Hello Everyone,

I have been asked by Drs. Trudi Hahn and Yan Qu to assist in re-establishing our dormant student chapter of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T).  Last year a number of doctoral and masters students expressed an interest, but further organization did not occur.  The group’s advisors and I would like to see the student chapter revitalized in conjunction with the scholarly work, writing, and communities of interest active within the college. 

For students who are not familiar with ASIS&T, please visit the society’s web site http://www.asis.org/index.html.  In addition to the national organization, there is a regional Potomac Valley Chapter which holds periodic gatherings.  Its web site is http://www.asis.org/Chapters/asispvc/index.html.

Whereas other student organizations to which you may belong focus on specific professional specializations, ASIS&T stretches across disciplines and professions to advance the information sciences and related applications of information technology by providing focus, opportunity, and support to information professionals and organizations. 

To give an idea of the breadth and scope of the organization, click on the following link http://www.asis.org/SIG/sigs.html, and browse the Special Interest Groups that function within the society.  Regardless of what profession you identify with, ASIS&T brings information professionals together to share ideas, practices, and technologies.

ASIS&T has just concluded its 2009 annual meeting in Vancouver, B.C.  This link to the conference program, http://www.asis.org/Conferences/AM09/program.html, offers further insight into the diversity of topics important to the organization, as well as the areas of expertise represented by presenters and members.  Upcoming conferences include the Information Architecture Summit in Phoenix in April 2010 and the next Annual Meeting being held in Pittsburgh in late October.

If you are interested in being a part of a student chapter of ASIS&T, or are already a student member of the society, please contact me and help bring the UMD ASIS&T chapter to life.  Thank you.

Lloyd Beers
Doctoral Student 
College of Information Studies