A lot can happen in a few years. A person might take on a new job or a new hairstyle or a new field of research. That’s why we’re introducing a new article series called “Member Updates”. Member Updates revisit APALA members who have previously participated in Member Highlights. We hope this gives you a chance to get to know your fellow APALA members at multiple points during their careers! To participate in Member Highlights or Member Updates, contact Molly Higgins at mollylh(at)uw(dot)edu or Jaena Rae Cabrera at jaenarae(at)gmail(dot)com.
Here’s our third Member Update– Alyssa Jocson Porter. Thanks, Alyssa!
Alyssa M. Jocson Porter, Reference & Instruction Librarian at Seattle Central College
Can you tell us a little bit about the path that’s taken you to your current position?
I am currently liaison to the STEM, Graphic Design & Visual Media programs, and I teach a credit information literacy course for the IT Networking students. Before landing this tenure-track position, I spent a few years as an adjunct faculty librarian at Seattle Central as well as Green River College and Edmonds Community College. Since my profile in the Member Highlights series was published, I have had several APALA commitments (see below) and was named an ALA Emerging Leader in 2016.
How long have you been an APALA member? Why have you continued to be an APALA member? Are you currently involved as an officer/committee member/other volunteer?
I have been an APALA member since spring 2012, while I was still a student. A classmate had invited me to a local APALA social and easily convinced me to become a member. Since then, I have served in many capacities including co-chair of the Communications & Media Committee, Executive Board Member-at-Large, and most recently as chair of the YA category of the Literature Awards Committee. APALA continues to be a valuable professional development resource for me, whether it’s resources for better serving APIA populations or community building or peer mentoring.
What aspects of librarianship are key to your personal satisfaction at work? Has that changed since you joined librarianship?
I enjoy working in community colleges because this environment allows me to actively engage in social justice and equity work as we serve students from a wide range of backgrounds. These students are driven, and they inspire me and motivate me.
If you could go back in time a few years ago to when you participate in the Member Highlights series, what would you tell your younger self?
I participated in the Member Highlights series six years ago! That seems like such a long time ago. I have a tendency to burn out from taking on too much and expecting perfection. So, I would tell my younger self to take it easy, to celebrate progress (over perfection), and to be proud of my accomplishments.
What’s next for you?
I co-authored a chapter about the emotional labor of women of color librarians in community colleges in the forthcoming Pushing the Margins: Women of Color and Intersectionality in LIS edited by Rose L. Chou and Annie Pho. Currently, I am co-leading an Assessment in Action project sponsored by the SBCTC Library Leadership Council to assess our library’s Open Educational Resources outreach to Seattle Central faculty. And I am on schedule to complete the tenure process next spring!
This interview was conducted by Molly Higgins.