Langston receives DFI Fellowship

William Langston
William Langston

As he works toward his PhD in information sciences, William Langston is receiving financial support through the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program (DFI). The program provides competitive need-based financial awards to underrepresented students in the state of Illinois who are interested in becoming full-time tenure-track faculty and staff at colleges and universities in Illinois.

"I applied for the program because I recognize the value in diversifying a strong pool of candidates for faculty positions in higher education," said Langston, whose professional experience includes serving as an academic librarian at three universities. "Operating in an interdisciplinary field such as LIS, you get a chance to work across the table with faculty and staff in STEM, humanities, community outreach, and special initiatives and parts of administration. The need to diversify these interactions and the parties in-between is essential toward developing stronger relations with students and future colleagues."

Langston earned his MS/LIS from the iSchool, MBA and MPA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and BA in corporate communication from Northern Illinois University. His research focuses on workforce development and tech talent. Langston is also interested in urban planning and would relish the opportunity to hold a position at the Obama Foundation in the future.

"While working at a city-wide initiative like the Obama Foundation is a goal, I recognize that my strengths and interests occur in the nontraditional classroom," he said. "I like to engage minds that dare to collaborate and experiment, and I know how my value can translate to the classroom environment."

William Langston shares his research focus and career goals and offers advice to prospective PhD students.

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Spectrum Scholar Spotlight: Guadalupe Castillo

Twelve iSchool master's students were named 2024–2025 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. This "Spectrum Scholar Spotlight" series highlights the School's scholars. MSLIS student Guadalupe Castillo earned her BA in international studies and Spanish and Latin American literature from the University of California, San Diego.

Guadalupe Castillo

iSchool researchers to present at CHI 2025

iSchool faculty and students will present their research at the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2025), which will be held from April 26 to May 1 in Yokohama, Japan. 

Kemboi receives the Research and Advocacy Social Justice Award

PhD student Gladys Kemboi has received the 2025 Research and Advocacy Social Justice Award from the Office of Diversity & Social Justice Education in the Office of Student Affairs. She was presented with the award at the Social Justice Awards Ceremony, which was held on April 8 in the Illini Union. The annual event honors and celebrates the work and dedication of University of Illinois community members seeking to create a more inclusive and equitable campus.

Gladys Kemboi

Garnes receives Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

Carolyn L. Garnes (MSLIS '72) has received the 2025 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement from the American Library Association (ALA). The annual award, named in honor of award-winning children's book author Virginia Hamilton, is presented in odd years "to a practitioner for substantial contributions through active engagement with youth using award-winning African American literature for children and/or young adults, via implementation of reading and reading-related activities/programs."

Carolyn L. Garnes

Undergraduate Research Symposium features iSchool students and mentors

Several iSchool undergraduate students will participate in the 18th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. During the event, visitors will learn about undergraduate research projects through oral and poster presentations, creative performances, and art exhibits. All are welcome to attend the symposium, which will be held on April 24 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Illini Rooms and South Lounge of the Illini Union. Oral presentations will be held on the second floor of the Illini Union.