Seventeen iSchool students named 2023-2024 ALA Spectrum Scholars

iSchool Building

Seventeen iSchool master's students have been named 2023-2024 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. Since 1997, the Spectrum Scholarship Program has promoted diversity among graduate-level students pursuing degrees in library and information studies through ALA-accredited programs.

This year's scholars were selected based on their commitment to community building, leadership potential, and planned contributions to making social justice as part of everyday work in LIS. The highly competitive scholarship program received four times as many applications as there were available scholarships, with University of Illinois students representing almost a quarter of the award recipients.

The Spectrum Scholarship recipients at Illinois are:

  • Alyssa Brown
  • Cristina Amelia Bueno
  • Camryn "Cam" Burkins
  •  Abigail DeWeese
  • Ted Farias
  • Sarah Rebecca Velazquez Gaglio
  • Aliyanda K Harris Cobbinah
  • Melina Hegelheimer
  • Victor Jesus Lopez
  • Janelle Lyons
  • Angelica Moreno Lopez
  • Starr Grace Ngo
  • Tanisha Roman
  • Andrea Serna
  • Sally Vinanzaca
  • Evie Qi Wang
  • Zaria Whitlock

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 scholars will receive a tuition waiver from the iSchool and 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.

"I'm so excited to see so many of our talented students recognized by the American Library Association as Spectrum Scholars," said Katrina Hagler, director of recruitment and admissions. "I look forward to seeing these students add to their skill sets while in our MSLIS program and then utilizing those skills to impact their communities and advance social justice in the field."

Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Library Trends explores the philosophy of information in issue and webinar

The School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is pleased to announce the publication of Library Trends 73 (1–2). Inspired by the contributions of Marcia Bates, this issue, "Design and the Philosophy of Information," highlights the cultural, social, and philosophical dimensions of information design. Ken Herold served as guest editor. 

Design and the Philosophy of Information

Knox appointed interim dean

Professor Emily Knox has been appointed to serve as interim dean of the School of Information Sciences, pending approval by the Board of Trustees. Until officially approved, her title will be interim dean designate. The appointment will begin April 1, 2025.

Emily Knox

iSchool instructors ranked as excellent

Fifty-six iSchool instructors were named in the University's List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent for Fall 2024 and Winter 2024-2025. The rankings are released every semester, and results are based on the ratings from the Instructor and Course Evaluation System (ICES) questionnaire forms maintained by Measurement and Evaluation in the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. 

iSchool Building

Scholarship alleviates financial burden for returning student

During her time as an active-duty Naval Officer, Anna Hartman realized that she had a passion for helping others and building community. That passion, combined with a lifelong love of reading, led her to pursue an MSLIS degree at the University of Illinois. Hartman is receiving support for her studies through the Balz Endowment Fund, which was established by Nancy (BA LAS '70, MSLIS '72) and Dan (BS Media '68, MS Media '72) Balz to help make education more affordable for returning students.

Anna Hartman

Townsend to support iSchool administration

Angelica Townsend joined the iSchool on March 17 as an office administrator. She will serve as the primary administrative support for the interim executive associate dean and the assistant dean for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 

Angelica Townsend