Members of the ARL Diversity and Inclusion Committee and select designates have chosen 15 master of library and information science (MLIS) students to participate in the 2016–2018 Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW) as ARL diversity scholars.
Underwritten by ARL member libraries, the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce offers numerous financial benefits to program participants as well as leadership development provided through the ARL Annual Leadership Symposium, a formal mentoring program, career placement assistance, and an ARL research library visit. This program reflects the commitment of ARL members to create a diverse research library professional community that will better meet the challenges of changing demographics in higher education and the emphasis on global perspectives in the academy.
“The Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce continues ARL's tradition of a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Beth McNeil, dean of university libraries at Iowa State and member of the selection committee. “This year's pool of applicants was exceptionally competitive and, with candidates of this caliber, a bright and sustaining future for research libraries is assured.”
The 2016–2018 ARL diversity scholars are:
- Nicola Andrews, University of Washington
- Daniel Arbino, University of Arizona
- Simone Clunie, Florida State University
- Narcissa E. Haskins, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Marisa Hernandez, University of Southern California
- Michael L. Maciel, University of North Texas
- Lorisia MacLeod, University of Alberta
- Siobhan McKissic, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Nisha Mody, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Jasmine M. Pawlicki, University of Arizona
- Maria Adoria Rios, University of South Carolina
- Renee Romero, University of California, Los Angeles
- Gina M. Rosabal, San Jose State University
- Michele Wan, Queens College, City University of New York
- Mai Xiong, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
