Drexel College of Computing & Informatics MS in Information - Library and Information Science student Allie Genia was recently named a 2020 Spectrum Scholar by the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services.
Genia is among 61 exceptional students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies to receive the award. ALA noted that this year’s application cycle was one of the most competitive to date, receiving four times as many applications as there were available scholarships.
Genia was selected by a prestigious committee of 22 jurors for on her commitment to community building, leadership potential and planned contributions to making social justice part of everybody's everyday work in the library and information science field.
Born and raised in Michigan, Genia is a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. “I grew up going to powwows as a dancer with my family and am looking forward to getting back into dancing when it’s safe again,” said Genia. “I’m currently (slowly) working on regalia for my sister and I!”
She currently lives in the Washington, DC Metro area where she works as a library associate in the DC Public Library’s Labs and designs makerspace programming, particularly for children.
A first-generation LIS student, Genia believes that libraries should be open to all. “It’s really important to me to make any library space that I’m a part of accessible and to prioritize BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ voices whenever possible,” said Genia. “I’m also the vice president of my AFSCME local and it definitely informs how I fight for my fellow workers."
Genia says she is “extremely excited” to be a part of the Spectrum Scholar community. “It’s already been a really positive and uplifting experience,” she said. “I’ve also been able to connect with a few scholars from previous cohorts in my library system, too. I’m really thrilled and still have trouble believing it!”
To learn more about the Spectrum Scholarship Program, visit ala.org/spectrum.