2024 COI Great Grads Fall

PH.D. Information Science

kYmberly Keeton’s journey to academic excellence began in Fort Worth, Texas, but it has taken her through some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences one could imagine. From her early days at the University of North Texas, where she earned a Master of Library Science and a Graduate Certificate in Digital Content Management in 2014, kYmberly has always been drawn to the pursuit of knowledge. Now, as a Ph.D. candidate, she is preparing to complete her dissertation, but the path to this point has been anything but typical.

In 2020, kYmberly was accepted into UNT’s Information Science Ph.D. program, specializing in Interdisciplinary Studies. Just as she began her doctoral studies, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Despite the uncertainty and emotional toll of the time, kYmberly chose to press forward. “I never imagined I’d be working on a doctorate during a pandemic,” she recalls. Yet, she found strength in the mentorship of her professors, particularly Dr. Ana Cleveland, her major professor and committee co-chair, whose guidance has been instrumental in her success.

kYmberly’s academic journey is marked by an impressive array of honors. Among her most notable accomplishments, she was recognized as a 2020 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, earning the Innovator of the Year Award—a testament to her trailblazing spirit in the world of libraries. She is also an alumna of the American Library Association’s prestigious Emerging Leader program, which further highlights her commitment to leadership in her field.

But the accolades don’t stop there. kYmberly has received a range of awards, from an honorable mention for the Alexandre Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries in 2024 to winning second place in the Texas Association of Museums Doctoral Academic Showcase Competition the same year. She has earned scholarships and fellowships from institutions as varied as the Research Data Access & Preservation Association, Creative Commons, and Drexel University. The path to success was paved with these recognitions, but they also served as vital support systems during her most challenging times.

Pursuing a doctoral degree wasn’t just an academic challenge for kYmberly; it was a personal one. Early in her program, she made the difficult decision to resign from her job as a community archivist to focus fully on her studies. The financial strain of this decision weighed heavily on her, especially during the uncertainty of the pandemic. “It was daunting,” she says, reflecting on the sacrifices she had to make. Yet, through scholarships and fellowships—such as the Mark E. Rorvig Endowed Graduate Fellowship and the Institute for Humane Studies Doctoral Publishing Grant— kYmberly was able to push forward, fueled by a vision of completing her degree in under four years.

kYmberly’s resilience has been tested time and time again, not only by the demands of her Ph.D. but also by personal loss. Throughout her doctoral journey, she mourned the deaths of friends, mentors, and loved ones—making her perseverance even more extraordinary. Despite everything, she stands proudly on the cusp of defending her dissertation, ready to achieve the goal she set for herself in the most difficult of circumstances.

As she looks to the future, kYmberly envisions a career where her academic achievements and creative spirit come together. Her dream is to establish the first African American Art Library Gallery & Repository in Fort Worth, a physical manifestation of her dedication to both African American art and the archival profession. It will be called ART | library deco, and it will embody the intersection of her academic work and her entrepreneurial vision.

She also has her sights set on teaching, hoping to impart her knowledge in fields such as Anthropology, Information Science, History, or Visual and Creative Arts. “I am not the next anything; I am the first me,” she asserts—a declaration of her intention to chart her own course, not just follow in the footsteps of others.

Accompanying her on this journey is her 12-year-old Australian Shepherd-Blue Heeler mix, Roxy Blue Keeton, whom she affectionately describes as “the epitome of a diva.” The bond between the two is a constant source of comfort, grounding kYmberly as she forges ahead in her academic and professional life.

In the end, what sets kYmberly apart isn’t just her academic success or the accolades she’s earned along the way. It’s her unwavering commitment to her community, her creative vision, and the resilience that has carried her through every obstacle. As she prepares to defend her dissertation and transition into the next phase of her career, kYmberly stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's dreams—on her own terms.

B.A. Linguistics

Juan Macias entered the University of North Texas with a curiosity about language, despite having no formal background in linguistics. Initially considering a major in physics, he found himself drawn to the intricate world of language study after taking a few language courses. This discovery deepened his passion, and he soon became fascinated with the way languages function.

Throughout his undergraduate journey at UNT, Juan set personal goals, striving to become a better student. Reflecting on his time at UNT, he shared, “I wasn't always a great student, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could overcome past challenges.” These goals kept him motivated, and he developed a newfound dedication to his studies. The ups and downs of his academic experience turned out to be valuable life lessons, and he expressed pride in his personal growth, especially after the difficulties brought on by the pandemic. Relearning social skills and building connections with familiar faces in the linguistics department helped Juan reconnect with the campus community.

During a particularly challenging period near the end of his second semester, Juan faced mounting pressures from school, work, and life. These struggles led him to consider dropping out, but thanks to the support of friends and mentors, he gradually emerged from his shell and regained his motivation.

Now, Juan is preparing for an exciting new chapter: teaching English in Japan, a position he’ll begin next summer. Looking ahead, he hopes to advance to curriculum design, aiming to create more efficient lesson plans for ESL and EFL students and teachers.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Juan works in live music production as a monitor engineer. This job, he believes, has equipped him with skills that serve him well in both academic and teaching settings. Handling high-pressure situations, troubleshooting on the spot, and adapting quickly to new challenges have all become second nature to him. These abilities, he feels, will be invaluable in the classroom and beyond.

Juan Macias’ journey at UNT has been one of discovery, resilience, and growth. With his newfound confidence and determination, he is ready to tackle the future and make a meaningful impact on students across the globe.

M.S. Information Science, Information Systems concentration

Aisa Sakata’s journey from a small city in Aichi, Japan, to Denton, Texas, is a testament to her determination, passion, and resilience. Originally aspiring to become a flight attendant, Aisa’s plans were derailed by the pandemic in 2020. Undeterred, she pivoted toward IT, working at a small company in Nagoya, where she discovered the power of data. This pivotal experience led Aisa to pursue a master’s degree in Information Science at the University of North Texas, determined to bridge gaps in data literacy and help others navigate the data-driven future.

“I came from a completely different background. I chose this major to advance my career and keep up with the IT-dependent world we live in. However, I had to start with the basics, like learning ‘Hello, World’ in programming. Learning these new concepts in a non-native language was also a challenge. I explored various free e-learning resources, and the CS50 course from Harvard University on edX helped me learn programming languages like C, Python, and SQL. This foundation was incredibly useful when I later started my courses at UNT.”

One of Aisa’s most impactful experiences at UNT has been her work as a Research Assistant on a project focused on Japanese Incarceration history, under the supervision of Dr. Haihua Chen in the Intelligent Data Engineering and Analytics (IDEA) Lab. Despite coming from a non-IT background, Aisa embraced the challenge and gained valuable hands-on experience. Using LLMs, NLP, and Machine Learning techniques to preserve oral histories by capturing complex contexts and sentiments, honoring her Japanese heritage and the stories of history survivors. Aisa’s dedication to analyzing intricate narratives in Japanese exemplifies her commitment to using technology to support future scholars in this field. As part of this project, Aisa has already published one research paper and plans to publish another by the end of the semester.

Aisa also gained invaluable real-world experience during her internship as a Business Analyst at Planna, Inc., where she applied Information Science concepts to manage and analyze data. This internship provided insight into the challenges of data management in the business world and further solidifying her passion for data analytics. “After graduation, I hope to help companies and individuals grow their data literacy using the skills I’ve gained at UNT, and eventually bring these skills back to Japan,” Aisa shares. She recently secured a full-time position with MUFG Bank (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.) as a banking analyst.

From her first day at UNT to now, Aisa’s journey showcases a remarkable transformation in her skills, knowledge, and mindset. Her dedication to bridging gaps in data literacy, preserving historical narratives, and making meaningful contributions in her field makes her an outstanding candidate for Great Grads.

 

Master’s of Science in Library Science

Emily Winningham, a proud first-generation student, graduates from the University of North Texas with a Master’s of Science in Library Science, specializing in Archival Studies. Drawn to libraries from a young age, Emily discovered her passion for librarianship and decided to pursue a career in the field. Her interest in history, continuous learning, and helping others made archival librarianship the perfect fit. She humorously describes archivists as "the vampires of librarians," an identity she fully embraces.

Throughout her time at UNT, Emily has excelled academically, earning a 4.0 GPA and receiving two grants and a scholarship. As a first-generation student, she takes great pride in not only being the first in her immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree but also the first to achieve a master’s. With the unwavering support of her family, she has reached new heights in her academic journey.

Balancing work and school as an online student have been challenging, particularly with the added complexity of managing ADHD. Emily maintains a meticulous calendar/planner, frequently checks due dates on Canvas, and makes lists to stay organized. Though she sometimes struggles to follow her plans perfectly, her determination and organization have been essential to her success.

Emily’s future in librarianship is full of promise. Open to various roles, she is particularly interested in library marketing, academic and public librarianship, and archives. With experience as a social media coordinator, she is enthusiastic about the potential of social media for outreach and marketing within libraries and archives.

As a Latina with a passion for animals—especially her three rescue dogs—Emily is ready to bring her creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit to her profession. While she often hears the question, “Do you love reading?” she believes librarianship is about much more than books. Emily sees librarians as facilitators who help people discover their passions, curators of inclusive spaces, and protectors of primary sources that shape and redefine our history. Emily is eager to contribute to this legacy and make a difference in the lives of others.