2026 Student Scholarship Recipients
UW Libraries recognizes the achievements of our outstanding student employees during Student Employee Appreciation Week, and an annual scholarship award, generously sponsored by UW Libraries donors. On April 8, we celebrated this year’s 55 new scholarship recipients with a reception honoring their amazing contributions.
Library and UW Press student workers represent undergraduates and graduate students from many different areas of study across all three UW campuses.
Only 25% of student employees are focusing their studies on libraries and information science. Students who work at the Libraries come different academic interests across all schools and departments.
As one of the largest employers of student workers on campus, our student employees are essential to Libraries’ operations – while they literally keep the doors open, lights on and books on shelves, they are also peer mentors, writers, designers, engineers, technicians and instructors! UW Libraries’ student employees are truly amazing, and this year’s scholarship class exemplifies the dedication, creativity and joy that our students bring to their jobs every day.
Contributions of the 2026 class of student scholarship recipients include:
- Contributed significantly to the redesign of the Libraries new web site
- Processed the personal papers of a renowned UW scholar making them accessible to future researchers
- Co-curated a new collection and design of a new physical reading space at the Tateuchi East Asia Library
- Helped students create online museums for an art history class
- Worked with international colleagues to help edit an artist’s ethnography for a documentary film studio
- Facilitated course-wide updates and accessibility features for the Graduate Student Research Institute
- Created lesson plans and taught research workshops for first year students
- Facilitated student assessments and co-design of a new wellness space in Odegaard Library
- Worked with Preservation Services to identify fragile books in need of repair
- Designed curriculum kits for middle and high school classes teaching labor history and archival literacy skills
- Re-designed workflows resulting in more user-friendly printing services
- Wrote code for an international project transforming bibliographic records
- AND SO MUCH MORE…
Video TBD: UW Libraries Student Reception featuring remarks from Dean of University Libraries, Simon Neame; keynote by Dwight Johnson ’84 and stories from student scholarship recipients Tynan Challenor and Teresa Li.
In their own words: how has working at UW Libraries & Press supported your personal, academic, or professional growth?
Scholarship recipients are asked to answer this question in their application essay. Common themes across all applicants included improving communication skills and confidence, finding direction and preparing for their future career path, building community, and satisfaction in helping the diverse community of UW Libraries users.
The following are excerpts* from some of this year’s student essays:
“Working in Special Collections has given me the foundation for my education and life. From providing me with mentors who help put ambiguous post-grad life into perspective to research patrons from around the world who inspire me to find my thread of passion and never stop learning, the position has been the foundation and support system of my collegiate experience.” – Cadence
“Being trusted with my own project, in which I oversee the planning and execution, has shown me that I am capable of this work, and that the people I work with trust me to do it well. I am grateful to have such support for my professional growth in a student employee position.” – Lilly
“I learned to slow down, look closely, and understand how small decisions affect the longevity of an entire collection. This mindset naturally carried over into my academic life. I read more thoughtfully, organize my work more carefully, and approach projects with a stronger sense of responsibility. Seeing up close gives me a sense of connection to histories I never would have encountered in my daily classes.” – Lois
“I have been more intentional about how I consume knowledge, thanks to my time at UW libraries. Having served at all eight UW library branches, I have witnessed the countless intellectual paths these libraries make possible.”- Chloe
“Our responsibilities as student assistants, with all the nuances, technicalities, and discipline, encompass the robust hard skillsets that I firmly believe are valuable at any future job I may find.” – Vincent
“This experience has helped me grow…as my first, big “real world” UX collaboration, and it taught me how to work with a diverse team, communicate respectfully, and turn messy human observations into actionable design decisions. It also confirmed for me that UX is what I want to do, because I care about making systems feel easier, kinder, and more human.”- Angelita
“Guiding faculty to books in the stacks, helping a student avoid exorbitant textbook costs by pointing her towards the Interlibrary Loan system, pulling an ancient economics journal from auxiliary stacks – and seeing the patron’s face light up as he found an article written by his great-grandfather; all these were rewarding moments that truly made me feel like I was serving the community. Working in the circulation department gave me a taste of library work, and with it, the realization that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I’m incredibly grateful for my time thus far working for UW libraries, because, above all, it’s given me a real vision for my future, and a career I hope to pursue.” -Tom
“I have been able to actively develop skills essential to becoming a more well-rounded researcher such as adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication with individuals who have diverse needs.” – Vannary
“In learning to protect the stories of books, I have begun to understand my own: growth is not something I chase forward, but something I inherit, preserve, and eventually pass on. Working at UW Libraries has taught me that we do not merely process books, we extend their lives. Whether stamping new arrivals or digitizing old ones, we are all participating in the same mission: preserving stories so they may outlive us, and perhaps someday, let our fingerprints be found, too.” – Teresa
“This job has allowed me to grow my social skills, make connections, and gain perspectives that I would have never otherwise gotten. Talking to so many upperclassmen, in such a diverse set of fields, has given me great perspective about those fields, and I feel that I can make better career choices. Most important to me, I’ve made great relationships with my coworkers.” – Sidarth
“Working at the library has renewed my excitement for learning. Just from my conversations with patrons and fellow employees, I have discovered research topics that have expanded my own research interests in psychology and music.” – Polina
” What I appreciate most is how this job connected my childhood love of libraries with the person I am becoming. Working at UW Libraries & Press has helped shape my growth in ways I will carry long after I graduate.” – Mofe
“Working at the Libraries has shown me how engineering can make a tangible difference in spaces built for everyone.” -Nirnkaar
“…most of all it has given me the opportunity to build the most supportive and giving professional network I’ve ever had.” – Michell
“I the diversity of backgrounds has helped me learn a lot about what is possible, and has increased my confidence in all facets of my life.” – Grace
“Working at the library, I have learned more than I thought possible and I feel lucky to have become a member of this empowering community. I am deeply grateful for the amazing people I have found and the skills I have built along the way, which I will take with me for the rest of my life.” – Indigo
“The job has shaped my confidence, not only in a professional sense but has helped me bloom into an independent, excited, and curious individual. As I move closer to my graduation in spring 2026, I know that the community I have been a part of in the Libraries will help me succeed.”– Cole
I can proudly share the work I’ve done in my portfolio and transfer these skills to any future endeavors. These opportunities and processes have grown my artistic skillset and given me a platform which I can professionally grow.” – Elena
*some quotes have been edited slightly for length and clarity.
About the Fund
The Libraries Student Employee Scholarship Program was established in 1998. Since its inception, with the support of more than 750 donors, the program has QUADRUPLED its impact from 5 students in 1998 to 55 students today! Each student is awarded a $1,000 scholarship. To date, more than $545,500 has been awarded to 570 students!
Our sincere thanks to all who have contributed to this special initiative. TOGETHER, you have made a lasting impact for each awardee.
If you would like to make a gift to support UW Libraries student employee scholarships, visit the giving page, or contact Libraries Advancement to discuss ways of including the Libraries in the landscape of your philanthropy.