By Lilunnaher, Graduate Assistant, Office of Digital Scholarship

Some moments in life open quiet but powerful doors—doors that lead not just to opportunities, but to transformation. I still remember the day Dr. Jordan F. Bratt, my supervisor, selected me to join the Office of Digital Scholarship as a Graduate Assistant. It wasn’t just the start of a position but an extraordinary journey filled with growth, discovery, and meaningful connections that continue to shape who I am today.

My name is Lilunnaher, and I’m a graduate student in the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Linguistics MA program at Ball State University. While the classroom has been foundational, some of the most transformative experiences of my academic life have taken place beyond it most notably through my work with University Libraries. University Libraries offer graduate students incredible opportunities to work with various units. My graduate assistantship came with the benefit of full tuition remission and a stipend, which not only helped support my education financially but beyond that, it gave me the chance to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in a professional, student-friendly environment.

During my time with the Office of Digital Scholarship, I had the chance to assist with various digital projects, perform quality checks with the Archives, and help with Copyright and Publishing services. Through these roles, I developed valuable skills in digital project management, accessibility design, scholarly communication, and copyright literacy. The work environment at Bracken Library has been welcoming and collaborative. I had the pleasure of working with the most supportive team at Library Data and Discovery Solutions, who were always understanding and encouraging. Their kindness made a huge difference during stressful times, and I always felt like my voice and contributions mattered.

Last academic year, I was able to serve as the student member of the Board of Governors member for the Friends of Alexander M. Bracken Library. The Friends group is a dedicated circle of advocates who are passionate about enhancing the library’s role as a vibrant intellectual and cultural hub for all. It has been an unique opportunity to share ideas for promoting library services, support outreach efforts that connect our campus community, and engage in discussions on how to make the library even more meaningful.

As a student, I’ve made full use of the Libraries’ rich academic resources. Being able to borrow books related to my courses for an entire semester has not only saved me money, but also made my learning more accessible and stress-free. The library’s extensive collection of academic journals and databases, along with the incredibly efficient interlibrary loan system, has been a lifesaver during research-intensive semesters. Beyond resources, University Libraries have also played a vital role in my professional and scholarly development. I participated in several workshops and training sessions, including the Digital Scholarship Workshop Series, Copyright Essentials for Students, and Literature Review workshops, all of which helped sharpen my research skills.

From my own experience, I can say that whether you’re an undergraduate student worker or a graduate assistant, Ball State University Libraries is a wonderful place to learn, grow, and connect.