Syracuse University Libraries and the School of Information Studies have partnered to create a new Information Literacy Scholars program for graduate students. As part of their strategic plan, the Libraries is working to increase curricular integration of information literacy in the schools and colleges to support Syracuse University’s shared competencies, which includes “information literacy and technological agility.”
The Information Literacy Scholars program will increase the Libraries’ capacity to teach information literacy sessions to undergraduate students, while also providing Library Information Studies graduate students with critical teaching experience.
The first class of six Information Literacy Scholars selected for the competitive program began in the fall 2019 semester at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. The inaugural group includes:
- Greg Dachille, who received his Bachelor of Arts from Gettysburg College in 2017 and is from West Orange, NJ.
- Grace Swinnerton, who received her Bachelor of Arts from Emory University in 2017 and is from Washington, DC.
- Lauren Earl, who received her Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College in 2018 and is from Dallas, TX.
- Breeann Austin, who received her Bachelor of Arts from University of California Los Angeles in 2009 and her Masters of Arts from University of Leeds in 2013. She is from Los Angeles, CA.
- Austin Waters, who received her Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York Purchase in 2012 and her Juris Doctorate from William H Bowen School of Law in 2019. She is from Westchester, NY.
- Conor Dugan, who received his Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College in 2015. He is a 2nd year School of Information Studies graduate student from Pittsburgh, PA.
Half Tuition, Paid Work
Information Literacy Scholars receive a 50% tuition award, 20 hours of paid employment per week with Syracuse University Libraries, and mentoring by librarians with expertise in reference, information literacy instruction, and student learning assessment. Scholars will receive practical experience in a variety of capacities at the Libraries, from desk support in the Learning Commons to information literacy instruction and assessment. They will also receive professional development that will position them for entry-level career opportunities upon graduation.
“This new collaborative initiative provides iSchool graduate students with experiential learning and allows them the opportunity to balance professional studies with a personalized and academically rigorous student experience,” said David Seaman, dean of Syracuse University Libraries, university librarian, and interim dean of the School of Information Studies.
iSchool MLIS Degrees
The iSchool offers a 36-credit master’s degree program in library and information science, and its program has been accredited by the American Library Association since 1928. The program’s three-year rolling average job placement rate is 96% (2016-2018 data).
The iSchool also offers a 36-credit MLIS degree with school media specialization, which fulfills the New York State Department of Education master’s degree requirement for teachers. It is available in a flex format that permits School Media students to study on campus for one year then move into online learning for their second year. The program’s three-year rolling average job placement rate is 100% (2016-2018 data).
The iSchool is ranked No. 2 in information systems in U.S. News & World Report rankings of Library and Information Science Schools. For more information on admission, resources for veterans and military, other specialized academic programs, and employer, career development, and student academic opportunities, visit the iSchool website.
Header photo from left to right: Grace Swinnerton, Austin Waters, Breeann Austin, Greg Dachille, Lauren Earl, and Conor Dugan. Photo courtesy for Syracuse University Libraries.