August 18th, 2021 (Lexington, Kentucky) The School of Information Science would like to congratulate these students on recieving LIS scholarships for the Fall 2021 semester.

Sylina Adkins

Sylina is a Technical Services Manager from Paris, KY. She graduated from Transylvania University with a BA in Political Science and Gender Studies in 2015. She is now pursuing her MLIS from the University of Kentucky. Her favorite academic interest is promoting equality and diversity in public libraries. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their chihuahua, Pickles. 

Jay Averill

My name is Jay Averill. I am pursuing a Masters of Library and Information Science Degree starting in Fall 2021. I have over 2 years of experience working in public library systems. Before that, I spent a decade in public education as an elementary school teacher. I look forward to learning more about information and library systems to better match library programs/databases with community needs.

Raeshelle Cooke

Raeshelle Cooke is a first-year Library and Information Science student at the University of Kentucky. She currently works as a Library Assistant IV - Night Supervisor at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth's Claire T Carney Library, where she supervises both the circulation and learning commons departments, as well as the COVID cleaning team. She has worked for college and university libraries for over 11 years. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue academic librarianship in research instruction and collection development. She takes an interest in economic empowerment and financial literacy, and writes and directs short films in her spare time. 

Vaidehi Franks

I grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, moved to the United States when I was 15 years old. I became a member of Civil Air Patrol for almost 4 years in my youth and continuously pursued a higher education throughout the years. I was able to get my bachelors degree while my family grew. I worked as the Innovation Specialist for the Marine Base Library for almost 3 years, which motivated me to pursue my Masters in Library Science. I enjoy learning, reading, technology, teaching, fitness, music and helping others. 

Jacqueline Gagne

Jacqueline Gagne was born in Florida, but moved to Kentucky to attend the University of Louisville where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in English. Jacqueline is entering her second semester at the University of Kentucky for a degree in Library Science and has worked for the Louisville Free Public Library for seven years. Her favorite parts of her job include interacting with patrons and working with others on creating unique program ideas. In her spare time, Jacqueline enjoys taking her dog on walks, practicing different crafts, and listening to far too many podcasts. 

Elainé Gollihue

Elainé graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in History and Anthropology and a minor in Folklore & Mythology. She is currently working towards an MA in Applied Anthropology and an MS in Library Science. After graduation, she hopes to work with anthropological collections in museums and archives.

Liliana Gonzalez

Liliana Gonzalez is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. In addition to her educational pursuit, she will continue working as a library assistant for a public library. She graduated from the University of Colorado – Denver with honors with a bachelor’s degree in English Writing. She loves reading, spending time with her fiancé, and attempting to teach her cats how to walk on a leash.

Kaylee Horn

Kaylee Horn is an alumna of Berea College with a BA in English Literature and is expected to graduate UK in May 2022 with a Master’s in Library Information Science. Her interests include graphic novels, manga, all areas of the library, and instruction. Kaylee is also a Features Reviewer for No Flying No Tights and currently resides in Berea, Kentucky.

Julia Manning

Julia Manning is from Richmond, Kentucky, but currently lives in the Northern Kentucky area. She graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in English: Creative Writing track. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s in Library Science and is a member of Sigma Tau Delta: International English Honor Society.

Meredith Mullins

Growing up in western Kentucky, Meredith Mullins always dreamed of becoming a public librarian after spending her childhood summers in her local library. After she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Murray State University in 2019, Meredith applied to the University of Kentucky’s Library Science program. Since then, she has been pursuing her Master of Science in Library Science degree and working in her local public library. In her spare time, Meredith enjoys reading, learning languages, and spending time with her two cats.  

Danielle Underhill

I attended Eastern Kentucky University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Music.  However, after realizing the music industry was not where my heart truly belonged, I began pondering what I truly wanted to do with my life.  That's when I realized, with my love of books, learning, and helping children the obvious choice for me was to go back to school so I could earn a MLIS and become a Children's and Youth Services Librarian.  By working in youth services, I hope to be a driving force for literacy for today’s youth.  Children of all backgrounds deserve a chance to expand their minds and unleash their imaginations and public libraries are the perfect place to do just that!  They’re a wonderful resource that provides virtually endless books, media, and educational classes for everyone-starting at infancy.  It’s for that reason that I want to be a part of that environment, to have the opportunity to brighten our children’s futures and ultimately make their lives better. 

Sarah Woodall

Sarah Woodall currently resides in Alexandria, Kentucky. She began her MLIS degree at the University of Kentucky in Summer 2021. She previously studied Government, English, and Public Administration at Morehead State University. Sarah has worked for the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission and in public education but is excited to pursue her dream of obtaining a library science degree. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in a public library, connecting Kentuckians with innovative resources and diverse programming. (Her lifelong goal is to drive a Bookmobile.) In her free time, she enjoys quilting, hiking with her dog, Ferris Bueller, and reading into the wee hours of the night.