This spring, 11 students enrolled in the master’s degree programs at the San José State University School of Information were awarded Endowed and Donated Scholarships from various donors and organizations.

After 10 years of working in the legal field, Dana Ellwood decided to slightly shift careers to librarianship and earn her Master of Library and Information Science degree. As the recipient of the Faculty Scholarship, Ellwood states the scholarship “will allow me to take an extra class this coming fall semester while also lessening the financial burden on me and my family.”

Ellwood wants to continue her career using both her legal and library expertise. “This scholarship will allow me to obtain my master’s degree, so that I can become a full research librarian at the court someday.”

Kathrina Johnson is currently working toward her MLIS degree with an emphasis in school librarianship. Johnson works as a teacher librarian for the Los Angeles Unified School District and is “thankful” for the online program. “That makes it possible for me to complete the program from afar,” she explains.

According to Johnson, receiving the Blanche Woolls Spectrum Scholarship will “make it easier for me to obtain my degree through financial assistance.” The Blanche Woolls Spectrum Scholarship is given to a student who has already received a Spectrum scholarship through the American Library Association.

This year’s recipient of the Alumni and Friends Scholarship was Alicia Perez. Many students both work and go to school, and Perez is no different. She balances working two part-time jobs and completing her MLIS studies and is expected to graduate in December 2025.

“I am very thankful for Dr. Harlan and the Student Awards and Scholarships Committee and hope to make them proud,” Perez says on winning the scholarship. Perez has plans to work as a public librarian and is currently a readers’ services assistant at her local library. “The Alumni and Friends Scholarship will help propel me academically, so I can graduate with less worries about the cost and concentrate more on my studies,” Perez states.

Jennifer Volland felt “honored” to be selected as the winner of the Graduate Student Scholarship. “Like many graduate students, I struggle to find balance in my life, both in terms of my schedule and my finances. I work, and I also have two teenage daughters. This scholarship helps ease the burden and allows me to dedicate more time to my studies,” Volland states.

After working as an independent writer and curator, Volland “fell in love with archives.” She is currently working on her MLIS degree through the archival studies and records management career pathway and is expected to graduate in December 2023.

The scholarship application is open from March 1 to March 31^st of each year. Eligible students are encouraged to apply for the scholarships valued up to $3,000.

Spring 2023 Endowed and Donated Scholarship Recipients:

• Alicia Perez for the Alumni and Friends Scholarship
• Kathrina Johnson for the Blanche Woolls Spectrum Scholarship
• Dana Ellwood for the Faculty Scholarship
• Tabitha Hilliard for the Global Impact Scholarship
• Jennifer Volland for the Graduate Student Scholarship
• Jessica Lee for HW Wilson Scholarship
• Barbara Slover for the Kaiser Permanente Scholarship
• Sarah Lewis for the Leppe Scholarship
• Diane Durham for the Librarian Opportunity Scholarship
• Chelsea Eggli for the Terry Crowley Scholarship
• Felicia Maziarz for the Robert Ellett Scholarship