Jessica Humphries, first-year MLIS student and Josué Rivera-Olds, a second-year MLIS student were selected by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) for their Career Enhancement Program.

Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and ARL member libraries, the fellowship provides internship experiences in an ARL library to students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups.

The goal of the program is to create a diverse research library workforce that will better meet the challenges of changing demographics and the emphasis of global perspectives in higher education.

Humphries, Rivera-Olds and the other 12 fellows chosen for the 2015 program will receive a 6 to 12-week paid internship; the potential for academic credit for the practical experience; a mentoring relationship with a professional librarian; and an opportunity to attend the annual ARL Leadership Symposium.

Humphries will intern at the University of Michigan. She holds a BA in women’s studies and art history from the University of Victoria and currently works at the University of Victoria Libraries as the circulation and technical support supervisor. Her interests include indigenous knowledge systems, diverse collections, and community engagement.

Rivera-Olds will intern at the University of Washington. He holds a BA in political science from Earlham College. Since finishing his first year of graduate school, he has worked at the Congressional Research Service and expanded his interest in a variety of topics, including government information, information literacy, as well medical and academic librarianship.