School of Information Sciences student Sarah M. Henry has been named a 2021-2023 Kaleidoscope Program Diversity Scholar by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The program aims to attract Master of Library and Information Science students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to careers in research libraries and archives.

“I am really honored, grateful, and thrilled to be part of the program,” Henry said. “It means more opportunities to meet people from across the world who are interested in library science.”

The program, funded by ARL member libraries, was established in 2000 as the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce and was renamed Kaleidoscope in 2019. The Kaleidoscope Program is diversifying the profession by providing funding for MLIS education and a suite of related benefits, including mentoring, leadership and professional development, and career placement assistance.

Henry said she is most looking forward to participating in conferences and receiving guidance from industry mentors as she embarks on her career in the field.

Henry received bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in education/English as a Second Language (ESL) from Wayne State. She is interested in building on her background and developing skills to help students do research in fields including education, foreign language, and ESL.

As a Graduate Student Assistant for Wayne State’s Library System Henry has designed a research guide about WSU President M. Roy Wilson's reading selections that led to his selections being added to Wayne State University's Library Collection.

Henry expects to graduate with an MLIS in 2024 and hopes to work as a subject specialist in higher education or as an adult services librarian upon graduation.