Educational Assistance Committee

To administer the programs of the educational assistance endeavors of the Association, with the approval of the Executive Board. Educational assistance funds, held by the Treasurer, shall be managed by this Committee with the approval of the Finance Committee.

Mary Etter, Committee Chair

South Windsor Public Library
1550 Sullivan Ave
South Windsor CT 06074
860-644-1541
educationalassistance@nela1.org

Committee Members

• Victoria Antonitis, N. Providence P.L., RI
• Sherry Evans, Portsmouth P.L., Portsmouth, NH
• Curt Friehs, SUNY College at Old Westbury, NY
• Helen Linda, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT
• Debbie Lozito, Edythe Dyer Library, Hampden, ME
• Karen Patterson, South Windsor, CT
• Cynthia Watters, Middlebury College Library, VT
• Mara Whitman, Prosser Public Library, Bloomfield, CT

The Educational Assistance committee provides Graduate Library School scholarships, Continuing Education Grants, and NELA Conference Grants.

2011 Scholarships: The Educational Assistance Committee is pleased to announce this year's Graduate study scholarship winners:

Full-time students receiving $2000 scholarships:

• Amanda Webb-Trujillo (Simmons, MA resident) Ms. Webb-Trujillo plans to be a school librarian.  One of our committee commented that she seems "ready to hit the ground running" and has "experience-based passionate reasong and vision."
• Michael Murphy (Southern Connecticut State University) Mr. Murphy plans a career in technical services.  Comments from the committee include "I like his passion coupled with a grounded approach" and "I would look forward to having him as a colleague."

Part-time student receiving $1000 scholarships:

• Valerie Frechette (University of Alabama, ME resident) Ms. Frechette hopes to work in an academic library in cataloging/metadata. Committee members commented that her essay showed she has "clear cut goals" and was "making it happen, (a) self-starter."

We congratulate the winners, and wish them the best as they complete their degrees.

For information on applying for scholarships see the "Scholarships and Grants" page under Career Resources.

Spectrum Scholars: In 2010, five New England students were named ALA Spectrum Scholars, and each received a $500 matching grant from NELA.

Attending Simmons College:

• Mary E. Gibson (Phippsburg, ME)
• Ramona Melody (West Harfield, MA)
• Amanda Webb-Trujillo (New Milford, CT)
• Stacie Williams (Roxbury, MA)

Attending Fairfield University (CT):

• Yesenia Rosado (Stratford, CT)

Conference Grants: Each year NELA awards six conference grants of $150 to first-tmie attendees, one from each state.  If 2011 is your first NELA conference, look for the checkoff box on the registration forms to apply for the conference grant.

In 2010 grants were awarded to two winners to attend the NELA Conference.  (There were no first time attendees registered by the deadline from Maine, Vermont, Connecticut or Rhode Island.) Congratulations to these lucky first time attendees:

• Lynn Clermont, Westford (MA)
• Sarah St. Martin, Amherst Town Library (NH)

Find more information on the "Scholarships and Grants" page under Career Resources.

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