Faculty Advisor : Alison Johnson

Alison Johnson serves as the faculty advisor for ALASC. She is a full-time Lecturer at the iSchool focusing on INFO 202 Information Retrieval System Design. Formerly, she was an academic librarian and loved working in the areas of reference, interlibrary loan, access services, systems, marketing, and information literacy. She lives in Indiana where she enjoys spending time outdoors amidst the cornfields, cooking, eating, and reading to her children.

Chair : Cat Tang

Cat Tang (she/her) began SJSU’s MLIS program in spring 2023 and currently works for two different city public libraries in Los Angeles County, providing youth services and leading her library’s adult literacy program. She is part of the 2025-2026 ALA Spectrum Scholar cohort and now in her final year of the MLIS program, set to graduate in spring 2026. Having previously served as Social Media Assistant, Events Assistant, and Events Coordinator since joining ALASC in summer 2023, she endeavors to use her institutional knowledge to build a strong foundation for ALASC and ensure its longevity & success continues after she graduates.

When she’s not busy with work and school, Cat loves getting outdoors and being physically active, reading, gaming, and creating art. She invites you to connect with her! [LinkedIn | webpage]

Vice Chair and Membership Coordinator : Eddie Lagos

 
I started off in library work as a school librarian for a private school in the Bay area. I moved back to southern California where I began working for a public library doing outreach. I now work for the San Bernardino County library as a library assistant. I am interested in academic librarianship and digital preservation. I enjoy playing music, watching movies and photography.

Treasurer : Saleha Khan

I started my MLIS at San José State University in fall 2024. I have a background in Business Administration and currently work at a rural public library in California, where my experience has focused on providing administrative support. I’m interested in how libraries can engage with data to inform services, support research, and enhance access to information. I’m interested in exploring ways to improve access, particularly for underserved and rural populations, and I hope to contribute to developing programs that address community needs. I find the evolving role of libraries as spaces for learning, innovation, and connection to be an area worth following.

Secretary/Archivist : James Le

Hello, I’m James and I’m currently in my first year of the MLIS Program. I previously worked in Student Services programs for community colleges. I love working with students and helping people in their academic journey. During my last position, I realized my passion for librarianship and now I am currently pursuing my MLIS to either become an academic librarian or an archivist. During my free time, I enjoy gaming, music, sewing, working out, and going to concerts. 

Blogging Coordinator : VACANT

Blogging Assistant : Andrea Patlan

This is my second year enrolled in SJSU’s MLIS graduate program and I am excited to join ALASC as a Blogging Assistant! I am born and raised in LA County and I currently work as a paraprofessional in a public library. When not at work or doing classwork, I am usually scrolling TikTok, trying to catch up on my regular manga/ webtoon series, crying over pictures of miniature schnauzers, or adding books to my endless TBR list.

Blogging Assistant : Megan West

Megan (she/her) is in her second semester of the MLIS program. She has interests in public, academic, and medical libraries. In her current role, she works for a medical school supporting students in their pathway programs as an academic writing specialist. Her passion lies in health equity, making health information and health literacy services accessible to underserved communities. Megan also works at her local public library as a Library Assistant. When she isn’t working or studying, she can be found knitting or walking her dog, Claude.

Blogging Assistant : Sara Asad Syed

Hi my name is Sara and I’m thrilled to be a part of the blogging team at ALASC! After completing my Bachelor’s in History from King’s College London, I got to work in one of the top research libraries in the UK (there are only 5!). In Spring 2025, I began my MLIS at SJSU and hope to specialise in academic librarianship but I’m also interested in learning more about AI, data, and ethics. I want to increase access to resources in my community and advocate for diversity and inclusion in mainstream academia. In my free time, you will find me getting lost in a good book or experimenting with recipes in my kitchen.

Events Coordinator : Polya Tocheva

Polya Tocheva began the MLIS program in Fall 2024. For the past decade, she has worked in both public-facing and technical services roles at an academic law library, with plans to continue her career in law librarianship. Earlier in her professional life, Polya taught literature at the undergraduate level, and her enduring interest in Renaissance poetry continues to shape the way she thinks about stories and learning. Originally from Bulgaria, she now lives in Connecticut with her husband and young son. Outside of work and study, she has cultivated a deep passion for the science of reading and early literacy.

Events Coordinator : Yuna Miyamoto

Yuna (she/they) is in their third semester of SJSU’s MLIS program. Formerly they taught early childhood/elementary students in private and public schools. Libraries have always played a huge role in their life as a student and teacher. One of Yuna’s favorite parts about teaching was storytelling and sharing their love for books. Yuna dreams of becoming a librarian for young children to foster their joy and excitement for books and reading.
As ALASC’s Events Coordinator, Yuna is excited to plan memorable and meaningful events for students to develop professionally and connect personally. She looks forward to meeting new people and creating opportunities for everyone to have fun and learn something new.
In their free time, they enjoy hiking, scrapbooking and snuggling with their fur babies. They have two cats and a dog and live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her partner.

Social Media Coordinator (Fall 2025) : Jacklyn Roussin

I  started as a Children’s Programming Librarian in August 2022 and shortly after decided to embark on my MLIS journey. Before that, I worked in the public schools and have my teaching license for PreK-2nd grade. As I move through the MLIS degree, I plan to focus on youth services. In my free time I love to read, cook, go for walks, and watch TV (especially Gilmore Girls on repeat). I’m a huge Disney fan and love doing themed movie/dinner nights. I also enjoy spending time on my bookstagram (Instagram account dedicated mostly to books) through creating graphics for it, posting reviews, and connecting with others within the bookstagram community.

Social Media Assistant (Fall 2025) : Wendy Thompson

After sitting on the fence for several years, Wendy Thompson (she/her) finally took the leap to pursue her MLIS degree from San José State University in the Fall of 2023. Wendy graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2005 with a B.S. in Kinesiology, which she applied to a career in youth sports administration and
management for several years. As a devoted mother of two (Anna-12; Brayden-10), and supportive Army spouse, Wendy has seen her family through the rigors of Army family life for the past 20 years. With her husband’s retirement on the not-so-distant horizon, her family now gives her their full support as she pursues a new career in teen services librarianship, with aspirations of one day serving and supporting youth in a socially conscious library. Wendy currently lives at Fort Leavenworth, KS (until the Army says otherwise!) and enjoys all forms of family time, reading, hiking with her dog, supporting her daughter’s love of theater, coaching her son’s competitive soccer team, and volunteering her time caring for the dogs at her local animal shelter.

Social Media Coordinator (Spring 2026) : Jacob Sepulveda

Hello everyone! My name is Jacob Sepulveda (he/they), and I just started my MLIS program this semester (Fall 2025). I am currently a Senior Student Academic Success Specialist at San José State University, where I help lower-division students adjust to SJSU by offering academic advising and connecting them with resources both on campus and throughout the city of San José. Before this, I taught Kindergarten STEM for five years and had the opportunity to develop a schoolwide Social Emotional Learning curriculum. I hope to go into public librarianship and serve the broader community. In my free time, I enjoy reading (romance, graphic novels, and memoirs), trying new coffee and food spots, spending time with friends, going to concerts, watching all franchises of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and playing my Nintendo Switch.

Social Media Assistant (Spring 2026) : Allicia Dean

Allicia (she/her) is in her second semester in the MLIS program. She currently works for a city public library in Los Angeles County, where she conducts outreach and programs and leads the mobile library. She is passionate about library services and promoting literacy for youth and hopes to one day become a public librarian. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading, playing video games, and spending time with her three dogs.

Social Media Assistant (Spring 2026) : Devina Martinez

Devina (she/her) is a first-semester student in the MLIS program. She holds a BA in English with a concentration in Professional and Technical Writing and an MA in Chicano and Chicana Studies, both from San José State University. Devina is thrilled to be back at SJSU and is exploring career paths in public librarianship and archival work. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her two cats.

Social Media Assistant (Spring 2026) : Lindsey Allen

Lindsey (she/her) is in her first semester of SJSU’s MLIS program. She completed her BA in history at University of Maryland, College Park where she worked part-time as a student library assistant. Lindsey is passionate about working in an environment that fosters learning and education through books and archives that inform the public about history in all its forms. She now works as a part time information staff member at her local public library. When she is not working or studying, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and visiting museums.

Website Coordinator : VACANT

Interim Secretary/Archivist (Fall 2025): Jacklyn Roussin

I  started as a Children’s Programming Librarian in August 2022 and shortly after decided to embark on my MLIS journey. Before that, I worked in the public schools and have my teaching license for PreK-2nd grade. As I move through the MLIS degree, I plan to focus on youth services. In my free time I love to read, cook, go for walks, and watch TV (especially Gilmore Girls on repeat). I’m a huge Disney fan and love doing themed movie/dinner nights. I also enjoy spending time on my bookstagram (Instagram account dedicated mostly to books) through creating graphics for it, posting reviews, and connecting with others within the bookstagram community.

Blogging Coordinator : Alex Guo

Heyo! I’m Alex (He/Him) and I have a B.S. in Computer Science and I’m a first year in the MLIS program. I used to work at Amazon as a software engineer. I burned out and hated knowing my code wasn’t doing anything to help people. Since then I’ve decided to do more good in the world and I think being a librarian is that good. I’m interested in all things software engineering and tech as well as anthropology and anything to do with humans and the systems we create. I believe in the power of everyone’s internal universe and there’s no such thing as a boring person. I hope to become a zine / comics librarian some day! linkedin | email

Events Coordinator (Fall 2025) : Jenna Williamson

Hi everyone! My name is Jenna, I’m a hopeful academic librarian, and I love to write. I’m looking forward to bringing some engaging and thoughtful events to the iSchool community this year!

Website Coordinator : Sierra McGee

Sierra (she/her) is a Digital Literacy Librarian from West Virginia. She is passionate about reducing the stigma around lack of education, because through this she feels more people will be willing to step forward and gain more knowledge.

She is grateful to the experiences and different perspectives she has gained through growing up and living in Appalachia, and strives to help support and benefit her community, and to foster welcoming and safe spaces. LinkedIn Email