, I enjoy traveling and trying out new restaurants and bars—and I study, of course.

What career plans or goals do I have?

I would like to become library director of an undergraduate college and improve the diversity in the library profession as much as possible. I believe that in order to best serve our patrons, we must be able to identify with them and make them feel comfortable.

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Undergraduate Research Symposium features iSchool researchers

The iSchool is well represented in the 19th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, which will be held on April 30 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Illini Union. The iSchool is a Gold Sponsor of the symposium, which spotlights undergraduate research through oral and poster presentations, creative performances, and art exhibits.

Vaez Afshar selected as 2026 APT Student Scholar

The Association for Preservation Technology (APT) International has named Informatics PhD student Sepehr Vaez Afshar as a 2026 Student Scholar. Established in 1985, the APT Student Scholarship annually recognizes ten students worldwide whose work advances preservation technology through innovative and impactful approaches.

Sepehr Vaez Afshar

Nguyen receives Critical Language Scholarship

MSLIS student Christine Nguyen has been awarded a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) to study Japanese this summer. She is one of four University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students who received full scholarships to spend 8-10 weeks abroad and study one of 14 critical languages. The program is part of an initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages and cultural skills to enable them to contribute to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

Christine Thuy Minh Nguyen

Spectrum Scholar Spotlight: Nathaniel Allen Pila

Eight iSchool master's students have been named 2025–2026 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association. This "Spectrum Scholar Spotlight" series highlights the School's scholars. MSLIS student Nathaniel Allen Pila earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Mount Holyoke College.

Nathaniel Allen Pila

Get to know Eugene Gurevich, analyst

In his role as analyst at Nicor Gas, Eugene Gurevich (BSIS '23) is making sure the natural gas system that millions of people use stays safe and dependable. He credits the iSchool with teaching him technical skills—such as how to clean, transform, and visualize data—as well as how to communicate effectively with different audiences. Gurevich encourages current students to "explore unconventional career paths."

Eugene Gurevich

School of Information Sciences

501 E. Daniel St.

MC-493

Champaign, IL

61820-6211

Voice: (217) 333-3280

Email: ischool@illinois.edu

Back to top