Congrats to Spring 2026 Graduating Library Staff and Student Workers!
This spring, more than 16 UT Libraries student workers and full-time staff will complete their academic degrees. We take this opportunity to celebrate them and recognize their achievements.
Afia Adiba will receive her Master of Science in Business Analytics from UT’s Haslam College of Business. As a graduate student library assistant in Assessment Programs and Collection Strategy, she has worked on projects involving collection analysis and usage statistics. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in business and marketing analytics. As a graduate student library assistant at the Libraries, Adiba says, she “learned some really valuable transferable skills which I believe helped me grow as a professional. I will definitely miss my days at the library!”
Ashley Cate will receive a Master of Science in Information Sciences. Following graduation, she will continue in her position as publishing and open repository administrator in UT Libraries’ department of Research Impact and Open Access.
Bryan Clement graduates with a Master of Science in Information Sciences. Formerly a graduate student library assistant at both the Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library and in Hodges Library Public Services, Clement recently joined the Libraries’ staff as the public services and engagement specialist at Pendergrass.
Robert Elford, a student library assistant in Library Express, will receive a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Following graduation, he plans to work as a mental health counselor.
Joe Ferguson, discovery systems manager in the Libraries’ Discovery and Technology Solutions department, will receive his Master of Science in Information Sciences. In his current role, Ferguson supports library discovery systems and services that help connect users with collections and resources across the university. Following graduation, he plans to continue his career with the Libraries and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the important and impactful work that supports teaching, learning, and research.
Austin Grooters, a student library assistant in Collection Logistics, will receive a bachelor’s in Finance from the Haslam College of Business. Following graduation, he will work for NVR Mortgage in Franklin, Tennessee.
Lily Hague, a student library assistant at the Hodges Library equipment checkout desk, graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering, a joint program of the Herbert College of Agriculture and the Tickle College of Engineering. Following graduation, she will work for a civil engineering firm in Boston, Massachusetts.
Cooper Henson is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a second major in Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies. He worked as a student library assistant for two years in the Immersive Spaces and Technologies department, where he has met some of his best friends. Henson says, "Working at the Makerspace and Studio has become an integral part of my experience at UTK. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work at such a fun, inviting place." He has been accepted into UT’s Experimental Psychology PhD program and will begin graduate school this fall.
Abigael Johnson will receive a master’s in Economics with a concentration in Financial Economics from the Haslam College of Business. Johnson has worked as a student library assistant in Special Collections for nearly three years. She says of her experience: “I've learned a lot about the history of the university as well as how much work goes into preserving archival materials. I look forward to coming to work because I get to work with such kind, encouraging people. As I enter into a finance career, I hope to bring the same sense of community and teamwork that I've experienced here!”
Advait Joshi, a graduate student library assistant in Acquisitions and Continuing Resources, will graduate with a Master of Science in Computer Science.
Leopold Larsen is graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences with a bachelor’s in both Biology and Chemistry. As a student assistant in Special Collections, he has worked at the reference desk and served as a librarian assistant for nearly two years. During that time, he has worked with rare books, helped to curate exhibits, and assisted with classroom instruction. He notes that: "Working in the library system and with the wonderful Special Collections team has deeply enhanced my understanding of the many multidisciplinary materials preserved in the archives. As a hard sciences student, working with the department has broadened my undergraduate experience and has given me a deepened appreciation for the importance of the humanities work and research done at the university." After graduation, Leopold will work part-time as a biodiversity scientist in the Smoky Mountains before pursuing full-time employment in the environmental sciences.
Maritsa Mora, a graduate student library assistant on the Libraries’ Health and Wellness team, will receive a Master of Science in Social Work.
Elizabeth Nix is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. She has worked for over three years with the Libraries' Community Learning and Engagement department. During her time as a student library assistant, Nix made an impact on K-12 students by planning and executing outreach programs such as the 2ndBRIDGE event, which allows seventh and eighth graders to explore post-secondary educational opportunities, and the Reading Design Challenge, which promotes STEM literacy through reading and completing interactive activities. In her role at UT Libraries, she has enjoyed the collaborative environment fostered by the Community Learning and Engagement team and her close working relationships with community members. After graduation, Nix will pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Georgia.
Sarah Pastor is a student library assistant with the Immersive Spaces and Technologies department, where she works at the Medbery Makerspace and the Studio. She graduates this semester with a bachelor's in Computer Science. She plans to continue attending UT this fall as a graduate student. Sarah has been with the library since December 2023 and with the Medbery Makerspace since its opening in February 2024. Sarah has delighted in watching the spaces grow over time. She notes: "This job has changed who I am and has brought me a community like no other. I have loved learning about laser-cutting and the 3D printers, and I'm excited for what the makerspace will have in the future."
Simon Pracheil, a student library assistant for the Libraries’ office of Human Resources and the Business Services Office, will graduate with a bachelor’s in History. He says, “For my future plans, I am pursuing a master's degree starting this summer, with the aim of becoming a Social Studies teacher.”
Susan Pritchard, manager of Libraries Human Resources, will receive a Master of Science in Management and Human Resources from UT’s Haslam College of Business. She has been part of the Libraries’ Administration and Human Resources team for twelve years. Following graduation, Susan plans to continue her work with UT Libraries, where she combines her hands-on HR experience with what she’s learned in the MSMHR program. One of Pritchard’s favorite parts of her role is supporting employees across UT Libraries at every stage of their careers and contributing to areas such as workforce planning, learning and development, and employee engagement.