Becoming a part of the professional community is an important aspect of professional education. Students at the Information School are fortunate to have a number of quality professional organizations with student chapters and student membership. We encourage our students to become active in at least one of these organizations and join your respective listservs to ensure that you see communication from the student organizations.

Association for Information Management Students (AIMS)

  AIMS serves Early-Career and Mid-Career students in the Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM) program. Its goal is to improve the academic, career and social experiences for both current students and alumni. Throughout the year, AIMS hosts a variety of events such as happy hours and skill-building sessions, and it advocates and addresses issues on behalf of the MSIM student body during the MSIM Program Committee, iSchool Student Leadership Council, and Graduate Student Senate meetings.

Association of Library and Information Science Students (ALISS)

ALISS organizes a variety of events, including a quarterly town hall to provide voice to students who want to express concerns with iSchool administrators; social events such as hikes; coffee in the iLounge; and professional events that feature guest speakers working in the field. 

ArLISNAP

ArLiSNAP at the iSchool is an ideal community for students interested in exploring the intersection of art, libraries, information and technology. ArLiSNAP, which stands for Art Library Students and New ARLIS Professionals, works to engage them by hosting events, informational panels, job talks with professionals working in the field and more.

Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T)

The Association for Information Science & Technology supports students interested in information professions by providing career development and leadership opportunities and hosting various events throughout the academic year at the Information School. 

DubsTech

DubsTech UW is for any student who wants to join a supportive community that focuses on providing hands-on opportunities that help students improve their tech skills. This group does this by organizing a variety of free, open-to-all workshops, competitions and talks every year. Each workshop involves students directly interacting with technology and completing a project they can use as a showcase in their portfolio. Dubstech UW hosts guest speakers from various tech companies such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook.

Doctoral Student Association (DSA)

The DSA provides a supportive community for Ph.D. students by providing official channels for communications between students and the faculty/administration of the Information School, as well as organizing opportunities for social, cultural and professional activities for students. 

Graduate and Professional Students Senate (GPSS) 

GPSS represents more than 15,000 graduate and professional students at the University of Washington. This organization advocates for the needs and interests of students on campus by providing a platform for graduate and professional students to get involved in student leadership and make their voices heard on issues that impact the student body.

iEquity

iEquity focuses on social justice and the role that Library and Information Science plays in advocating for a more equitable world. Joining this group means that students will be part of a supportive and diverse community that aims to provide a safe space for all students to engage in dialogue, events, and action that focus on intersectional issues of oppression, as they relate to the UW iSchool.  

ISACA

ISACA aims to engage students who are interested in learning about information security and risk. This student group accomplishes this by hosting workshops and events that teach students about basic information security procedures and best practices. 

Informatics Undergraduate Association (IUGA)

IUGA is a great place for students to gain campus leadership because it operates as the student government for the Informatics undergraduate program, advocating for the interests of current and prospective Informatics students. IUGA also hosts fun, community-building events as well as programming that focuses on professional development.

iYouth

iYouth is a community of graduate students and future librarians that celebrates young adult and children’s literature. This group also supports professional development for students and organizes a variety of opportunities that help students engage youth through academics and community outreach.

Society of American Archivists, UW Chapter (SAA-UW)

 SAA-UW is the right place for students interested in the archival profession. This group aims to expand the professional network of students pursuing careers in this field by hosting a variety of events, including panels with guest speakers, tours to local archives, and preservation workshops.

American Library Association, UW Student Chapter (sALA)

sALA organizes a variety of programs and activities throughout the year to encourage networking, highlight trends and issues in the library profession, promote advocacy, and assist students in course and conference planning.

Special Libraries Association, UW Chapter (SLA-UW)

SLA-UW seeks to engage and inform students who are interested in pursuing a career in special libraries. This group organizes activities and events such as library crawls and career nights. 

Students of Color in LIS (SoCLIS)

Students of Color in LIS (SoCLIS) supports students of color pursuing careers in library and information science, building professional and personal connections between underrepresented practitioners of color.

Student User Developer Organization (SUDO)

Dedicated to providing resources and information for all international students in the iSchool community. SUDO is a great community for students who are interested in exploring careers in technology fields. Every year, SUDO organizes events and activities such as CPT/OPT info sessions, resume workshops, a Code in the Dark Hackathon, AWS workshops, multicultural potlucks and more.  https://www.facebook.com/SudoUW/

Women in Informatics (Winfo)

Women in Informatics supports ways to empower women to thrive as producers of technology. Winfo is a supportive network of women in technology fields who provide students with mentorship, resources and support toward career development and academic pursuits. This group organizes various activities and events such as hackathons, a Diversity Power Hour, company tours at tech companies such as Indeed.com, networking nights and more. 

Academic Listservs

If you are a current iSchool student, faculty or staff member wanting to join an academic listserv or be removed from one, please email Student Services:

• Informatics: email informatics@uw.edu; view archives here
• MLIS: you will be automatically added to this mandatory mailing list before the first day of class; if you are not on it, please email mlis@uw.edu; view MLIS archives here and MLIS Chat archives here (archives only accessible to UW MLIS students)
• MSIM: email msim@uw.edu; view archives here
• Ph.D.: email ischoolphd@uw.edu; view archives here