Catch up with a Libraries student scholarship awardee: Brianna Bui

The Libraries awards a number of part-scholarships every year to our outstanding Libraries student workers as part of our efforts to support student success and affordability. Since 2018, we've awarded 35 scholarships of varying amounts totaling $119,000. For the academic year 2022–23, philanthropic support for the Libraries Student Scholarship Fund has allowed us to support 10 of our talented students with scholarships worth $36,000 in total. This profile is one in a series that lets our scholarship winners tell their stories.

Today we profile Brianna Bui, a senior studying Chemical Engineering and Paper Science and Engineering who works at the Natural Resources Library. As a young person, she found herself losing track of time designing an art project, or building a Lego mansion, or trying to solve a difficult math question or riddle—no wonder she went into engineering!

What are your hobbies and activities outside of school?

I love to travel, try new foods, and do anything art-related. Currently, I have been painting water bottles for my family and friends :)

Why did you choose to work at the Libraries? What roles have libraries played in your life in general?

I chose to work at the Natural Resources Library because I had only heard good things about the job. The library has allowed me to connect with students and faculty outside of my major. It has also been very fulfilling to work in customer service again after a couple of years focusing on school and internships.

What have you been most looking forward to this school year?

I am looking forward to spending time hanging out with my friends and exploring Raleigh.

What do you hope to do after you graduate?

I hope to work for an engineering consulting firm doing work for a paper mill or manufacturer.

What have you learned through your work at the Libraries? How does your work at the Libraries support or lead into your post-graduation plans?

My work at the library has taught me how to efficiently work with students and faculty to answer their questions that even I may not know the answer to. It has taught me how to search diligently for answers to questions that I don't have the answer to.

How will a Libraries scholarship help you on your educational/personal path? Is there anything specific that the scholarship will enable or help you to do?

It will help me offset the cost of tuition and let me focus more on my studies. 

Learn more about the Libraries Student Scholarship Endowment here, and donate directly here.