School of Information Sciences
Ronald Larsen
"It is through this critical support that the School has been able to expand degree programs, conduct multidisciplinary research, offer scholarships to students, and provide state-of-the-art laboratory experiences."
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Dean's Message
“Since its founding over 100 years ago, the School of Information Sciences has benefitted greatly from the generous support of alumni, friends, foundations, and corporations. It is through this critical support that the School has been able to expand degree programs, conduct multidisciplinary research, offer scholarships to students, and provide state-of-the-art laboratory experiences. Each and every gift has made it possible for the School to meet its mission of educating students to become leaders in the information age. We hope that you will join this distinguished group of donors. Your gift will enable us to offer scholarship support to deserving students and provide international and experiential learning experiences. Gifts to facilities will allow our talented faculty to teach in a state-of-the-art multimedia environment. Please make a gift to the School of Information Sciences so that we can make the dreams of our students and the goals of our faculty realities. Help us to prepare the next generation of information professionals.”
Ronald Larsen
Dean and Professor,
School of Information Sciences
Donor Spotlight
Ed Cohen, in honor of his late wife, Sarah Cohen (MLIS ’95)
"She was incredible at what she did," Ed Cohen gushed when talking about his late wife, Sarah Cohen (MLIS'95). "The MLIS degree gave her professional life a purpose."
Sarah Cohen did not plan a career as a high school librarian. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in pottery from Indiana University. After deciding against an art career, Sarah pursued her paralegal certification from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. After relocating to Pittsburgh and accepting a job as a paralegal at a local law firm, Sarah realized her true passion. She told her husband that she always wanted to be a librarian.
Receiving her Master of Library and Information Science degree in 1995 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, Sarah accepted a position at Northland Public Library in Ross Township. She soon realized that the community library environment was missing something – students. Sara enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences School Library Certification Program(SLCP) to receive her Instructional I teaching certificate in Library Science, K-12. The couple relocated to Maryland where Sarah completed her student teaching and was hired by the Fredrick County Public School System. In 2002, Sarah accepted a position as the school librarian at Poolesville High School in Rockville. Finally in a profession she loved, Sarah's enthusiasm and dedication transformed the Poolesville High School library program with new initiatives, grant funding, and transformative curriculum that included television production.
Sadly, Sarah suddenly passed away in 2006. Ed Cohen knew the only way to honor his late wife was to create a scholarship at the school that fueled her life's passion. He established the Sarah C. Cohen Endowment for the School Library Practicum Experience. The fund is used by the Library and Information Science Program to provide awards to outstanding students in the SLCP. Awards may be granted to students completing the Practicum in both the Fall and Spring term.
"We were fortunate that Pitt was there to prepare Sarah for a career as a high school librarian," says Ed Cohen. "Through Sarah's legacy, it is wonderful to know my gift helps others pursue a profession close to her heart."
Student Profile
Courtney Machi (SIS ’07)
A 2007 recipient of the Ida M. Flynn* Award, Courtney Machi (SIS ’07) began her studies at Pitt as an English major. Then she took Introduction to Information, Systems, and Society with SIS professor Ida Flynn, a significant and respected member of the School of Information Sciences faculty and an outstanding contributor to the discipline. With Flynn's support, Courtney switched majors and joined the Information Science undergraduate program.
The Ida M. Flynn Award is presented annually to an undergraduate student at SIS who best exemplifies the same type of intellectual and mentoring accomplishments that marked Dr. Flynn’s tenure here at SIS. Courtney’s SIS career was marked by her work outside the classroom as well as success in her coursework. With great enthusiasm, Courtney took on the charge to revitalize the undergraduate student organization, PRISM. Through her efforts, this group hosted social events and professional-development activities. Today, Courtney is a consultant with Perot Systems, a global provider of technology-based business solutions. “I love this job because I’m learning something new every day, working with different groups of people, and getting to travel,” Courtney says. “It allows me to use technology to help business and people.”
*Dr. Ida M. Flynn began her teaching career at Pitt in 1980 as a lecturer and was named assistant professor in 1994. She served as the Director of the undergraduate Information Science Program from 1991 to 2000, when she retired while continuing to teach at SIS. The Ida M. Flynn Award was established in tribute to her work as a great educator, a pioneer in the Information Science Field, a dedicated mentor to students and an outstanding role model for women in the Information Sciences.
To learn more about the School of Information Sciences, visit www.ischool.pitt.edu.
Contact Us
Joelleen P. Yerace
Director of Constituent Relations
507 Information Sciences
135 North Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-624-9473 / Fax: 412-624-5231
jyerace@sis.pitt.edu
Joelleen Yerace joined the School of Information Sciences as the Director of Constituent Relations in July 2008. In her current role, Joelleen manages the alumni relations program and development efforts for SIS. Joelleen previously served as both a Major Gift and Principal Gift Associate at the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Institutional Advancement. Prior to her employment at the University of Pittsburgh, Joelleen worked in the Office of Financial Aid at Allegheny College, and the Business & Finance Group at the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Joelleen earned her B.A. in Political Science from Allegheny College and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration at Pitt's School of Education.