The 2025-2026 Libraries Student Advisory Council (LSAC) has started meeting! This year’s LSAC will focus on exploring and growing the map resources available to the CMU campus community. A team of undergraduate and graduate students will work with Arts and Humanities Librarian Lynn Kawaratani to learn about how the CMU Architecture Archives collects, conserves and promotes the use of architectural records that document the architects and architecture of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and the region.
Members will learn about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and storymapping, among other resources and tools, and work together in groups to construct their own personal representations of key areas on campus. They will discuss how buildings only tell part of the story and what aspects inform our understanding of our surroundings and their connection to the past, present, and future of the institution. At the end of the year, members will host a Libraries event open to the entire campus community to showcase the memories they’ve mapped around campus.
Please join us in welcoming the newest LSAC members to the team:
Tiffany Chang is a sophomore studying economics and statistics and ethics, history, & public policy in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is especially excited to learn about CMU’s architectural records and GIS systems.
“In this day and age, memories are not only documentation but direction: whether it be with looking through the archives as part of my work as a history research assistant or documenting CMU's current events for our student newspaper, I have been immersed in CMU's spaces and the numerous resources that are available to us students. With this year's project of Mapping Memories, I hope to capture what it is about CMU that has guided me over the past year and use it as fuel for CMU student's present and future.”
Suzy Choi is a senior studying social & political history and fine art in the BHA program. She hopes to offer a meaningful perspective on preservation and accessibility in the library community with her knowledge of art restoration and historical studies.
“The University Libraries serves as both a study guide and a source of intellectual inspiration. Its extensive resources support my productivity, connect me with valuable materials, and foster discovery of related topics I might not have explored otherwise.”
Jessica Daley is a sophomore studying architecture in the College of Fine Arts. She hopes to bring her knowledge of architecture and creative mindset in order to grow her understanding of different places and the stories that come from them.
“I believe that any place you go to and exist in leaves an impression on you, and just knowing that everyone experiences places differently makes me very excited! I think that by mapping these types of interactions, it will help us to have interesting conversations about what kinds of spaces leave what kinds of impacts.”
Ella Mineroff is a junior studying literature & culture in Dietrich College, with a minor in drama. She’s looking forward to expanding her knowledge of maps, which she views as a way to connect the CMU community, allowing members to make their mark and celebrate what’s important to them.
“I love the availability of resources that the University Libraries have to offer. The space is incredibly welcoming and everyone is eager to help each other out.”“I love the availability of resources that the University Libraries have to offer. The space is incredibly welcoming and everyone is eager to help each other out.”
Korawich Kavee is a PhD student studying civil and environmental engineering in the College of Engineering. He views libraries as the social infrastructure of the university community and is excited to map overlooked spaces.
“As founder of the CMU OpenStreetMap Club, president of CMU Transportation Club, and an advocate for all things urbanism, I see LSAC as a chance to help bring my GIS data and mapping skills into a meaningful and fun archive project.”
Elijah Panetta is a first year graduate student studying public policy and management in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. He brings his love of storytelling and community building to the Council to combine what has been with what could be possible in the spaces across campus.
“Memories are a shared language of life, tying people, places, and things together in so many creative ways. I have quickly learned that while we are sharing the same physical spaces on campus, the moments that led us here are wildly different, and I would not have the opportunity to learn from my classmates if I did not have the physical Carnegie Mellon Campus to come to.”
Ashley Park is a junior studying fine arts and creative writing in the BHA program. She is especially interested in using photography to document overlooked areas.
“Every area of CMU's campus holds a remnant of the students, faculty, and staff that builds and records these lived-in spaces. From the worn down stairs, to the leaves dragged into buildings it is important to celebrate the locations in which so many people have built their memories.”
Daniel Rios is a first year student studying humanities and art in the BXA program. He has always been interested in libraries and archives, and is excited to expand the reach of this valuable resource and grow his knowledge of how libraries work.
“I hope to continue growing my knowledge of library collections and how we can make spaces more accessible to more people. Using my skills as a designer, I hope that we can hold conversations about the built environment using the expertise of this diverse cohort!”
Monica Ronayne is a first year student in English literature & culture in Dietrich College. She is looking forward to helping others grow from utilizing the libraries’ resources.
“Just from walking to my 8 a.m., I have crossed paths with Einstein's famous lecture at Kresge theater, Leslie Odom Jr.'s drama routine at Purnell, and John Forbes Nash ground breaking equations at Doherty Hall. Maps have tracked and carried the very short cuts and paths that have caused each and all of all to come together to create ideas and the very passions that drive our society.”
Vincent Topmiller is a sophomore studying civil engineering and engineering and public policy in the College of Engineering. He is particularly interested in experience using GIS that he can translate into professional work, as well as developing a stronger sense of community and learning more about the spaces on campus.
“I think celebrating campus spaces is very important because many students go through 4+ years on campus without exploring all that campus has to offer. Finding a new space on campus that I wasn't aware even existed is always an exciting experience.”
Luna Yu is a sophomore studying global studies and art in the BHA program. She hopes to help create a multicultural space through the archives by using her creative and humanities background.
“The University Libraries mean community, memory, and access. Everyone comes in with a story, and the archives help keep those stories — preserving what makes the CMU experience unique. It’s where ideas become findable and our history stays alive.”
Miaoci Yuan is a sophomore studying architecture in the College of Fine Arts. She hopes to use her design background to highlight the connection between physical spaces and the stories they preserve.
“To me, the University Libraries is an outlet to your curiosity and desire for understanding history that may otherwise be out of reach. A great idea doesn’t become reality without the resources that support it — the library makes these types of inquiries accessible and inexpensive.”