SLIS students receive ALA, ARL scholarships

MLIS Students, Amy Lim (left) and Euncho Ko (right)

The School of Library and Information Studies extends warmest congratulations to MLIS students Amy Lim, recipient of both the American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholarship and the Association for Research Libraries (ARL) Kaleidoscope Program Scholarship, and to Euncho Ko, recipient of the ALA Spectrum Scholarship!

"I am very excited to incorporate the opportunities and experiences that I will gain through the ARL and ALA scholarships during my time in the MLIS program! I want to give a very special thanks to those in the SLIS community who have supported me thus far. My hope is to give back to the SLIS community (and beyond), through important equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts such as the ARL and ALA scholarships," said Lim.

"Receiving the Spectrum Scholarship is a great honor and a significant milestone in my MLIS journey. As a woman of color from what is considered a non-mainstream cultural and linguistic background, I entered the library profession and this program with reservations due to its longstanding lack of diversity. This scholarship not only validates my achievements but also provides invaluable support as I navigate this path. More than anything, I am excited that the Spectrum community offers a platform I have long sought—a space to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions in the field of library and information science. I am eager to embrace these opportunities for growth and look forward to contributing to the advancement of our profession," said Ko.

The ALA Spectrum Scholarship Program seeks to advance racial equity by connecting new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians with a network committed to mutual support and advancing one another’s leadership. Spectrum Scholars are selected based on their commitment to community building, leadership potential, and planned contributions to making social justice part of their everyday work in LIS.

The ARL Kaleidoscope Program is a two-year commitment that aims to prepare BIPOC graduate students for purposeful and consequential careers in research libraries and archives through enriched leadership development and community building opportunities. Kaleidoscope Program Scholars receive financial support for tuition and professional development, mentoring, and access to educational experiences and signature events.