SJSU ALA Student Chapter Chair
2025-2026 ALA Spectrum Scholar
Hi! My name is Cat.
I am a graduate student and library paraprofessional in my final year of the San José State University (SJSU) Master's of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program, set to graduate in spring 2026.
I am also a 2025-2026 American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholar and the current Chair (President) of the award-winning SJSU ALA Student Chapter (ALASC). I joined ALASC immediately after beginning the SJSU MLIS program in spring 2023 and have held various positions within the organization since then:
Social Media/Events Assistant (March - Dec 2023)
Events Coordinator (Jan - Dec 2024)
Chair (Dec 2024 - present)
The ALASC has been the backbone of my MLIS journey, and I am proud to have worked with so many wonderful people, building community and growing as a leader through this organizational work.
The SJSU ALASC won ALA's Student Chapter of the Year Award in both 2024 and 2025 for our exceptional contributions to San José State University and the LIS profession. Pictured above: myself accepting awards on behalf of the SJSU ALASC at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
My involvement in the SJSU ALASC has created many opportunities for professional growth.
I have had the privilege of traveling and presenting at the 2024 ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, California; the 2024 California Library Association Conference in Pasadena, California; and the 2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2025 ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2024 California Library Association Conference in Pasadena, California
2024 ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, California
At the 2024 ALA Annual Conference, I co-presented a poster on ALASC’s organizational preservation strategies with my fellow ALASC officers Brianna Morales (2023-2024 Chair) & Shannon Broden (2023-2024 Website Coordinator) during the “The Educators” national poster session, speaking to an audience of library & information science professionals from across the country.
I went on to present the poster again at the SJSU iSchool Networking Reception at the 2024 California Library Association Annual Conference.
At the 2025 ALA Annual Conference, I presented a new poster on the importance and underrepresentation of Pacific Islander voices in the library and publishing world.
During my time as the ALASC Events Coordinator, I hosted many events!
As a poet and Creative Writing undergrad major, my favorite event I've hosted to date was the Spring 2025 Poetry Open Mic. It was a fun evening filled with creative community and connection!
My most popular event was the Fall 2024 Around-the-World Library Tour. This event, featuring 2018-2019 ALA Past-President Loida Garcia-Febo as a guest speaker, had a total of 150 registrants and 37 live attendees.
All ALASC events were held virtually via Zoom and many are available for viewing on the SJSU ALASC YouTube channel. On occasion, I still organize and host events, even though I'm now the Chair of the organization. Event planning is one of my passions!
I am also a founding officer of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) iSchool Student Group! I began as the Vice Chair and currently serve as Treasurer. Along with the founder and Chair, Erica Vu, I wanted to create a space within the iSchool where AANHPI voices can be heard, seen, and connected.
With AANHPI student group founding members, Allison Law (2024 Webmaster/Secretary), Erica Vu (Chair), Kristina Gerhardt (2024 Social Media/Co-Webmaster), and Quarry Pak (2024 Treasurer).
Outside of school, I work for two public libraries in Los Angeles County, California. I love providing youth services and have done a myriad of things, including storytime, LEGO build programs, summer reading program, park/school outreach visits, and more!
A theoretical sample storytime... and a real storytime I've done!
I'm excited to soon be starting the implementation of bilingual (Mandarin-English) storytimes at my library as well!
Besides providing youth services, I lead the adult literacy program at my library, training volunteer tutors and teaching literacy classes to community members who wish to improve their English in order to attain personal and professional goals.
I love this work and find it really rewarding to serve my community in this way.
Thank you for visiting my website!
I would love to bring my skills to your team or project.