Sonia Santana Arroyo

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

After earning my Bachelor's degree in Library Science in Cuba and building two decades of experience in academic and medical libraries, I discovered that a Master's degree is essential for advancing as a librarian in the United States. FSU's School of Information, consistently ranked among the top programs nationally with a prestigious legacy since 1947, offered the perfect opportunity to formalize my expertise and gain the advanced skills needed to excel in my current role as Research & Data Repository Manager at Florida International University's Digital Collections Department. The program's specialized curriculum in digital libraries, metadata theory, and information systems management directly aligns with my professional goals in leading digital initiatives and managing complex research data repositories.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

My responsibilities include coordinating systematic data curation and ingestion processes, developing and delivering data management workshops, maintaining data services guides, and overseeing faculty repository deposits. My professional goals are directing large-scale digitization projects, developing innovative approaches to digital preservation, and exploring artificial intelligence applications for metadata creation, especially for multilingual collections. I aim to expand my expertise to manage complex datasets, with particular emphasis on spatial data repositories and geodatabases. This work is important as research data becomes increasingly central to scholarly communication, requiring sophisticated management systems that ensure long-term preservation and accessibility for future generations of researchers.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I am most proud of winning the Special Libraries Association (SLA) Tuition Scholarship in 2025, which not only provided essential financial support but also represented recognition of my dedication to the library science profession and opened doors to my first U.S. professional membership, now with the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) following SLA's merger. Additionally, I've been honored to serve on the 2025-2028 Editorial Board of the Journal of the Medical Library Association and have published two scholarly articles since beginning the program, including "Making data matter: Research data management at Florida International University" (forthcoming in Against the Grain, April 2026). The SLA scholarship is especially meaningful because it validated my journey as an international professional rebuilding my career in the United States and provided the foundation to connect with the broader information science community.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Graduate school demands dedication and perseverance. Be patient with yourself as you navigate the inevitable obstacles, as they are part of the growth process. Most importantly, embrace and enjoy the learning experience; graduate school is not just about the degree, but about the knowledge you gain, the connections you make, and the professional you become along the way.