Candidate for Director of Special Interest Groups

Nicole Cooke
Associate Professor
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Candidate's Statement:
I think of the SIGs as part of the heart of ALISE; SIGs are where specialized conversations and initiatives begin and thrive. I have been active in SIGs since I became a member of the organization - first as a member and co-convener of the Doctoral Student SIG, and then as the co-convener of the Multicultural, Ethnic, and Humanistic Concerns (MEHC) SIG. My involvement has provided an opportunity to introduce new panels and voices to the conferences, and has been an avenue of support for my own teaching and research. I welcome the opportunity to serve as Director of Special Interest Groups, and I will look forward to finding ways to strengthen SIG outreach, membership, and networking and educational offerings.

Biography
Nicole A. Cooke is an Assistant Professor at the School of Information Sciences, at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she is also the Program Director for the Master's of Library and Information Science program. Dr. Cooke is a 2012 graduate from Rutgers University with a PhD in communication, information, and library studies, and she holds the MLS degree from Rutgers University, and a M.Ed. in Adult Education from Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Cooke is professionally active in ALISE, ALA, ACRL, and several other professional library organizations. Dr. Cooke was awarded the 2017 ALA Achievement in Library Diversity Research Award, presented by the Office for Diversity and Literacy Outreach Services, and the 2016 ALA Equality Award. She has also been honored as the University of Illinois YWCA's 2015 Leadership Award in Education winner in recognition of her work in social justice and higher education, and she was selected as the University's 2016 Larine Y. Cowan Make a Difference Award for Teaching and Mentoring in Diversity. She was the 2013 Recipient of the Norman Horrocks Leadership Award given by ALISE, and Library Journal named her a Mover & Shaker in 2007.

Dr. Cooke's research and teaching interests include human information behavior (particularly in the online context), critical cultural information studies, and diversity and social justice in librarianship (with an emphasis on infusing them into LIS education and pedagogy).

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