Verse is a new programming language developed by Epic Games and is used by creators in UEFN for custom Island creation. The Epic Developer Community website currently does not have a Verse taxonomy, making Verse-related document retrieval and code searching on their snippet repository difficult. This project looks to generate Verse taxonomy terms to enhance searchability, ensuring relevance and quicker information retrieval, and a repository redesign to improve code posting and findability, thereby enhancing user experience and engagement through content organization. These improvements benefit Epic by optimizing usability, increasing engagement metrics, and reducing indirect costs associated with software development.

My capstone documents the process of returning a non-Native family’s collection of Native American belongings back to the Tribes. The collection of 70 objects and 461 photo negatives was amassed by my step-grandfather during his employment with the Indian Field Service in 1938–42. In a 6,000-word written narrative, I describe the methodology that I followed toward returning the collection, and I discuss the practical and ethical entanglements raised in the undertaking of this project. This case study of repatriation documents one small step toward dismantling historical systems of oppression and exploitation, and investing in a future of Indigenous self-determination.

To counteract rising censorship of queer art and literature, we partnered with the Washington State Poet Laureate to launch an anthology of LGBTQIA+ poetry submitted by authors of all experience levels from across the state. Using web development, indexing, and design skills acquired through the MLIS program, our team built an online repository that blends the nuance of a special collections archive with the user-friendliness of a digital publication. This year, the Poet Laureate will tour the state and share the anthology as a teaching tool in support of ArtsWA’s mission to make diverse art accessible in Washington communities.

In India, young professionals often leave home in pursuit of their dreams. Cooking can feel like a chore after a long day of work, however, and no restaurant can replicate mom’s home-made flavors. Through our project, we created a digital platform that acts as a two-sided marketplace connecting home chefs to hungry customers. By integrating feedback from users on both sides, we created a prototype designed carefully for providing the best user experience to everyone involved. For customers, we provide a convenient mealtime option. For chefs, we provide a means for making a living. For everyone, we created a community.

Partnering with KEXP's digital asset manager, my project addresses limitations in the station’s music genre cataloging scheme. Through data analysis, reparative metadata work, and end-user consultation, it assesses KEXP’s "world music" metadata completeness and diversity. It also examines DJs' information needs for music retrieval. Drawing from knowledge organization and digital preservation, I propose recommendations for improving music title stewardship in KEXP's digital asset management system, Dalet Galaxy.

In the US, young adults ages 18 to 24, waste more food than any other age group (Nikolaus et al., 2018); this stems from many factors including lack of time or ideas for cooking due to busy academic, work, and social schedules. What You Got Left? is an interactive website aimed to tackle food waste at an individual level. Users can input and share ingredients, track expiration dates, and generate diverse recipes. Through our recipe inventory and generation features, we hope to bring awareness to the ingredients we have at our disposal to eat healthier, reduce waste, and live sustainably.