UNC School of Information and Library Science

05/29/2026

Faculty Spotlight: Maggie Melo ✨

SILS Associate Professor Maggie Melo studies how students navigate learning environments in higher education, from makerspaces to emerging tools like generative AI. 💻

Her research explores the moments when students decide to ask for help, experiment with new technologies or engage with collaborative learning spaces.

One of her current projects, supported by the National Science Foundation, examines how first-generation college students use generative AI tools like ChatGPT for academic assistance.

🔗 Learn more about Melo and her work:

• Faculty profile:
https://buff.ly/zDqRUdQ

• NSF award details:
https://buff.ly/m13SeQJ

05/29/2026

05/26/2026

We’re proud to recognize this year’s SILS student, faculty and staff award recipients honored during spring commencement.

Congratulations to:

🎓 Sydnie Martin — Dean's Paper Achievement Award

🎓 Gilda-Mei Kahealani Pesqueira — Undergraduate Honors Thesis Award

🎓 Oanh Li Huy Nguyen — Undergraduate Honors Thesis Award

🎓 Michael Selfridge — Undergraduate Honors Thesis Highest Honors Award

🎓 Isabella Lynch — Undergraduate Honors Thesis Highest Honors Award

🎓 Dale Henion — Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) Instructor of Excellence Award 2026

🎓 Wilkens Verger — CHIP Outstanding Service to the Program Award

🎓 Diane Kelly — Edward G. Holley Good of the Order Award

🎓 Lori Haight — Edward G. Holley Good of the Order Award

🎓 Abigail Allred — Outstanding Service to the School Award

Congratulations to all of our award recipients on their outstanding contributions to the SILS community.

05/26/2026

Congratulations to SILS PhD student Harvey Long on his selection as an intern for Rutgers University’s John Smartt Summer Scholars program!

This prestigious national program provides doctoral students with the opportunity to gain professional experience, network with scholars in the field of higher education and learn essential research and programming skills related to equity and leadership in higher education.

We are proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and opportunity for scholarly growth.

🔗 Learn more about the program: https://cmsi.gse.rutgers.edu/programs/john-smartt-summer-scholars-program

05/24/2026

“Lux Libertas — Light and Liberty.” 💡

In her commencement address, SILS alumna Cassidy Sugimoto reminded graduates of Carolina’s motto and the responsibility that comes with working in the information and library science professions.

“You illuminate what is hidden, you make information discoverable, you shine truth into dark corners. You protect our liberties: intellectual freedom, the right to read and to question, and you ensure that access to knowledge is not a privilege but a right.”

As the newest SILS graduates join both the SILS alumni network and the Tar Heel Nation, we look forward to seeing how they carry this mission into their communities, organizations and professions. 🩵 🐏

🔗 Watch the full commencement address: https://lnkd.in/dZVRPVrU

05/22/2026

“You are a bridging generation.” ✨

“You can speak the language of both the archivist and the algorithm designer. The humanist and the data scientist. The community organizer and the CEO. That fluency is your superpower.”

As SILS graduates step into every sector, the mission remains the same: keeping people at the center of data and information.

Thank you to two-time SILS alumna Cassidy Sugimoto for sharing such a powerful message with our newest graduates at spring commencement. 🎓

🔗 Watch Sugimoto’s full commencement address: https://youtu.be/pENtAb-E_Vo

05/19/2026

Faculty Spotlight: Fei Yu ✨

SILS Assistant Professor Yu is working to bridge the digital divide and improve access to reliable, trustworthy health information in rural North Carolina.

Through partnerships with rural public libraries across the state, Yu and her research team are developing new ways to connect patients, caregivers, families and community health workers with evidence-based prostate cancer information and support resources.

By bringing together information science, health literacy and community engagement, Yu’s work highlights the important role libraries can play in improving access to trusted health information.

The project is supported by the NIH Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM).

🔗 Learn more about Yu and her research: https://buff.ly/BqOkLFZ

05/19/2026

Congratulations to SILS Ph.D. students Lyric Grimes and Viviane Ito on presenting at iConference 2026 this spring! 🎉

Ito, a graduate research assistant with the Center for Technology, Information, and Public Life (CITAP), co-authored with Grimes, examining how AI-generated images portray librarians. The study finds that many images reinforce stereotypes and show how AI can shape representation.

This work contributes to important conversations about artificial intelligence and identity in the information field. We are proud of Grimes and Ito for sharing their research with the broader iSchools community.

05/18/2026

Why do students choose to study information and library science?

"Because they care about helping others, and they want to make a positive difference in the world." — Interim Dean Diane Kelly

We're still celebrating the passion, purpose and impact of our graduates as they begin their next chapter. 🎓🩵

05/14/2026

Join Morehead Planetarium & Science Center on Friday, May 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. for the final Teen Science Cafe of the school year!

In this session, teens will discuss the social impacts of AI with UNC SILS Associate Professor, Principal Investigator at CITAP and UNC School of Data Science and Society MADS Lead Faculty, Francesca Tripodi.

Open to teens ages 13-18, monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers and even free food!

Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. and wraps up around 7:30 p.m.

🔗 Learn more: https://moreheadplanetarium.org/calendar/teen-science-cafe-social-impacts-ai/