School of Information Sciences

Seven iSchool students named 2018-2019 ALA Spectrum Scholars

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.

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Student Spotlight: Daria Meshcheriakova

BSIS student Daria Meshcheriakova came to the iSchool with intention. Originally from Russia, where she lived for 17 years, Meshcheriakova moved to Chicago and attended Harold Washington Community College before transferring to the University of Illinois. Among potential universities, Illinois proved to be the best fit.

Daria Meshcheriakova

iSchool researchers present at ILA 2025

School faculty, staff, and students will present their research at the 2025 Illinois Library Association (ILA) Annual Conference, which will be held on October 14–16 in Rosemont. The theme of this year's conference is "You Belong Here."

Craig named Illinois Library Luminary

Anne Craig, iSchool adjunct lecturer and senior director of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI), has been inducted as an Illinois Library Luminary. The Illinois Library Luminary program, an initiative of the Illinois Library Association (ILA), recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to Illinois libraries.

Anne Craig

Get to know Jade Carthans, BSIS student

Jade Carthans is interested in how human-centered design, machine learning, and data analytics can come together to solve critical problems that impact organizations and individuals. She gained firsthand experience in these areas through internships with Microsoft and State Farm.

Jade Carthans

School of Information Sciences

501 E. Daniel St.

MC-493

Champaign, IL

61820-6211

Voice: (217) 333-3280

Fax: (217) 244-3302

Email: ischool@illinois.edu

Back to top