The Libraries welcomes two new Fellows

The NC State University Libraries is pleased to announce the appointment of the 2023-2026 class of Libraries Fellows. Elan Sandler and Cas Saroza will begin their fellowships this summer.

The Libraries Fellows Program develops academic library leaders of the future, giving new librarians the opportunity to build their knowledge and expertise in a home department and to play a leadership role in an initiative of strategic importance for the Libraries. Fellows are appointed for a three-year term as members of the Libraries faculty. Since its inception in 1999, the program has attracted many highly talented graduates from universities throughout North America.

"We are elated to welcome Elan and Cas as our 2023-2026 Libraries Fellows,” says Tarida Anantachai, Director, Inclusion & Talent Management. “Among other areas, they each impressed us with their demonstrated commitment to student success and to building inclusive, welcoming opportunities that holistically support the student experience. Their thoughtful attention to equity, diversity, and inclusion was evident in both their own personal experiences as students, as well as in how they have subsequently applied these values into their approach to their work. We're excited to work with them and to support their already emerging leadership journey in libraries."

Elan Sandler will join the Research Engagement department, and his initiative will be “Student Success for a New Generation” in Learning Spaces & Services. Sandler currently serves as a part-time Reference Librarian at Eckerd College Library in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he provides in-person and digital reference assistance for students and faculty; assists with instruction, workshops, and outreach activities; designs and coordinates library social media activity; and helps with training and supervision of student employees. He also serves as an Instruction & Reference Assistant at St. Petersburg College Library, providing reference and research services, creating instructional materials, contributing to the library’s assessment and training protocols, and serving as a disciplinary liaison for the Arts & Humanities departments across all St. Petersburg College campuses. His previous roles include Library Instruction Intern at New College of Florida and Outreach & Collection Development Intern at the Fagin Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Collection in Sarasota, Florida.

Sandler will receive the Master of Science in Information Sciences from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville this spring. He also holds the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from New College of Florida and the Associate of Arts in Political Science from Tallahassee Community College.

Cas Saroza will join Access Services as a home department, and their initiative will be  “Supporting Equitable Collection Strategy & Scholarly Communication” in Collections & Research Strategy. Saroza is currently a Carolina Academic Libraries Associate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries. As a member of the Research and Instructional Services department, they have taught information literacy sessions to first-year undergraduates; provided research consultation and support for students both in person and online; served as a Personal Librarian to support new transfer students; and assisted in creating and facilitating outreach and wellness events. Working with the Media and Design Center, they created a series of seven videos on information literacy skills; produced course-based information literacy instruction videos for English instructors to embed into online learning management systems; and provided a variety of services for users of that center. Previously, they served as a University Library Technician in the Student Success division at the NC State University Libraries, providing a range of public services and facilitating in-person and virtual workshops and instruction sessions.

Saroza will be awarded the Master of Science in Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this spring, and they hold the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from NC State University.