The Information School celebrates excellent student achievements through its annual Student Awards program, recognizing students who have shown impressive dedication and creativity in academics, leadership, and community engagement. Below, you will meet the 2025 iSchool Student Award recipients—outstanding scholars pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Congratulations to all of our awardees!
Outstanding Information Science Student Award: Abby Ziegelbein
What does this award mean to you?
This award affirms my passion for creating accessible, user-centered digital solutions and my commitment to applying technology beyond the classroom to real-world challenges. Through my internships and classes, I’ve worked on many projects that bridge the digital divide, whether through web development in Tanzania, improving SEO for educational programs, or digital marketing in Finland to help disabled students access education online. This has all shaped my understanding of how technology can empower communities and make meaningful change.
Are there specific faculty or staff member(s) at the iSchool who have been particularly influential in your success?
Adam Rule taught the Interaction Design Studio course (LIS 470) that sparked my interest in User Experience and ultimately helped me decide on my major. He was always very accommodating as a professor and passionate about the topics he taught. I really enjoyed the structure of his class, and I feel that if I had never taken that course, I would not be where I am today in terms of my work and goals for my post-grad future.
What advice would you give to future iSchool students who aspire to achieve similar recognition?
The iSchool has so much to offer, and information science is a very diverse field. So, find something that interests you and run with it! It will take hard work and persistence, but everything is worth it when you’re able to look back at where you started and feel proud of how far you’ve come.
Outstanding Information Science Student Award: Melina Zarboulas
What does this award mean to you?
Receiving this award is an incredible honor and validation of the work I’ve poured into my academic journey, my passion for information science, and my commitment to building meaningful communities. For me, college has always been about more than just attending classes and earning a degree, so this award affirms that what I’ve worked for, like bridging gaps, fostering creativity, and using technology to bring people together, matters. And it motivates me to keep going, to keep questioning, and to keep building.
Are there specific faculty or staff member(s) at the iSchool who have been particularly influential in your success?
One person who has been incredibly influential in my success at the iSchool is Stacy Harnett. From the very beginning, she has been such a helpful advisor, always guiding me through my academic journey with thoughtful advice and unwavering support.
What iSchool courses have been most memorable for you?
My cyber law course (LIS 663) really opened my eyes to how information science can apply to nearly every field. It made me realize that the principles and skills we develop in iSci aren’t confined to just tech roles, they influence everything from policy and ethics to business and creative industries.
Outstanding MS Graduate Student Award: Shelcia David Raj
What does this award mean to you?
This award symbolizes the collective support of my mentors, professors, and peers who have guided and inspired me to explore user-centered design, inclusivity, and ethical data practices. This recognition also reaffirms my passion for advocating accessibility in every project I undertake, whether it’s developing inclusive course designs or implementing user-friendly technologies for underrepresented communities.
Are there specific faculty or staff member(s) at the iSchool who have been particularly influential in your success?
Corey Jackson has been especially influential in my journey at the iSchool. Under his guidance as a Graduate Project Assistant, I had the opportunity to develop an inclusive data analysis tool that empowers government bodies to better understand underrepresented communities’ perspectives on climate change policies. Through this project, he encouraged me to explore new technologies, refine my coding practices, and think critically about how to make data more accessible and engaging.
What advice would you give to future iSchool students who aspire to achieve similar recognition?
First, be proactive in seeking out hands-on experiences—whether through clubs, internships, or research assistantships. Practical application will reinforce classroom concepts and give you concrete achievements to highlight. Second, build relationships: connect with faculty for mentorship, partner with classmates on projects, and attend networking events that broaden your perspective.
Outstanding MS Graduate Student Award: Chris Chen
What does this award mean to you?
As the UX Club leader, a researcher collaborating with professors, and a TA supporting undergraduate students, I’ve dedicated myself to both academic and community-driven contributions. This award reinforces my sense of accomplishment and motivates me to continue making an impact. I’m deeply thankful to everyone who has given me opportunities to grow, contribute, and prove my capabilities.
What iSchool courses have been most memorable for you?
Several courses at the iSchool have profoundly shaped my academic journey. User Experience 1 and 2 provided a strong foundation in UX research and interaction design, helping me develop research methods, apply design thinking, and create meaningful, user-centered solutions. The Data Visualization course was also a game-changer—it taught me how to transform complex data into clear, compelling visuals, a skill that has been invaluable in both my research and design work.
What advice would you give to future iSchool students who aspire to achieve similar recognition?
My advice to future iSchool students is to stay curious, take initiative, and get involved. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—whether it’s leading a club, collaborating on research, or taking on a TA role.
Outstanding MA Graduate Student Award: Cass Arnold
What does this award mean to you?
I’m a reserved person; I prefer to keep my head down and work hard. I tend to be satisfied with knowing that I’ve done well, but satisfaction doesn’t pay my bills. Receiving this award will help me pay my bills and has the added benefit of reassuring me that my hard work is noticed and appreciated.
How do you plan to use the award funds to support your academic or professional goals?
Just last night, I was looking through some upcoming virtual conferences and thinking about budgeting for them. Attending conferences as a student and early career professional is a great way to get to know the profession and make connections with other library workers. With some of the award funds, I hope to attend one or more virtual conferences; the rest will go towards my student loans.
Which Information School course(s) have had the most significant impact on your academic journey and why?
Patrick Leeport, my LIS 722 “College and University Libraries” instructor, has encouraged student agency and structured particularly fruitful group discussions. LIS 655 (Collection Management) introduced me to several important tools and resources that I will use in future.
Larry Jacobsen Innovations In Library Science Award: Amber Williams
What does this award mean to you?
It is an honor to be recognized for my academic scholarship and the radical positive changes I intend to make through librarianship. With this generous award I will not have to wait until I graduate to begin developing public library programming.
Are there specific faculty or staff member(s) at the iSchool who have been particularly influential in your success?
Cassy Leeport has been a mentor to me as the iSchool Library Manager, TLAM Instructor, and an academic advisor; Cassy encouraged and influenced my decision to enroll in the courses I have thus far. Upon meeting Cassy, I told her about my professional goals and she has completely supported me in attaining them. Eric Ely-Ledesma has been instrumental in my development as a social justice librarian; he is an incredibly compassionate person and an excellent instructor.
Jaime Healy-Plotkin reignited my passion for public libraries, sharing her insight, experience, and professional contacts with our class. Tanya Hendricks Cobb has consistently carved out time for me even when I knew she had little to none to spare. She was a deciding factor in my decision to enroll and remain at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am incredibly grateful to each of these extraordinary individuals.
What advice would you give to future iSchool students who aspire to achieve similar recognition?
Graduate school is your opportunity to learn and make mistakes. Do not self-censor. If you have an idea but fear it may be too radical just go for it anyway; this gives your instructors the space to offer you constructive criticism. A correction is a gift.
Dianne McAfee Hopkins Diversity Activities Award: David Advent
What does this award mean to you?
Receiving this award is incredibly important to me. It validates the important work that I have been completing in support of my MA program, especially related to the LGBTQ+ Oral History Program. The award brings visibility to the important work we are conducting at the oral history program to preserve LGBTQ+ stories and identities through new and emerging digital technologies.
How do you plan to use the award funds to support your academic or professional goals?
I intend on using this award to pursue an SAA digitization certificate, which will enable me to have a better understanding of the archival profession and continue my professionalization in the field.
Are there specific faculty or staff member(s) at the iSchool who have been particularly influential in your success?
There have been so many faculty and staff members that have supported me in my work. Megan Adams has been a critical faculty member in supporting me and my work, especially relating to finding new archival projects, going on the job market, and just general advice and success. Cassy Leeport has helped me understand the relationships between digital archival preservation and tribal nations through the TLAM program, deepening a newer and more diverse context of the archival profession.
James Krikelas Award For Innovative Use Of Information Technology: Forum Patel
What does this award mean to you?
It means a lot to see my work acknowledged, especially in a field I care deeply about. This award reminds me of the importance of using technology to solve real-world problems and improve how we interact with information. I’m inspired to continue exploring new ways to apply technology in impactful ways, and I’m thankful to the iSchool and the selection committee for this incredible opportunity.
Are there specific faculty or staff member(s) at the iSchool who have been particularly influential in your success?
I am deeply thankful to Jenny Greiber and Brendan Casey for their guidance and support throughout my time at the iSchool. Their encouragement and advice have been invaluable to me.
What advice would you give to future iSchool students who aspire to achieve similar recognition?
To future iSchool students aiming for similar recognition, my advice is to stay curious, proactive, and collaborative. Focus on solving real-world problems that genuinely interest you, don’t hesitate to collaborate and seek feedback, and pay attention to presentation. Whether it’s a project report, a visualization, or a pitch, clarity and storytelling matter. Finally, apply for opportunities like awards, even if you doubt your chances. Recognition often comes from taking that first step. Believe in your work, and don’t be afraid to share it with the world.
Congratulations to all of the 2025 iSchool Student Award winners!