San José, CA – San José State University’s College of Information, Data, and Society (College of IDS) and the School of Information (iSchool) are celebrating the successful conclusion of the first year of Students: Amplifying Your Voices (SAYV), a one-year initiative made possible through the AY 2024–2025 Assigned Time for Exceptional Levels of Service to Students Award.

Under the direction of Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran, Associated Professor for the School of Information, and with the dedicated support of iSchool students Lucas Maurer, Lilia Brummel, Matsuko Friedland, and Paola Mondragon, SAYV provided underrepresented students in library and information science and applied data science with meaningful opportunities to connect, share their experiences, and learn from professionals navigating equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.

Building upon the earlier Your Voices: Listening, Learning, and Sharing project (2022–2023), SAYV expanded student engagement through three key elements:

• Community Learning Spaces (CLS): confidential student-led spaces for discussion, reflection, and support.
• Discord Server: a moderated, identity-affirming online hub with channels for resources, events, and community-building.
• Podcast Series: From the Fringes to the Foreground: five student-produced episodes highlighting underrepresented voices and experiences, streamed 64 times with 84 Spotify plays.

Highlights and Impact

• Community Learning Spaces: Six CLS sessions were held, with participation from students identifying as AANHPI, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, and Black or African Diasporic. Students emphasized the value of connecting across shared identities and voiced a strong need for sustained networking, asynchronous resources, and inclusive programming.
• Podcast Series: Episodes spotlighted Indigenous, disability and neurodivergent, Latinx, first-generation, and Black/Mvskoke student experiences. The podcast was distributed through the College of IDS and iSchool websites, and Spotify, supported by strong engagement on social media platforms.
• Discord Community: With 48 active members, the server provides identity-based channels, resource sharing, study support and moderated conversations guided by community agreements and inclusive participation strategies.
• Visibility and Reach: SAYV reached over 300 unique viewers on its dedicated website, 405 total views via College of IDS, and engaged hundreds more through social media posts and listserv announcements (view the full report).
• Professional Recognition: SAYV’s outcomes were shared at multiple academic conferences, including the 2024 and 2025 Peralta Online Equity Conferences, 2024 Library Marketing and Communications Conference, LOEX 2025, and the upcoming 2025 ALISE Conference.
  

Looking Ahead

While SAYV officially concluded with the end of the AY 2024–2025 service award, survey feedback demonstrates a strong need to continue building student-centered spaces. Participants recommended expanding asynchronous opportunities such as collaborative wikis, blog posts and webinars, and suggested stronger marketing strategies to broaden outreach.

One student shared:

“It was affirming to hear that a lot of us seek community and have felt that there were barriers to participating in a community.” Another noted, “I enjoyed meeting the facilitator and participants! I’m so glad this group exists, and I look forward to staying in touch and meeting up.”

Dr. Villagran emphasized that SAYV’s legacy lies within the pathways it creates for students to create ongoing equity-driven initiatives:

“SAYV demonstrates that when students are given the tools and spaces to lead, they create powerful opportunities for connection, belonging, and change. Our hope is that this work inspires continued investment in student-centered spaces across the College.”

About SAYV

Students: Amplifying Your Voices (SAYV) is a student-centered initiative supported by SJSU’s Assigned Time for Exceptional Levels of Service to Students Award. SAYV creates spaces for underrepresented voices in library and information science and applied data science, amplifying their stories through podcasts, learning spaces, and digital communities.