Congratulations to our graduating student employees!
The Libraries are proud to be the University’s top student employer on campus. Across all our locations, our student employees help keep the Libraries running whether it was shelving books, working behind the scenes cataloguing or assisting guests at our Reader Services desk. To celebrate every graduate who has worked the Libraries, we have a list of all student employees by graduating class on the Libraries’ website. A big thank you to all our student employees who played a part in advancing teaching and learning at Binghamton University.
In honor of this year’s graduation, here is a highlight of some of our graduates we are celebrating at this year’s commencement! We wish our graduates all the best as they continue with their next chapter!
Charlotte Hoekenga
Bartle Library, Reader Services
Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Bachelor of Science in Biological Anthropology
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- Just generally getting to help people! Sometimes people come up to you and they’re like, “This is a stupid question” and it’s an extremely normal question about how to best use the library and its resources. I love helping people become more confident in using the library and seeing everything it has to offer.
- Library advice for future students:
- To future student employees: you’re only going to get better at giving directions with time and experience. Go get lost in the ground floor— it’ll help you be more confident later.
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- Fine Arts study rooms! They’re perfect for solo studying.
Aya Labnine (she / her)
Science Library, Reader Services
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Engineering
Next Step: Attending Northeastern University to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- Helping a patron find a missing book!
- Library advice for future students:
- Enjoy your time, time flies by fast!
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- Science Library ground floor; secluded and usually empty!
Boxi Li
Digital Scholarship Center
Degree: Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); Certificate in Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP)
Next Step: Currently, I am going to stay in Binghamton for a while to rest and then start looking for a job.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- My coworkers and supervisors are friendly, and we have a great working atmosphere together.
- Library advice for future students:
- I work at DSC, where whiteboards, markers and even laptops are available to students. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask questions directly to the people who work here that you don’t know about, and we’ll be happy to help you!!
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- Digital Scholarship Center. Quiet and convenient. Sometimes I can learn a lot through workshops and events held in DSC.
Kristen Lodge (she / her)
Outreach Librarian Assistant
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Next Step: Attending Fordham University to pursue a PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- I love all the stress free events and making reading lists. I have added so many books to my to-be-read pile!
- Library advice for future students:
- Take advantage of everything at the library!
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- Bartle third Floor, it’s so new. Or the fourth floor because it’s cozy.
Marshia Mizan (she / her)
Science Library, Reader Services
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Next Step: I will be moving back to NYC, and hopefully getting an RN position in an Emergency Department.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- The people I met along the way; I met one of my roommates at the Libraries who will now be a lifelong friend. The conversations I’ve had behind the desk, just overall meeting wonderful amazing people.
- Library advice for future students:
- The resources that we can provide including ILL and the behind the scenes of it all.
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- Science Library first floor in the private desk on the right side of the Sustainability Hub.
Fiona Morris (she / her)
Interlibrary Loan
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; Minor in Education
Next Step: Moving to Rochester to explore professional opportunities in the government and non-profit sector.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- A major part of my job is collecting books off the shelves to ship to other schools. The books are located all over the library, so it’s honestly been a great source of exercise!
- Library advice for future students:
- Enjoy the third floor!
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- The second oversize collection on the second floor! It’s always very quiet and it’s super warm in the winter.
Lauren Parrotta
Bartle Library, Resource Sharing
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Accounting; Minor in Global Studies
Next Step: Continuing my education at Binghamton University to pursue my Master’s degree in accounting.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- I love the annual appreciation event the Libraries hold every year for the staff. It is an amazing way to connect with other student workers within the Libraries . Additionally, it helps me better understand each libraries’ roles and staff better.
- Library advice for future students:
- I’d advise future students to fully explore the Libraries’ resources. I didn’t know how to use some of the Libraries’ platforms until my junior year.
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- The fourth floor, north reading room because it is very quiet.
Maggie Saville (she / her)
Science Library, Sustainability Hub
Degrees: Master of Science in Sustainable Communities; Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science; Minor in Geology
Next Step: Working as a Geologist for an Environmental Consulting firm.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- I love making the monthly Sustainability Hub Newsletters!
- Library advice for future students:
- Make time to read!! Working at the Libraries and putting together book highlights for different occasions introduced me to so many books I wanted to read but didn’t have the time for!
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- Sustainability Hub because I love seeing students, faculty and staff come in to check out our resources. Also, the skylight makes the space so bright 🙂
Elizabeth Serjantov
Bartle Library, Reader Services
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Next Step: Attending Pratt Institute to pursue a Master of Science in Information Experience Design.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- Working with other student employees – they make every shift fun. I didn’t know I could make such close friends while working at Bartle Library.
- Library advice for future students:
- Be kind and treat patrons like a friend you’re helping out!
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- Definitely the Secret Poetry Room.
Emily Shaw (she / her)
Technical Services – Book Prep
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Major; Minor in Digital & Data Studies
Next Step: Pursuing a career in an Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- I love listening to a book or music while prepping books! It’s a nice break in between classes.
- Library advice for future students:
- Library Tower Cafe has the best coffee and breakfast on campus!
- Go-to favorite Libraries study spot:
- The seating area to the left of the cafe and the courtyard below when it’s nice out!
Julia Tirro (she / they)
Digital Scholarship Center
Degree: Master of Arts in English
Next Step: Taking a gap year to adjunct before applying to PhD programs.
- Favorite moment working at the Libraries:
- Sitting in the center in the morning when it is quiet and peaceful.
- Library advice for future students:
- Take advantage of the Libraries’ resources! I have never had to buy a book for a class because I can always find it at the library!