M.A. Student Input and Engagement with LIS Program-level Operations

In this critical essay, we call for a revisioning of LIS educator roles in administration and mentor capacities related to the incorporation of MLIS students in program-level, particularly curricular, decision-making processes. The goals and responsibilities of LIS programs are varied, yet students are generally understood to be critical program stakeholders despite limited time in LIS programs. In positing an involved role for MLIS students, this paper addresses the issue of agency in decolonizing LIS as it proposes a reimagining of librarian educator roles by empowering students as change agents. Additionally, including MLIS students in program processes, and providing them with a voice, offers a more equitable approach to the operation of LIS programs. Our call demands a revisiting of policies to promote inclusivity and equity in LIS programs. In these ways, this conceptual paper prioritizes diverse perspectives, cultivates agency, builds inclusivity, and prepares students for equitable and dynamic information environments.