Spotlight on Student Worker Olivia Homish

Olivia Homish was referred to us by the CTLE for a work-study position within the Library at the start of her sophomore year in 2013. Now, as she heads toward graduation this May with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, the Library Dean’s Office would like to take a moment to recognize Olivia’s hard work and dedication to our office over the last four years.

A second generation Royal and a native of Archbald, Olivia, was familiar with the University’s reputation and beautiful campus early on. During the past several years, Olivia’s enjoyed interacting with the kind and friendly students, faculty, and staff the University of Scranton is known for. The Dean’s office relied on Olivia to assist in office tasks with professionalism and congeniality, which she did with ease. She not only worked for us the last six semesters, you could also find her in the office over intersession and summer breaks.

Now that she’s a senior, Olivia would encourage other students to ask questions while in the Library; there are a lot of resources for students to use, which they might not be aware of.  Her favorite classes were her management classes and she also participated in Business Club. Olivia’s favorite movie is The Dark Knight, and she enjoys working out when she’s not in class. One fun fact about Olivia is she’s not done with her studies yet—she plans to pursue her M.B.A.! When she’s finished, she hopes to find work in healthcare management.

Olivia is a tremendous asset to our office, and will be hard to replace. Thank you, Olivia, for all your hard work. We wish you all the best!

Spotlight on Student Worker Melisa Gallo

bandbMelisa Gallo of Scranton, PA began her studies here in the Fall of 2012. One of her good friends, who also worked in the library, referred her to a job in Circulation Services at the end of her freshman year.  She began working at the start of the Fall 2013 semester and she’s been with us ever since.

Melisa studies Psychology and hopes to become a clinical psychologist. Dr. Orr, Dr. Karpiak and Dr. Norcross are her favorite professors.  She especially enjoys her Abnormal Psychology class as well as her Field Experience in clinical settings.  She is treasurer of the Psychology Club on campus.  She is also an active member of the Association for Psychological Sciences Caucus (APSSC), the Scranton Neuroscience Society, the Asia Club and Autism speaks U: The University of Scranton.

When she’s not studying or working, Melisa enjoys reading and watching movies. That’s why she feels like she belongs working in the library where she’s comfortable and enjoys the atmosphere. It’s exciting for her to see all of the new books firsthand and the Media department has many of her favorite movies to watch.  Her favorite book is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.  Her favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast.  Another interesting hobby of hers is playing the alto saxophone.

Her advice to other students is to take advantage of all the library has to offer. Explore the Library’s collection and remember Interlibrary loan services when you can’t find what you need here!

Melisa is proud of her French-Canadian heritage and enjoys traveling to Canada to visit family. She also had a remarkable trip to Ireland that she will never forget.

Thank you Melisa! We hope you continue to go places!

Spotlight on Student Worker: Brandon McKenzie

A psychology major from Westchester, New York Brandon McKenzie began working in Media Resources/EdLab in the fall of 2014 and as his graduation date gets closer, the Library would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment.

Brandon is helpful and friendly to all patrons and his interest in films and theater make him a great fit for Media Resources/EdLab. He is involved in the Liva Arts Company, a non-profit, student-run organization designed to serve the academic, social, and cultural needs of the University of Scranton. It produces two musicals each year. Last spring Brandon played the part of Roger in Rent and he will be playing Doody in the upcoming production of Grease. He’s also a member of Colleges Against Cancer, a club that plans events on campus to raise money for the American Cancer Society and brings awareness about cancer to the student body. His hobbies include playing music and reading, and his favorite books are the Maze Runner series. Something people would be surprised to learn about Brandon is that he is in an episode in the second season of The Good Wife.

Brandon has a variety of interests and his career aspirations include being a counseling psychologist, actor, musician and personal trainer.

Thank you for your hard work Brandon and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

Spotlight on Student Worker – Olivia Gillespie

Olivia Gillespie of Ocean City, New Jersey began studying at The University of Scranton in the fall of 2012 as an Exercise Science major. Before the end of the spring 2013 semester, she had changed her major to English Literature with minors in Spanish and Theology. It was just around that time when she approached me at the Circulation Desk inquiring about a work-study position. We corresponded over the summer and she began her work here at the Circulation desk with the start of the fall 2013 semester.

She loves being able to watch the campus community as they pass through the library. Her job allows her to meet new people while meeting their needs. She advises fellow students to utilize the library. There are so many librarians and resources that can inform you and make your education easier and more fulfilling.

Olivia is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English National Honor Society. She enjoys writing stories and poems. She’s won the Berrier Prose Award for her entries in Esprit, a literary magazine published by the students of The University of Scranton. In fact, Olivia is currently its Editor-in-Chief! She tutors English students in the CTLE and last semester she was a teaching assistant for Freshman Seminar.

Though English is her first language, she loves studying Spanish and Portuguese. Not only can she speak in all three languages, but she dreams in all three languages every night! In her spare time, she enjoys beat boxing and rapping. Her favorite movie is The World According to Garp.

Currently, Olivia is a semi-national finalist for a Fulbright Scholarship. If selected, she will travel to Brazil in March of 2017 to teach English in a college classroom. Her career aspirations are to become either a teacher, a lawyer or an interpreter or perhaps all of the above. Whatever the future brings, we wish her all the best.

Thank you Olivia!

Spotlight on Student Worker – Brianna Blozen

Brianna Blozen of Nutley, New Jersey has been a student worker in the Library since the Fall of 2013. You’ll find her most evenings, working at the Circulation Desk where she loves the atmosphere and seeing her friends and professors moving through. She enjoys helping other students and advises them to save money by looking in the Library first before spending too much money on required readings.

Bri is a Counseling and Human Services major who is planning a career as a parole/probation officer after graduation in May. She is an active member of the Counseling and Human Services Association. The club’s moderator, Dr. Paul Datti is her favorite professor.

When Bri is not studying or working, she volunteers her time in the community whenever possible. In her spare time, she enjoys watching television and hanging out with her friends. Her favorite movie is West Side Story.

A fun fact about Bri is that she loves cats! She loved her cat Sheena so much that her face is tattooed across her back. In warmer months to come, you just might see Sheena peeking out over the edge of a tank top!

Thank you Bri!

Spotlight on Student Worker Kerry Callahan

Kerry Callahan is in the student worker spotlight this week. A native of Garden City, New York Kerry graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science in May 2013 and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Physical Therapy. Kerry has been at The University for seven years and has worked in Media Resources/EdLab for the last three. During those three years Kerry has demonstrated a professional attitude, willingness to take on new projects and exceptional organizational skills. She has assisted patrons, and taken inventory of materials, but she most enjoys choosing films for the display table and previewing new films.

The set hours at the Library help Kerry organize her busy schedule, which includes being a full-time student and also working for the Catering Department. She enjoys reading and her favorite books are the Harry Potter series. Her favorite movie is Lord of the Rings. Always active, Kerry participates in several Intramural sports including Kickball, Ultimate Frisbee and Flag Football. She is a member of the Physical Therapy Club and the Journal Club where members go over a primary research or review paper. The goal of the club is to help students with reading, writing and presenting scientific literature.

Kerry has learned a great deal about the Library’s resources over the years and her advice to other students is that they should ask for assistance and not make assumptions about what is or is not available.

In the spring semester Kerry will be traveling. In February she’ll go to California to present research about cardiac surgery and depression and after that she’s off to Albuquerque, New Mexico and Washington, D.C. to complete her clinical internships.

Thank you, Kerry, for all you hard work for the Library. We wish you all the best!

Spotlight on Student Worker Farishta Abdullahi

Farishta- Special Collections-3The Library is proud to spotlight one of its hardworking student workers, Farishta Abdullahi. This is Farishta’s fourth year in the McHugh Special Collections & University Archives, and her primary work includes processing negatives from the Terry and Paula Connors Photograph Collection and accessioning records from the Office of the Provost into the University Archives.  Every spring Farishta also volunteers at the Friends of the Weinberg Library Annual Book Sale.

Although much of Farishta’s work takes place behind the scenes, she always maintains a high work ethic, and she says that she enjoys the quiet satisfaction of processing and organizing the archival records. She says that she even finds it relaxing!

Farishta is an Accounting major with a minor in Arabic, and she is actually fluent in four languages, including Urdu and Hindi! She plans to graduate in May 2016 and become a Certified Public Accountant.

This past summer Farishta was a marketing intern in the Women’s Entrepreneurship Center and Small Business Development Center at the University of Scranton. Throughout the summer she promoted the Center’s activities and provided individual assistance to women who were interested in exploring the possibility of starting their own business. She also wrote informational blog posts on a variety of business topics, including Sustainable Product Ideas, Challenges of Owning a Seasonal Business, and Improving Credit When Starting a Small Business.

This semester, along with balancing her course work and work-study hours, she is interning at Tatulli & Associates, an accounting, tax, and financial consulting firm in Dunmore.

When Farishta finally has some down time, she enjoys watching Asian dramas and playing with her 6 month old niece.

Farishta’s advice to other University of Scranton students is that the Library has a lot to offer – take advantage of it!

Thank you, Farishta, for all of your support to the Library!

Spotlight on Student Worker Julianna Sacco

Student Worker Celebration 031

This week the student spotlight is on Julianna Sacco of Kinderhook, New York.  Julianna, a Health Administration major, began working for Circulation Services in the Fall of 2013.  She understands what it means to work hard.  Before attending The University of Scranton, she assisted her father in the family funeral home business.  She enjoys working in the library because there is always something new to learn and Julianna always learns quickly.

And if being a full-time student and working in the library isn’t enough, Julianna also works for the Catering Department. In fact, students working for catering aren’t allowed to take time off during the last month or so of the semester, so when one of her scheduled catering shifts conflicted with the WML Student Work Study Celebration at the library last week, she volunteered to cater the event just so she could be in attendance!

She is an active member of the Health Administration Society and Dr. Spinelli is her favorite Professor. When she’s not busy with her studies and her work, she enjoys watching movies, reading, snowboarding and traveling.  Her favorite book is The Departed and her favorite movie is Gone With the Wind.

After Graduation in May, Julianna will continue her Graduate studies here at The University of Scranton.  Her advice to other students is to utilize the resources the library has to offer – especially the Reference librarians who are very helpful in locating resources.

Congratulations, Julianna, on your upcoming graduation. We’re all looking forward to you continuing your work and studies here in the Weinberg Memorial Library!

 

Spotlight on Student Worker Erica Brown

Almost four years ago, Erica Brown came from Baltimore, Maryland, to study Psychology at the University of Scranton. Right away, she came to the library and applied for a workstudy position. After talking to her about her work experience as a resident leader in a nursing home, and hearing her speak so passionately about taking care of people, I could see her pleasant personality and level of patience made her a perfect candidate to work in a customer service position.

Erica enjoys the environment of the library as well as the flexibility of her schedule. If she’s not working a shift at the Circulation Desk, you’ll often find her doing schoolwork here. She is a strong advocate for the library, advising fellow students to “Use the services the library has to offer for studying and researching!”

Erica is an active member of the Psychology Club. She also volunteers at St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen and the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. She enjoys photography, games, outdoor activities, and reading.

Some Erica Fun Facts: her deep fondness and fascination for hippopotami; her 15 tattoos (one of which, you guessed it, is a hippopotamus); her favorite class is Abnormal Psychology and her favorite book/movie is Fight Club.

After graduating in May, Erica will continue to care for the elderly by pursuing a career as a social worker with a focus on gerontology and Alzheimer patients.  We wish her all the best!

Thank you Erica!!

Spotlight on Student Workers: Janis Segura

An interest in movies motivated Janis Segura to apply for work in Media Resource/EdLab, and the Library would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication. A senior majoring in Finance, Janis is from Red Bank, New Jersey. She chose The University because the values of social justice and service appealed to her.

Janis is friendly and helpful to all Library patrons. She quickly became proficient in using Sierra and when patrons need assistance, she can quickly point them in the direction of films or books that will best meet their needs. Her favorite things about working in the library are the friendly staff and getting to see the new films that arrive. Her advice for other students is to borrow materials from Media Resources because it offers a variety of feature films in addition to educational material. Her favorite books are the Maze Runner Series and her favorite films are the Dark Knight Trilogy and Whiplash. Her favorite professor is Keith Yurgosky.

In addition to her studies and work in the Library, Janis volunteers with The SMART Program at Scranton High School, and she will begin volunteering with Junior Achievement in a local grade school this month. Her career goals are to work in finance and eventually become a math teacher.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation Janis! We wish you all the best!