2023 Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to this year's REFORMA Scholarship Awardees.
Sage/JCLC Scholarship ($2,000)
Izchel Ajanta Quintero Martínez (They/Them)I am a neurodivergent, queer, migrant originally from Jalisco, Mexico, who has been living in Nebraska for the past ten years, where I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I am an incoming graduate student in the Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Arizona, as well as a Knowledge River Scholar at the same institution. I have a passion for writing, fanfiction, uncommon historical facts, and advocating for better access to information.
I am currently working as a research assistant for the UNL History Department and the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities on the History Harvest project, and as a research assistant for the Roots of Justice: New Americans project with the Center for Great Plains Studies, helping document the history of refugees in Nebraska.
I am incredibly excited and grateful to be part of the REFORMA scholars and look forward to continuing serving the community.
Rose Treviño Scholarship ($1,500)
Kristen FloresI’m Kristen Flores, a community-oriented professional who is rooted in social justice. I live and work in Oakland, California, where I am an elementary school library tech. This job is filled with joy, and I strive to empower my students to combat inequities. I am also in the process of obtaining my Master’s in LIS at San José State University.
I feel excited and honored to be a recipient of the Rose Treviño scholarship and know that I am among fellow Latinx librarians who do inspiring work.
REFORMA Scholarship ($1,500)
Natali Carmona Guzman (She/Her)My name is Natali Carmona Guzman (she/her). I am a first-generation immigrant. I was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, and immigrated to the United States in 2007. I have lived in Southern California ever since! I am currently attending San Jose State University MLIS program. I grew a passion for library science from a young age because the library offered learning tools and support for my immigrant family. My parents and I learned English by attending courses and reading books at the library. I have both worked and volunteered at public libraries since 16 years old.
I am honored to have received the REFORMA 2023 scholarship because I aim to support Latino students in higher education. As someone who understands being a first-generation college student, I want Latino students to know the resources available when navigating college.
Victor Lopez
My name is Victor Lopez and I work as a library clerk with the Chicago Public Library at their Lincoln Belmont Branch. I will attend the iSchool at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign starting in Fall 2023 to work towards my MS in Library and Information Science.
Receiving the REFORMA scholarship has left me feeling proud and increasingly determined to put forward more than my best effort and be able to be increasingly excited for my future learning.
Maria Guadalupe Partida
Maria Guadalupe Partida is a graduate student at the iSchool of Information and LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin, where she is pursuing a dual masters in Global Policy Studies and Information Studies. Lupita was born and raised in the bordertown of Laredo, Texas and is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Previously, she has worked with local, national, and international government and nonprofit entities. After completing her B.A. in Political Science, Lupita was a Junior and Huntington Fellow at the Library of Congress’ Hispanic Reading Room, where she produced and coauthored StoryMaps, blogs, a podcast season, and resource guides. Lupita is currently a graduate research assistant at the Benson Latin American Collection, where she engages in collection development efforts, answers library reference questions from local and international patrons, and assists in exhibitions.
Lupita is grateful to REFORMA and their mission for increasing Spanish language and Latino representation and supporting graduate studies.