Sol Cátala-Valentín is an Area Studies and Reference Librarian, under the C.T. Vivian Scholars Program. She works at the Areas Studies Research Center and Collections in Malpass Library. With a background in reference services and experience as an information specialist, she holds a Master's in Information Sciences and a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus. Previously, she was a member of the Caribbean Digital Scholarship Collective (UPR Caribe Digital), which is committed to preserving the history and culture of community-based initiatives in Puerto Rico. Her commitment to enhancing information access and education through library practice and digital technology has led her to pursue a second master's degree in Instructional Design and Technology at Western Illinois University.

Ekene is a Graduate Student in the college of Computer Science. He is a product manager with a focus on cybersecurity and enjoys working with teams to solve unique problems. He is a great communicator and loves everything that borders Business, Technology and the User Experience. A 2x Graduate Assistant at the Leslie Malpass Library, he helped to develop a website for the Digital Scholarship Center; focusing on its usability, and now works at the ASRC, contributing towards the development of it’s website and crafting personable digital experiences for Library Patrons. He is a 2x recipient of the HarvardX Executive Education Program, the 2023 Graham-Little Scholarship Recipient, and a self help aficionado.

Udaysreya Pashikanti is a Graduate Assistant at Western Illinois University Libraries and is currently pursuing her Master's in Computer Science. With a B.Tech in Computer Science from Bhoj Reddy Engineering College, India, she brings a wealth of technical expertise, particularly in web technologies, programming languages, and cloud computing. Her professional experience includes working as an IAAS-Associate in Digital Modernization at Hitachi-Vantara, where she contributed to data preparation for machine learning projects. At WIU, Udaysreya plays a key role in developing the website for the Area Studies Research Center and Collection, as well as helping identify valuable materials for the Asian and European studies collection. Her multicultural background and technical proficiency make her a valuable asset in enhancing the library's digital initiatives.

David Ramirez is a sophomore majoring in Spanish Education. He graduated from Monmouth-Roseville High School and is a research assistant for Western Illinois University’s department of Area Studies Research Center and Collections. He has been on multiple committees and boards like the Student Advisory Council for Illinois State Board of Education and was nationally recognized at the Professional Agricultural Students national conference for his winning speech about the impact Immigrant Workers in agriculture.

Latifa Yari is a Fulbright Scholar currently pursuing a master’s degree in Quantitative Economics at Western Illinois University, Macomb. She is equipped with a strong foundation in economics and data analysis software programs like R, Python, and STATA, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a unique set of skills to her role as a Graduate Assistant at WIU library. She has previously served as a Research Officer, Economic Analysis Junior Officer, Proposal Writer, and Program Coordinator in the Central Asia region. Latifa is fluent in multiple languages and is an active member of professional societies. She hails from the region, therefore, she is well-placed to contribute to the research studies on Middle East regions and beyond in her role as a Graduate Assistant at the WIU library.