by Sarah Bender
This fall, the newest cohort of the Libraries Student Advisory Council (LSAC) has begun meeting to expand opportunities for communication between the Libraries and the CMU student body. A team of undergraduate and graduate students from across campus will partner with the University Archives, focusing on documenting student life and the importance of preserving present-day CMU history by collecting key materials from a variety of student organizations.
Members will become trained Archives Ambassadors equipped to identify key stories from their diverse communities here in Pittsburgh, and will then work with archivists to build relationships with and collect valuable materials from the variety of organizations they’re a part of at CMU. At the end of the year, the Student Advisory Council will host a Libraries event open to the entire campus community to showcase the stories they’ve collected from their organizations.
Please join us in welcoming the newest LSAC members to the Libraries team.
Amanda Barajas is a first-year Bachelors of Humanities and Arts (BHA) student. She hopes to bring a creative edge to the program by combining her arts and humanities background with her growing interests in archival processes and design.
“When I think of the University Libraries, I think of community. As part of LSAC, I’m excited to meet new people and find new ways to share what I’ve learned with my peers.”
Allison Blair is a sophomore studying literature and culture and creative writing in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She hopes to contribute her passion for literature to the group, emphasizing how important it is to preserve the humanities while she gains an understanding of the archiving process.
“This celebration of my history on campus is very meaningful to me. I am a part of both the Tartan and the Oakland Review, so celebrating and preserving these organizations’ work is so important to me as a way to ensure that I make an impact on campus the way campus has made an impact on me.”
Hailey Cohen is a junior studying social and political history and environmental and sustainability studies in Dietrich College. For the past two summers, she has worked in an educational archive, and she’s looking forward to becoming more familiar with CMU’s Archives as she builds archival collections that create an accurate picture of the school at this present time.
“To me, the Libraries is a place of exploration and curiosity. One of the most special parts of the Libraries is the University Archives, which I think is so meaningful in sharing the history of our school and documenting student life. I also love being in the Libraries because I'm surrounded by people who are passionate about what they do and are eager to learn more.”
Ameena George is a first-year student in the Tepper School of Business studying business administration. She’s particularly interested in highlighting sustainability efforts at CMU, as she feels the movement to mitigate climate change is at the forefront of her generation’s priorities and can be seen all over campus.
“Walking around our University Libraries, we can witness the achievements of CMU students through the years by reading past student journals, pursuing the archival spaces, and admiring the photos of student life posted all over the walls. Seeing the success of past generations of CMU students who walked this same campus inspires me to work hard and set my sights high.”
Emily Manack is a sophomore in Dietrich College studying global studies, history of the arts, and humanities analytics. She’s looking forward to better understanding the archival process as a whole.
“It is super important to me to not only record the academic side of CMU but also highlight the unique and exciting student life that CMU and Pittsburgh has to offer.”
Nicholas Marshall is a senior studying philosophy and social and political history in Dietrich College. As a humanities student, he views the Libraries as an invaluable resource for accessing papers and books that would otherwise cost a significant amount of time and money.
“My involvement in the Catholic Newman Club and deep connections with those in other religious organizations has revealed an often overlooked voice on campus. My goal as part of the LSAC is to showcase the experiences and history of religious ministries and student organizations on campus.”
Vivian Nam is a first-year art major in the College of Fine Arts. She’s excited to contribute her background in art and design, and collaborate with people from different areas of study and interests.
“One of the most exciting things about college to me was the different student organizations I could join to meet people with similar interests as me. Student orgs are what really forms the student community, representing the different interests, skills, and identities the school holds. Celebrating the history of these different organizations is meaningful because it further builds identity in who CMU students are.”
Ramsha Naveed is a Dietrich graduate student studying rhetoric. Her goal is to ensure that the LSAC incorporates diverse perspectives and student voices into everything they do, including this archival project.
“CMU is a composite of every single person who is or has been a part of its community. This archiving project and celebration of our past and present is exciting because it allows us to uncover and showcase the vital work of student organizations, which often serve as anchors for community building. I hope this initiative will allow us to create stronger connections across diverse groups on campus, and inspire future students to get involved in student life on campus as well.”
Eshita Shrawan is a graduate student studying electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering. She has been a student worker for SLICE, a teaching assistant for various departments, and a part of the Graduate Student Assembly and Greek Life. As a result, she’s seen and interacted with many sub-demographics of students and their families, and is looking forward to contributing to increased collaboration between students and the Libraries.
“The Libraries is a space I've become very familiar with in the past six years I've been at Carnegie Mellon. It is a true interdisciplinary home to many students. Being a past campus tour guide, I see many students don't know enough facts about our history, and this is an exciting chance for all to see the growth and evolution of our campus and the impact we've had.”
Hanna Theile is a graduate student in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy studying public policy and management. She’s excited for the chance to share community members’ stories and experiences, creating an enriching environment for all at CMU.
“The University Libraries is a space for exploration. It gives students the opportunity to learn more about what excites them and how to make impactful change.”
Sarah Tillinger is a first year in the Mellon College of Science. She feels it’s important to encourage people to appreciate the past and how much things can change over time, and plans to use her inquiry skills and unique perspectives to shed light on interesting stories.
“I am most excited to bring some attention to less known organizations on campus as well as learn and connect with people on campus who I would not have been able to connect with otherwise.”
Belen Torres is a graduate student in Heinz College. By preserving CMU’s unique traditions and student experiences, she’s excited to create a collective spirit that can shape the future of CMU. As a student in public policy, she understands how crucial it is to reflect on history when forming future decisions. She hopes to contribute her understanding of how history informs policy, ensuring that the Archives is not just records of the past but valuable resources for future growth and development.
“The celebration of our history on campus is deeply meaningful because it goes beyond the official narrative seen in headlines and brochures. As Carnegie Mellon University continues to grow, it's essential to document the everyday experiences, events, traditions, and emotions that shape our community. These elements are what truly define the CMU identity and make student life vibrant and unique.”
Weiqian Zhang is a graduate student in the School of Computer Science studying information technology and privacy engineering. He’s looking forward to making more connections while he learns more about archival processes and the history of campus.
“To me the archiving process is not simply about storing the past, but always closely connected to the present in terms of our preferences and selections of records and works, ever new interpretations of the history and thoughts about our past activities. And building a connection between the Archives and student organizations really strengthens such a bond, instead of leaving a record in the corner to be forgotten.”