College of Information and Communications

2025 News - iSchool

Garnet Apple Award: Vanessa Kitzie

Asking why is an integral part of Vanessa Kitzie’s personality. As a 2025 winner of the university’s Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation, Kitzie is putting the question to her students in ways that force them to consider emerging technology from every perspective.

Recognizing the bias in AI

Assistant professor Alamir Novin conducted a volunteer-based study on user interaction with AI systems and how user bias evolves. Among the 200 participants, he found evidence of four basic types of cognitive bias.

Alumna Tamara King to lead Richland Library

King, who holds degrees from both the School of Information Science and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, will become the first African American to lead the nationally recognized library system.

Library and Information Science: The right stuff

The USC School of Information Science is featured in this Library Journal article about programs that are ensuring that future librarians have the right stuff, not just to survive but to thrive in this digital age.

Raphael Ebiefung awarded prestigious Grace Jordan McFadden Professor Program fellowship

Ebiefung, a doctoral student specializing in human-AI interaction and information behavior, believes the fellowship will deepen his understanding and expand his capacity to contribute meaningfully to both scholarship and teaching.

iSchool hosts ceremony for spring and summer graduates

The School of Information Science held a spring and summer graduation ceremony for 113 students earning doctoral, masters or certificate degrees in the Russell House Theater on May 8, 2025.

CTE honors 2025 Garnet Apple Award winners for teaching innovation

USC’s Center for Teaching Excellence named iSchool's Vanessa Kitzie, Ph.D., a recipient of the 2025 Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation, recognizing exceptional educators who enhance student learning through innovative teaching practices.

iSchool's MLIS program and specialties among the best in the nation

The Master of Library and Information Science program is now ranked No. 16 in the nation, making it the second-highest ranked program in the SEC — a climb from our previous position at fourth in the conference.

Professor works to remove barriers to information for visually impaired

Dick Kawooya passionately works to shed light on legal or ethical obstacles -- from copyright laws to the cost of printing in braille -- which stand in the way of making digital and printed books accessible to the visually impaired.

Caldecott Medal winner Vashti Harrison to present 2025 Augusta Baker Lecture

In conversation with Augusta Baker Endowed Chair Nicole A. Cooke, Vashti Harrison will discuss her books, her collaborations, inspirations and more during the 2025 Augusta Baker Lecture. A book signing and reception will follow.

Honoring legacy, celebrating excellence: 40th Annual Deans' and Directors' Lecture

The evening was marked by poignant tributes to two influential figures in library science alongside recognition of outstanding achievements by students and alumni.

Cocky’s Reading Express brings the joy of books to Sandel Elementary

WIS TV was at Sandel Elementary as Cocky’s Reading Express rolled in with a mission: to give away 20,000 books across South Carolina in it's 20th anniversary year.

School of Information Science partners with Fusion Cyber

Thousands of jobs across the state go unfilled because applicants lack the technical expertise needed for cybersecurity roles. The iSchool and Fusion Cyber are working together to fulfill the cybersecurity needs of South Carolina.

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