COI: Why did you apply for the scholarship? What made you think you were a match for it?

Caroline: When I applied for the Margaret Irby Nichols Endowed Scholarship, I was anticipating the cost of tuition and books for the second and last academic school year as a graduate student in the Master of Science in Library Science (MS-LS) Archival Studies program. I chose to apply for this scholarship because I was eligible for consideration as a full-time graduate student among other qualifying criteria. I was also familiar with Margaret Irby Nichols who was a renowned leader at UNT and the Texas Library Association (TLA), as well as an accomplished lecturer and author in the field of library and information sciences. 

COI: How has this scholarship helped you reach your goals?

Caroline: The Margaret Irby Nichols Endowed Scholarship has helped me reach my goals by lowering the cost of my college and the hours I need to work throughout my studies. I am able to maximize my opportunities and dedicate more time toward coursework, conferences, professional organizations, and volunteering. This scholarship has made a positive impact in how I can continue learning and growing as a professional.

COI: Give us one or two highlights about what you have accomplished so far as a student in the program.

Caroline: Some highlights as a graduate student at UNT include having the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with unique and fascinating materials as a student Archival Assistant in the Special Collections department. I have been able to process and produce finding aids for a variety of collections such as the Fran Vick Collection, Steven Fromholz Papers, NaDeane Walker Anderson Papers, James Flowers Collection of Found Ephemera in Returned Library Books, and many more. These collections are all available on the Special Collections Finding Aid and The Portal to Texas History sites for anyone to access. Another highlight is that the Margaret Irby Nichols Scholarship was not the only scholarship that I received as a graduate student- I was also awarded the LIS Information Science Excellence Scholarship my first semester! Additionally, I am a member of UNT’s Library and Information Science Student Association (LISSA) where I have already developed meaningful connections with professionals in the field and other graduate students in the program.