Anissa Ali and Regina Gong, Wayne State University Library and Information Science students, were recently selected for the inaugural Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Career Enhancement Program, which gives MLIS students from underrepresented groups the opportunity to begin their careers in research libraries early by providing a robust fellowship experience in an ARL member library.

"I really believe that this program will jump start my career in libraries," said Gong. "The opportunity to work and gain practical experience in a research library as well as participate in a mentoring relationship with a professional librarian are two of the most important components of the ARL Career Enhancement Program fellowship."

Ali and Gong will participate in the Career Enhancement Program's four main components: a six-to twelve-week fellowship experience in an ARL library, a mentoring relationship with a professional librarian throughout the fellowship, participation in the ARL Leadership Institute and career placement assistance. Gong will have the opportunity to explore digital projects at the University of Arizona in Tucson while Ali will be working in reference at the University of Kentucky.

Funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services and ARL member libraries, the Career Enhancement Program is a result of the commitment ARL members have to creating a diverse research library community that will meet the new challenges of global competition and changing demographics.

As part of the Wayne State University Library System, the Library and Information Science master's program is one of the largest American Library Association-accredited LIS programs in the U.S. and Canada, with over 550 students enrolled across six specialized programs.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students.