Giving Opportunities

Charitable support from iSchool alumni, parents, and friends makes myriad life-changing opportunities possible for our students.

Give to the iSchool

It’s a great time to be involved with the Syracuse University School of Information Studies. The iSchool blends scholarship, teaching, and research with our unique collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Looking for specific ways to give back to the iSchool? Scroll down to explore our list of current giving priorities and named funds.

Giving Priorities

In the ever-changing world of information technology, it’s important for all of us here at the iSchool to stay on top of the latest trends in education and technology to provide our students with the greatest opportunities to learn. By giving to the Dean’s Fund, you can help us maintain the financial flexibility we need to stay ahead of the curve and meet the needs of our school and students.

The Career Services and Experiential Learning Fund (CaSEL) supports strategic, data-driven initiatives that help students track their iSchool journey and achieve their career goals. This helps us maintain our long history of having the highest job placement rates and starting salaries of all the schools and colleges at Syracuse University. This includes Career Treks and Tech Treks (formerly Road Trips and Immersion Programs, respectively) but gifts may still be made directly to those funds.

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Fund (IDEA) is used to support activities and initiatives relating these key values at the iSchool. Activities may include workshops, talks, and training for IDEA topics, increasing a diverse student applicant pool, and educating student groups to include IDEA initiatives in their programming. We continue to develop programs that connect us with individuals that deserve more representation in the information technology field such as women, underrepresented minorities, and neurodiverse individuals.

Contributions to this fund support aspiring librarians in enriching their academic experience with conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities.

This fund is used to support students facing financial obstacles in completing their degree or to reward, attract or retain students based on academic merit. This might include funding to buy textbooks and required technology, to conduct a special project, or to participate in an extra cost program. It may also be used for merit based awards in accordance with the policies of the University’s Office of Financial Aid.

Help women as they forge their own path in the world of information technology. These funds engage and support women at the iSchool and highlight the endless opportunities in information technology through initiatives such as women focused student organizations, speakers, and conferences.

Named Funds

This scholarship was established in memory and honor of Joseph Dosa and, when Marta retired, the scholarship was expanded to recognize her as well. In her 34 years of service at Syracuse University, Marta inspired many students through her teaching, research, and most of all, mentoring. Her expertise covered information fields related environmental science, health resources, government documents, developing countries, gerontological, and more. This fund grants tuition scholarships for exceptional graduate students in the School of Information Studies based on academic merit.

The fund is in memory of Professor Jeffrey Katzer, the founder of the School of Information Studies’ Doctoral Program. Jeffrey was a member of the Syracuse University faculty from 1968 to 2000. During that time, he played a key role in positioning the iSchool as a national leader in the information field. The doctoral program he founded has become a national model for broad-based theoretical doctoral programs in information science. The fund is awarded to Ph.D. students who best exemplify the values embodied by Jeffrey Katzer. As a scholar, researcher and teacher, Jeff set the bar high with his adherence to quality, fairness, and ethics

In the years from 1952 to 1986, over 15,000 students had the opportunity to learn from Antje Lemke. She held to the notion that teaching is sharing information, not imposing it. This fund supports graduate students in the Library and Information Science program who exhibit a passion for learning and a dedication to service.

Named after former iSchool Dean Raymond Von Dran, who served from 1995 to 2007, and passed away shortly after he stepped down. von Dran was a long-time academic entrepreneur who started many innovative programs in higher education and supported student innovation and entrepreneurship. This fund provides support for the iSchool’s iPrize pitch competition awards.