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Home > People > Alumni Profiles > Spotlight
SI SpotlightMonique Uzelac (MSI '05)
"I was attracted to SI because of the program's focus on the intersection of people, technology, and information. My passion is access to information: SI offers many opportunities to explore and apply this passion, from community information services to librarianship to information policy. When I began the program, I was not certain of the direction I planned to take, but I was certain that SI would allow me to make the most of any opportunity I decided to pursue."
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Before SI: She earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics at Albion College, and then worked for a number of years before deciding to come to SI. Her professional experience focused on Web and information technology. Her past experience included working for the University of Edinburgh in computer support. Monique also held freelance tech support and database design positions. Prior to SI, she worked for eight years at Aquent, a creative services firm, in multiple roles from recruiter to business development to Web and technology team leader.
At SI: While at SI, Monique took advantage of opportunities to work on projects that had a strong personal interest to her. "During my first year, I participated in a directed study with five other
students, working with Digital Partners on a project with the African Centre for Women, Information and Communication Technology. Our
student group helped develop a business plan to help bring
agricultural information directly to fishermen and farmers in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya. Through a grant from the International Center at U-M, our group had the opportunity to travel to Kenya and work directly with the team at ACWICT. It was an eye-opening learning experience that demonstrated the need for open access to information in order to provide basic economic opportunities for people."
Monique also participated in the School of Information Student Association and what is now the Youth and School Librarians organization. She adds that it was a primary help in navigating the school librarianship requirments of both SI and the University of Michigan School of Education.
"Alternative Spring Break was another highlight of my experience at SI," she says. "I had a wonderful opportunity to work at the National Library of Medicine creating searches for the Healthy People 2010 information access project."
After SI: Monique accepted a position as assistive technology consultant with the Ann Arbor Public Schools prior to graduating from SI. "In this position," she says, "I provided individual and group instruction to students in the use of
instructional software and assistive technology processes and devices. In an additional role as project manager for the planning and implementation of a new special education data management system, I worked with a team of special education experts, trainers, and technology staff to successfully deploy Web-delivered software to more than 300 staff members."
After a year in that role, Monique accepted a media specialist position in the district. She now collaborates with classroom teachers to offer instructional support and information literacy instruction.
"SI has provided me with a strong educational foundation for both of these roles," she says. "I believe both the U-M degree and the experiences I was afforded at SI gave me the resume and the skills necessary to land the right job for me."
Monique notes that being part of the larger U-M community allowed her both professional growth and personal enjoyment.
"Professionally, I took a staff position as an information specialist at the Public Health Library while still a student at SI. The opportunity to take on this role grew out of my experience in a student position and the educational foundation I was
provided in my courses at SI.
"Personally, access to myriad arts activities and the Rackham events for students with families allowed me to involve my children in campus activities. As a working parent of two children under 6 during my studies, I was often stretched very thin between school, work, and home responsibilities. Friendships I made at SI and connections with other U-M alumni supported me then and remain strong now."
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