The University Libraries is pleased to announce the 2022-23 cohort of Carolina Academic Library Associates (CALAs).
The CALA program provides graduate students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in an academic library during their graduate studies. The program is a collaboration between the University Libraries and Carolina’s School of Information and Library Sciences (SILS).
This year’s cohort brings expertise in history, anthropology, digital communications and archival work.
Ikra Javed
Ikra Javed holds a B.A. in history with honors from Davidson College. Prior to coming to the Libraries, Ikra worked as a digital learning fellow in the Davidson College Library and as a digital communication coordinator in the College. She is also a freelance web designer. Ikra will be working in User Experience with Nora Burmeister.
Denise Mantey
Denise Mantey holds a B.A. in anthropology from Barnard College of Columbia University. Prior to coming to the University Libraries, Denise was a post-baccalaureate fellow at the Empirical Reasoning Center at Barnard College and an archives intern at the Apollo Theater in New York. She is the American Library Association’s 2022 Betty J. Turock Spectrum Scholar. Denise will be working with Nick Graham in University Archives and Records Management.
Alona Norwood
Alona Norwood holds a B.A. in peace and social justice from Berea College. Alona brings experience as a community archivist and podcast affiliate researcher and co-host at Black in Appalachia. She was recently selected to participate in the ARL Kaleidoscope Program for 2022-2024. Alona will be working with Lisa Gregory in the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center.
Saija Wilson
Saija Wilson holds a B.A. in history from Palm Beach Atlantic University and an M.Phil. in early modern history from University of Cambridge, Wolfson College. Saija brings experience as an archives intern at Jesus College Archives in the University of Cambridge. She was also a writing coach for the Center for Writing Excellence at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Saija will be working in Wilson Special Collections Technical Services with Jackie Dean and Eileen Dewitya.
The University Libraries also welcomes back four returning CALAs:
- Brianna McGruder in the Southern historical Collection with Chaitra Powell.
- Rolando Rodriguez in Davis Research and Instructional Services and Digital Research Services with Sarah Morris and Amanda Henley.
- Cas Saroza in the Undergraduate Library and Media and Design Center with Dayna Durbin and Winifred Metz.
- María Tudela in Davis Administration and Research and Instructional Services with Monica Figueroa and Kristan Shawgo
Finally, the Libraries congratulates the CALAs who graduated in Spring 2022!
- Kaylin Blount worked in Repository Services with Julie Rudder. Kaylin is now metadata projects librarian at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries.
- Jordan Green worked in the Kenan Science Library with Therese Triumph. Jordan began a permanent role with the University Libraries in May as science and technology librarian.
- Cassie Tanks worked in University Archives and Records Management with Nick Graham. Cassie is continuing her graduate career as a doctoral student in digital humanities at Northeastern University.
- Felicity Walston worked in User Experience with Chad Haefele. Felicity is now a user experience researcher and product manager at BlueMatrix in Durham.
- Kara Wong worked in Software Development with Jason Casden. Kara joined the University Libraries in a permanent software applications developer role in June.
To learn more about the CALA program, visit the Carolina Academic Library Associates page.
