(Westford, MA) September 24, 2025 - The Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) proudly announces the launch of the 2025-2026 Emerging Scholars Program, which officially kicked off yesterday with a new cohort of 25 participants. Now in its second year, the program continues to expand opportunities for early-career library and information science (LIS) educators and researchers to develop their skills, grow their networks, and contribute meaningfully to the future of LIS education.

The Emerging Scholars Program was originally developed by ALISE Director of Membership, Dr. Daniella L. Smith, Professor, University of North Texas. This year's program is jointly led by Dr. Smith along with ALISE Director of Community Building, Dr. Laura Saunders, Professor & Associate Dean, Simmons University and ALISE Director of Programming, Dr. Xiaohua Awa Zhu, Associate Professor, University of Tennessee.

Over the coming year, the 25-member cohort will take part in a series of interactive seminars addressing critical areas of professional growth. Program topics will include syllabi and policy development, the ethical use of AI in teaching and research, strategies for collaboration, navigating diverse career pathways, preparing for LIS interviews, and grant writing.

"This program gets to the heart of ALISE’s mission and is one of the most meaningful initiatives developed by the association in recent years," said ALISE Executive Director, Michaela Sawicki, CAE. "It is a testament to the vision of our Board of Directors and their commitment to empowering the next generation of LIS educators. We are thrilled to continue this initiative into its second year and welcome another outstanding group of scholars who will shape the future of LIS research and teaching."

For more information on the ALISE Emerging Scholars Program, please visit: www.alise.org/Emerging-Scholars.

2025-2026 Emerging Scholars

About ALISE
The Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of library and information science education. ALISE serves as the intellectual home for faculty, students, and practitioners by fostering innovative scholarship, promoting excellence in teaching, and strengthening the connections between research and practice.

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In Memoriam: Dr. Lorna Peterson (ALISE President, 2010-2011)

The ALISE community mourns the loss of Dr. Lorna Peterson, a distinguished educator, advocate, and leader who served as ALISE President from 2010 to 2011. Dr. Peterson’s dedication to equity, diversity, and social justice left an indelible mark on our field and inspired both colleagues, students, and the broader field of library and information science.

Throughout her career, Dr. Peterson conducted research that illuminated critical issues of racial and social diversity in LIS education and practice. Her leadership and service were honored with the ALISE Service Award in 2013, celebrating her lasting impact on our organization.

Following her inspiring President’s Program on diversity at the 2011 ALISE Annual Conference, Dr. Peterson established the ALISE Diversity Taskforce, which was charged with developing an ALISE Statement on Diversity. This initiative solidified ALISE’s long-term commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable professional environment, reflecting Dr. Peterson’s belief in the transformative power of diversity within LIS.

Dr. Peterson’s legacy also includes her heroic efforts to preserve Clark Atlanta University’s LIS program, a historic institution established in 1941 that has graduated generations of African American librarians and leaders attuned to cultural diversity. Her effort to protect this program exemplified her dedication to expanding representation and creating opportunities for underrepresented voices in LIS.

In honor of her service and commitment, ALISE reaffirms its dedication to the values Dr. Peterson espoused. Her work continues to inspire us as we strive to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in LIS education. Her influence remains in the ALISE Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Taskforce, in her published scholarship, and in the countless lives she touched.