Matt Archer has joined the iSchool as coordinator of academic and student affairs. In his new role, he will support the social and academic development of students in the PhD degree program.

The iSchool is expanding rapidly, adding programs, faculty, and students. In the past four years, student enrollment and the number of faculty have nearly doubled. A new partnership created by Dean Eunice E. Santos, the iSchool Dean's Innovation Council (iDIC), provides an opportunity for leaders to engage with and benefit the School as it continues to grow.

Suzan Alteri joined the iSchool this month as assistant director of the Center for Children's Books (CCB). In her new position, she will foster cross-campus and community collaborations around youth media and literature, teach courses on children's literature, and manage the day-to-day operations of the CCB.

Patrick Martinez joined the iSchool this month as an endpoint services specialist. In his new position, he will work closely with faculty and staff to assist with their IT issues, needs, and concerns.

On September 15, 1963, four little girls had their lives cut short in a bomb blast at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This tragic event, which drew international attention to the civil rights movement in the U.S., is a pivotal moment in The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, the Newbery Honor-winning book by children's author Christopher Paul Curtis. Next week, several organizations, including the iSchool's Center for Children's Books (CCB), are partnering on events for young people in Birmingham to mark the 60th anniversary of the bombing.

Former students, colleagues, and friends will gather to celebrate Professor Emerita Linda C. Smith's contributions to the field of LIS at a virtual symposium on Thursday, September 28, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time.

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.

Shirley Meyers joined the iSchool in July as grants and contracts coordinator. In her position, she will perform pre- and post-award administrative functions related to sponsored research projects.

Joey Kennedy joined the iSchool in July as senior IT specialist. In this position, he will supervise the Help Desk graduate assistants and provide course and general IT support for the School.

Lauren Ochs joined the iSchool in July as school librarian licensure coordinator. Her new duties include advising students about coursework and field experiences leading to school library licensure and/or endorsement; placing, supervising, and evaluating students in schools around the state in field experiences, such as practicum and student teaching; and aligning the school librarian licensure program with state and national standards.

Weslee Walton joined the iSchool in June as associate director of finance and business operations. In his new role, he will oversee the School's financial operations and guide associate and assistant deans and directors in the development of their budgets by providing specialized analysis and reports.

Adrienne Jackson joined the iSchool in June as assistant director of recruitment and admissions. In this position, she will support recruitment for all degree programs in the School, with an emphasis on the undergraduate program.

The iSchool hosted a 130th anniversary celebration on June 25 at the American Writers Museum in Chicago. The event, which was held in conjunction with the American Library Association Annual Conference, included a keynote address and presentations, along with time for guests to mingle and explore the museum.

Professor Catherine Blake has been named associate dean for academic affairs. In this new role, she provides leadership and oversight for academic programs, including program development, curriculum coordination, and continuous improvement of educational experiences.

Hanna Jeter (MSLIS '15) was an elementary school librarian who had just made the jump to middle school when she learned she would be teaching a class on digital citizenship and media literacy.

Hope Bickers joined the iSchool on May 22 as an office manager. In her new role, she will provide administrative support for the associate dean for academic affairs and program directors.

iSchool undergraduates have the opportunity to explore various career pathways and meet potential employers through a unique course, IS 200 CE: Career Exploration and Development (formerly IS 199 EE: iSchool Explore, Engage, Develop). This one-credit course focuses on professional development and career exploration by connecting students with industry representatives, alumni, current students, faculty, and staff. It provides an opportunity for students to build a professional network and teaches them the skills to do so through course assignments, informal interview and career fair presentations, and other professional workshops.

For their tireless efforts to support academic freedom, New College of Florida faculty, librarians, student reporters of The Catalyst, and the Defend New College and Save New College student and alumni organizations have collectively been named the 2022 recipient of the Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award. The award is given annually by the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and cosponsored by Sage, a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources.

The Informatics Program’s Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab hosted over 200 visitors of all ages for an open house on April 16. The event was held during the Boneyard Arts Festival, an annual three-day event hosted by 40 North | 88 West that showcases local artists, businesses, and organizations in the Champaign-Urbana community. The iSchool oversees Informatics Programs for the University.

Students who are struggling academically or just need a little help can find assistance at the iSchool Academic Support Center. In addition to providing one-on-one tutoring to iSchool students and students enrolled in iSchool courses, the center offers academic success workshops, coordinates with faculty and instructors to provide support for specific courses or exams, and curates and shares academic support resources.