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Three incoming MLIS students receive 2012-13 Spectrum Scholarships

Andrea Barkley, Brandon Cal and Connie Thompson are the latest iSchool students to be selected as American Library Association Spectrum Scholars

The Spectrum Scholarship Program provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies. Its mission is to improve service at the local level through the development of a representative workforce that reflects the communities served by all libraries.

Andrea Barkley received her BA in Linguistics, with a minor in Global Gender Studies, from the University at Buffalo in 2002, graduating magna cum laude. She has been a musician for the past 15 years and toured in North America, UK and Europe. Barkley is currently very interested in working to increase information literacy among socio-economically vulnerable populations, such as prisoners, the elderly and immigrant communities. She resides in San Francisco, CA, and will be an MLIS Online student in the fall.

Barkley was enthusiastic about her selection. "I am so pleased to have received the Spectrum Scholarship from the ALA. It is a great honor to have been selected for this very special and important scholarship. Furthermore, I deeply appreciate their commitment to diversity and helping to advance the presence of people of color in librarianship and information fields. This is a wonderful opportunity. I couldn't be more excited!"

Cal grew up in Seattle, WA and attended Washington State University, where he majored in History and minored in Political Science, graduating cum laude in 2012. Cal will begin his studies in the Master of Library and Information Science program this fall and intends to pursue further graduate education for academic or law librarianship.

"I'm sincerely humbled and flattered to have been chosen for this scholarship. What an incredible opportunity this presents," said Cal about the award.

Thompson grew up in New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation and attended the University of New Mexico where she received her degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She taught on the reservation, worked in the Peace Corp and most recently taught in Austin, Texas. She plans to focus her education in Children and Youth Services and work in the public sector after graduation.

"I'm very fortunate to receive this honor. I look forward to making connections with previous Spectrum Scholars and accessing the resources that a recipient of the Scholarship is provided," noted Thompson.

Since 1997, the ALA has awarded more than 800 Spectrum Scholarships. The award grants a one-year $5,000 scholarship and over $1,500 in professional development opportunities to the scholars. The complete list of 2012 Spectrum Scholars can be viewed here.