Feature Friday: From Graduate Assistants to Digital Scholarship Leaders
Posted April 3, 2026 in Feature Friday, Featured News, Giving to JMU Libraries News, JMU Libraries News
For former JMU Libraries graduate assistants Mariam Ismail and Iliana Cosme-Brooks, their time in the Libraries was more than a job—it was a turning point.
Today, Mariam and Iliana are building careers in digital scholarship and academic publishing, carrying forward the skills and perspectives they developed at JMU.
Hands-On Work That Shapes Careers
During their graduate assistantships at JMU Libraries, both Mariam and Iliana worked on projects that blended research, technology, and storytelling. They were invited to explore new tools, contribute ideas, and grow into increasing responsibility over time.
Mariam’s work ranged from building interactive digital exhibits to supporting community-based oral history projects and experimenting with 3D scanning technologies. In one project, she helped create a digital companion to a physical exhibit, incorporating alumni stories, archival materials, and even 3D models.
“I didn’t even realize this kind of work existed in libraries,” she recalls. “It changed how I think about storytelling, research, and community engagement.”
Iliana contributed to digital humanities initiatives and helped produce an open educational resource through the Furious Flower Poetry Center—an experience that introduced her to publishing platforms and workflows she now uses daily.
“It wasn’t just about completing tasks,” Iliana reflects. “It was about building something that connected to my academic interests and professional goals. The practical experience was extremely transferable to the work I do now.”
These projects shaped Mariam and Iliana’s careers and made meaningful contributions to the campus and the communities involved.
Mentorship That Extends Beyond Graduation
Mentorship was defining part of their experience in the Libraries.
Library faculty and staff created an environment where graduate assistants could experiment, lead, and learn. Mariam described starting as a workshop assistant and eventually leading sessions herself—an experience that directly translates to her current work.
Just as important, those relationships didn’t end when the assistantship did. According to Mariam, “It wasn’t just a graduate assistantship—it turned into long-term professional relationships and friendships.”
Today, those mentors remain collaborators, references, and trusted colleagues.
From JMU to the Profession
Now working at Virginia Tech Publishing & Press, Mariam and Iliana contribute to a wide range of initiatives—from open access books and journals to digital scholarship and community-based storytelling projects.
Their work helps make scholarship more accessible, interactive, and inclusive, whether through publishing research without paywalls or building digital platforms that preserve and share community histories.
In many ways, they are doing the same kind of work they began at JMU.
Why It Matters
Mariam and Iliana’s experiences highlight what’s possible when graduate assistantships are designed as true learning opportunities.
Through hands-on work, mentorship, and the freedom to explore their interests, they didn’t just gain experience—they developed confidence, discovered career paths, and built a foundation for long-term success.
Looking Ahead
Stories like these demonstrate the value of the Libraries not only as an integral part of the university infrastructure and a partner in advancing research, scholarship, and teaching at JMU, but also as a place where the next generation of professionals are getting their start.
For graduate students, the message is clear:
An assistantship at JMU Libraries isn’t just a job. It’s an opportunity for meaningful work and professional growth. It’s a place to build your future.
This story is part of the JMU Libraries Feature Friday series. If you’d like to recommend a person or project connected with JMU Libraries to feature in this series, contact us at libraries@jmu.edu.
Learn more about Student Jobs and Assistantships at JMU Libraries.