The California Library Association (CLA) has named MS/LIS online (Leep) student Luisa Leija the 2021 recipient of the Begun Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes a graduate student who shows a strong commitment to youth services librarianship in California public libraries. Leija will receive $3,000 and a one-year student membership to CLA.
Leija earned her BA in Chicana/o studies with an emphasis in Xicana art history from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MFA in writing from the California College of the Arts. She has worked in youth development and outside-of-school-day programming for over 17 years.
Leija, who is also a 2020-2021 ALA Spectrum Scholar, would like to become a youth services librarian after earning her MS/LIS degree and continue her work with youth and families.
"I'm so honored to receive this award and be recognized by CLA. I can't wait to continue working with the talented youth professionals in California and be inspired by the brilliance of young people across the state," she said.