As the fall 2024 semester winds to a close, the Information School is excited to celebrate its newest class of graduates. The diverse, talented group includes undergraduates obtaining bachelor’s degrees in Information Science as well as graduate students completing our renowned master’s programs, the MA Library & Information Studies and MS Information.
These graduates represent the next generation of leaders in the expanding information professions, from librarianship to cybersecurity and beyond. Below, you’ll meet several of them and learn about the highlights of their iSchool experiences and future career aspirations.
Michelle Fisher, MA Library & Information Studies
After working in technical services at the Madison healthcare IT company Epic Systems, Michelle Fisher decided to pursue an MA to dive deeper into the world of libraries and information. Since joining the program, she has gained invaluable academic and career experiences, getting involved with multiple student orgs, attending professional conferences, and working as a Circulation Specialist at Memorial Library.
iSchool highlights:
- “Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums (TLAM) with Cassy Leeport was the most impactful course I took at the iSchool,” Fisher said. “Not only did Cassy do a commendable job introducing a huge amount of information about Indigenous sovereignty, data practices, and historic and contemporary Native issues, but she also prepared us to work in respectful and mutually beneficial partnership with tribal institutions across the state. I have gained lifelong personal and professional relationships through this work.”
- “I also loved completing my practicum at Rosemary Garfoot Public Library in Cross Plains, WI and reviving iQueery after the student organization went dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Fisher added. “iQueery will continue on as a student org after I graduate, thanks to the efforts of past and current leaders who have prioritized leadership development and succession planning.”
What’s next: “I am hoping to work in a public library in the Madison area with a focus on adult services, collection management, and/or community engagement,” Fisher said. “In the meantime, I will continue to work at the UW–Madison Libraries as a circulation specialist.”
Jacqueline Hanson, MA Library & Information Studies
Jacqueline Hanson is graduating with her MA a semester earlier than she expected, a testament to her success in the program. Hanson fondly recounts her iSchool coursework, noting that each class “felt like a collaborative conversation among peers.”
During her master’s program, Hanson also discovered a passion for working and connecting with undergraduates, which she hopes to tap into in a career in higher education libraries.
iSchool highlights:
- “Patrick Leeport’s College and University Libraries course stands out to me as the greatest example of a great collaborative course, and I always appreciated his insights,” Hanson said. “He was even known to stay after class to keep the conversation going, which I appreciated.”
- “Another favorite course of mine was Reference and Information Service (LIS 635) with Margaret Smith. I loved all of the hands-on opportunities (with chat reference, email reference, and more) that were offered to me.”
What’s next: “I hope to go into the world of higher education after graduation,” Hanson said. “I love the role that libraries and archives play in living and learning communities like colleges and universities. Additionally, I love connecting with and working with undergraduate students, which excites me about that world.”
Julia Lalor, MA Library & Information Studies
Julia Lalor has had two important roles since joining the MA program: one as a graduate student, one as a mother. “I entered the program with a 5-month-old baby, and I’m ending the program 2-and-a-half years later with an almost 3-year-old and a 15-month-old,” Lalor said. “I’m proud of myself for only taking one semester off for ‘maternity leave’ and then continuing to take classes full-time and working part-time.” In the program, Lalor pursued a passion for archives through coursework, a part-time role at the Wisconsin Historical Society, and an officer role with the Society of American Archivists’ Student Chapter.
iSchool highlights:
- “I took LIS 734, Intro to Archives, in my first semester, taught by Amanda Smith,” Lalor said. “That class was really well-organized, and it solidified that I wanted to work in archives.”
- “All my professors were very flexible and accommodating with me taking time away from class for childcare reasons, so I am very grateful for that.”
What’s next: “I will be continuing with my part-time position at the Wisconsin Historical Society until the summer, and then we’ll see! My dream job is to be a reference archivist and/or to work with rare books and manuscripts. My undergraduate degree was in Classics, and I’d love to use my knowledge of Ancient Greek on the job.”
Eric Pohlman, MA Library & Information Studies
As a Monk of Saint John’s Abbey in Minnesota since 2011, Eric Pohlman entered our MA program with plenty of self-discipline and a penchant for thinking deeply. As he completes his degree, he is thankful for the courses, instructors, and experiences who have influenced his iSchool journey and laid the foundations for a fulfilling and impactful career at the intersection of libraries, archives, and religion.
iSchool highlights:
- “It was a privilege to process a collection for the Wisconsin Historical Society through Allison Bridger’s course, LIS 640 Description & Arrangement,” Pohlman said.
- “I will be unpacking the TLAM experience (both the course and student group) for a long time to come. Kudos to Cassy Leeport for carrying this signature program forward!”
What’s next: Pohlman will be the archivist & distinctive collections librarian for the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, partnered liberal arts colleges in central Minnesota.
Christian Willis, MS Information
Christian Willis is blazing trails at UW–Madison: he is the first student to complete the MS Information program with our new Human Factors in Cybersecurity concentration and was named the iSchool’s inaugural Koch Scholar. After taking a serious interest in cybersecurity during his undergraduate years at Appalachian State University, Willis dove deeper into the field at UW–Madison, working with his advisor, Associate Professor Rick Wash, on cybersecurity research examining the challenges—specifically for people who speak English as a second language— in identifying phishing emails.
During the MS program, Willis also completed an internship at the Kohl’s corporate office in Milwaukee and served in multiple leadership roles, including as co-president of TEDxUWMadison, vice president of Design Interactive, and iSchool student orientation leader.
iSchool highlights:
- “I would love to give special acknowledgement to several iSchool faculty and staff,” Willis said. “First, I want to thank my research advisor, Associate Professor Rick Wash, for the privilege to work and learn under him in different areas of cybersecurity during my time as a research assistant.”
- Willis also thanked iSchool director of experiential learning, Brendan Casey, for “ultimately preparing me for my future career in industry.” He added, “I utilized Brendan’s Experiential Learning services almost every week during my time in graduate school for strategies in internship hunting, resume building, mock interview practices, and more”
What’s next: “After graduation, I plan to stay in Wisconsin and am currently seeking roles in the IT and cybersecurity spaces.”
Fife Salako, BS Information Science
Raised in Milwaukee, Fife Salako (like Willis) is fascinated by cybersecurity. During his Information Science (iSci) undergraduate studies, Salako learned about the complicated and changing relationships between individuals, technology, and society. Through courses like Introduction to Cyberlaw (LIS 663), as well as an information security internship at Dialysis Care Center, Salako cemented his interest in issues of cybersecurity as he prepares to embark on a promising career in the field.
iSchool highlights:
- “My personal favorite iSchool course was Cyberlaw (LIS 663) with Professor Anuj Desai,” Salako said. “It was my first 600-level class and I was definitely a bit anxious, but his teaching style, coupled with the small class size, made it an interactive and enjoyable atmosphere to learn about how the legal world evolved as technology did as well.”
What’s next: “I am open to a broad range of roles in the world of information and cybersecurity. I am also planning to complete additional certifications to help me stand out in the competitive job market.”
Divya Van Pietersom, BA Information Science
Divya Van Pietersom, a double major in Communication Arts and Information Science, understands that information and communication are inseparable. During her time at UW–Madison, Van Pietersom has served as a community outreach intern at the Madison Youth Arts Center and an intern at the UW–Madison Transfer Transition Program, harnessing the technical skills (understanding data, basic coding) picked up through the iSci major as well as the communication skills (compelling writing and storytelling) acquired through the Comm Arts program.
iSchool highlights:
- “I really enjoyed Interaction Design Studio (LIS 470) with David McHugh,” Van Pietersom said. The course teaches students an approach to designing digital information systems that places humans and their needs at the center of the design process.
- “The Information Science major was a great program, and I really enjoyed the courses I took. I gained a wide variety of experiences and skills from this major that I will take with me throughout life.”
What’s next: “I am excited to be volunteering and traveling in the spring. I will be visiting my family in Nepal and spending time exploring other countries in Asia. I am excited to see where this journey takes me!”
Congratulations to all of the fall 2024 graduates of the Information School!
To learn more about all of our degree and non-degree offerings, visit our Programs page.