Alexandrea "Allie" Penn is in her first year of the SIS program. She was recently awarded the winter 2017 Ronald Raven Annual Award for her work at the Walter P. Reuther Library.

1. What's your name? What degree you are seeking? What semester/year do you expect to graduate?

a. My name is Alexandrea Penn but I go by Allie. I am working on my MLIS degree with a focus of Archival Administration, and an MA degree in History. I expect to graduate in Fall 2018.

2. Where are you from originally? Did you move to the Detroit area to attend school or are you living elsewhere?

a. I am originally from Bay City, Michigan. I have been in Detroit about six months now. I did move down here to go to school.

3. What other degrees do you have and where are they from?

a. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and History from Northern Michigan University.

4. Why did you choose Wayne State School of Information Sciences?

a. I chose Wayne State because I liked the opportunity to complete both an MLIS degree and an MA in history at the same time.

5. What area are you specializing in? Why?

a. I am specializing in Archival Administration. I was able to transcribe part of a lighthouse log while working for the Michigan Iron Industry Museum for the past two summers. This opportunity pushed me towards preserving historical documents and history for future generations.

6. Where/What format do you take most of your classes? Why?

a. I take the majority of my classes in-person because I live on campus and prefer the face-to-face contact, but I also take some of my courses online.

7. Are you active in any student organizations?

a. I am a member of Society of American Archivists and president of the Wayne State Chapter of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance.

8. How has your involvement in student organizations impacted your SIS experience?

a. Being a member of student groups allows for additional networking opportunities, but also for other informational opportunities that may not be provided within classes.

9. Are you currently doing any library, Digital Content Management, Archives or Information Management related work? If so, how has the program prepared you for it?

a. I currently work at the Reuther Library as a library page. Additionally, I am completing work for the Raven Award and at the Burton with photo collections. This work lines up with the class I am taking currently about audiovisual preservation. It's good to take that information that you learn in class and put it into practice.

10. What are you most proud of in your time as a student at SIS?

a. I am most proud of the oral history I was able to complete as part of the Oral History course (LIS 7770) here on campus.

11. Is there a professor who has really impacted your journey into becoming a librarian or information professional?

a. I have been very fortunate in not only just one professor or professional aiding me but have had numerous advisers and mentors guiding me along my journey.

12. Since joining the program, what do you feel is the most important or surprising thing you've learned about the library and information science profession?

a. Don't ignore the digital elements. I think as an archivist it is easy to assume you will be able to avoid digital but digital is the future. The earlier you learn, the easier it will be.

13. Do you feel well prepared for a career in the information profession? Any long-term professional goals?

a. I am still rather early in my education track, but I feel that I will be somewhat prepared when I am completed. I only say somewhat prepared because I feel that there is always something to learn in any field. I would like to be a museum director one day.

14. What advice would you give to someone considering SIS as their LIS school?

a. I would say don't be afraid to take this chance. There are so many opportunities that are available to you when you complete this program.