2016-2017 ALASC Officers
Chair: Tiana Trunta
Hello! My name is Tiana Trutna and I’m lucky to be ALASC’s Chair for a second time. I am starting my 3rd year as a graduate student in SJSU’s Library and Information Sciences program and I am so happy to be part of a program that encourages and ensures the power of literature and learning. With ten years in the non-profit sector working with social justice organizations, I bring a diverse array of experience in event planning and volunteer coordination and I am excited to take on more active role within our program to connect with and learn from you fabulous peers. Cheers!
Co-Chair/Web Coordinator: Molly Jostock
My name is Molly Jostock and I’m honored to serve as the ALASC Co-Chair/Web Coordinator this year. I am entering my second year in the iSchool, and hope to graduate in December 2017. I work at a public library in the Chicago suburbs as a full time reference librarian. Collection development, videogames in libraries, and information literacy are my passions in librarianship. Though managing a website is new to me, I hope to use the webmaster facet of this position to strengthen my skills with WordPress. I see this leadership role as a great way to give back to the awesome program and opportunities available to us at SJSU, and to get to know my fellow students.
Newsletter Editor: Allison Randall Gatt
I am excited to join the ALASC as the editor of the Descriptor. With half a dozen years of blogging, writing and journalism experience I hope to bring vitality and spark to the student chapter’s publication. I am in my sixth year at the iSchool (taking the slow track, having added a pregnancy and birth of twins into the mix) and anticipate graduating in the spring of 2017. My focus is on youth services and early childhood literacy as well as grant writing and really any kind of writing at all. For the past two years, I have been writing the iStudent blog for SJSU’s School of Information. While I have yet to work full-time in a library setting, I have a whole lot of storytime experience—reading, singing, rhyming, crafting and exploring with my three young children. I look forward to serving the ALASC as newsletter editor, sharing the ideas and experiences of the iSchool community.
Secretary/Archivist: J. Elizabeth Abbott-Grasso
Hello, my name is Ellie Abbott-Grasso, and I am honored to be serving as SJSU ALASC’s Secretary/Archivist for 2016-2017. This is my first year in the MLIS program, and I am focusing on academic librarianship with the goal of working in higher education. I look forward to helping create opportunities for iSchool students to connect and engage in the iSchool community. I am a self-employed business owner and manager, and I volunteer as a Job Coach and Shelver at a local public library.
When I’m not working or focusing on my coursework, I enjoy walking, opera, table top gaming, and spending time with my family.
Treasurer: Cindy Hottya
Hello everyone! I am Cindy Hottya and I am thrilled to be a part of ALASC for this coming year as Treasurer. I graduated with a BS in Business Management and am now in my second semester working toward my MLIS.
I currently work as the Elementary Librarian at my kids’ school, serving children from preschool through 6th grade. I would like to eventually shift to high school librarianship in a few years, and back to the business sector after that, managing digital assets. I keep busy with work, full-time school and being a mom to my 3 kids. I am also a student member of the SLA and ASIS&T. I look forward to working with my fellow officers and serving my peers to make this year memorable!
Social Media Manager: Ashleigh Garcia
Hi everyone! My name is Ashleigh Garcia and I am about to begin my last year at SJSU’s iSchool, I hope to graduate in May 2017. I work at a middle school in California and I hope to either work with youth in a public library or work in a university library.
I look forward to working in the ALASC as the social media manager. I hope to share my passion for librarianship and books while in this position. A little bit more about me, I currently live in the Sacramento, California area and I am getting married in October 2016. Along with reading I enjoy blogging book reviews, traveling, learning, and laughing with friends and family. I look forward to working with everyone this school year!
Program Outreach Coordinator: Jessica Flowers
Hello. My name is Jessica Flowers and I am excited to serve as your Program Outreach Coordinator for 2016-2017. I am entering my third semester in the MLIS Program, with a focus on Special Collections. I am currently preparing to retire from my job as an Optometry Technician for the Air Force and am looking forward to a drastic career change. I earned my B.A. in Humanities from University of Maryland University College. I am married and the mother of five children who like to stay involved in many activities. When I am not working, doing schoolwork, or chauffeuring I like to read, write, and hang out with my family. I look forward to learning and growing alongside each of you this year.
Events Coordinator: Stephanie Barnaby
I am currently the Evening Library Supervisor at the Fineman and Pappas Law Libraries at Boston University. I received my BA in Philosophy, with a concentration in Law and Ethics from Northeastern University here in Boston in 2012 and am currently working on my MLIS online through SJSU. Prior to working at BU Law, I was the Assistant General Merchandise Manager at the Northeastern University Bookstore and worked in various areas at the Northeastern School of Law Library as a work-study position which helped to solidify my decision to change careers to libraries. Currently serving as the Regional Events Coordinator for the SJSU Student Chapter of the American Libraries Association (ALA), I’m excited to connect more with my fellow students! I have been an active member of the ALA for the past year also serving the Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) on the Membership Committee since January of this year. I’m also a student member of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and the Law Librarians of New England (LLNE).