News and Announcements

Illustration of newspaper
  • Iris Amelia O’Connor (Web and Digital Services) has passed the International Association of Accessibility Professionals’ Accessible Document Specialist examination. She is one of 253 accessible document specialists around the world with this certification. (And Rebecca Meyer in ITG is another of the 253!)
  • Chelsea JacksonJones (Student Transitions and Family Programs) presented “Empowering Orientation Leaders: Crafting Tailored OL Training” at the NODA Region IX Conference at Bentley University in March. Her presentation was pronounced a regional winner and she has been invited to give the presentation at the national NODA conference.

Announcements

Thanks to all of the staff who participated in this year’s WasteNot Emerson events. Enjoy the artwork that staff submitted to the art competition:

Elizabeth Apple (Iwasaki Library)

Artist Description: This piece is completely made out of recycled materials that I literally grabbed (and cleaned) from my trash and recycling! I feel like I’ve learned a lot about sustainability from Emerson’s initiatives and events, so I chose to construct a lion in honor of our mascot! The mane of the lion is made from two paper bags from Whole Foods. The face is made from plastic bubble wrap from an Amazon package and the facial details are made from receipts, toilet paper rolls, wrapping paper from Kane’s Donuts, and a handle of a Whole Foods bag. All the materials are assembled together with scotch tape. When figuring out how I wanted to create my art, I looked around my apartment and saw so much stuff and trash! I knew then that I did not want to purchase materials or add to the trash—I wanted to incorporate my sustainability theme via the materials used. My goal with this work was to reinforce the message about being resourceful and thoughtful with your items/what you have already, before buying something new!

tamia jordan (intercultural student affairs)

Artist Description: This collage is a visual ode to Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, embodying the novel’s themes of resilience, transformation, and sustainability. Just as Lauren Olamina gathers fragments of a fractured world to forge a new future with Earthseed, this piece assembles diverse elements to reflect both the chaos and potential of survival. The imagery evokes struggle and adaptation, the tension between destruction and renewal, and the urgent need to live in harmony with the Earth. Sustainability—both environmental and communal—is central, echoing the novel’s call to nurture what remains and cultivate a future where humanity and nature thrive together. Through this piece, the spirit of Earthseed—where “God Is Change”—is brought to life, reminding us that in times of collapse, creation and stewardship are acts of resistance.

Ariel Kuo (Healing and Advocacy Collective)

Artist Descrption: This artwork utilizes recycled fiber, skillfully cut into wide, uniform strips. The strips are intricately woven together to form a cohesive textile piece, which is then fashioned into a garment-like structure. The final creation is draped over a plain chair, transforming the everyday object into a canvas of sustainability and creativity. The project focuses on reusing materials, turning something simple into a creative and meaningful art piece. The woven fabric transforms the chair, making it more than just furniture, but a unique work of art that blends sustainability and design.