Get to Know 2026 Scholarship Committee Advisory Past Chair Kathryn Shenk
 Kathryn is a Science & Math Librarian at James Madison University (JMU) Libraries. Kathryn holds a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of Kentucky, where she focused on academic librarianship. She loves tackling research questions from all sides, working to make citations fun, and delights in evidence synthesis work. Kathryn is passionate about making information literacy instruction a core part of the undergraduate STEM curriculum.
At James Madison University, Kathryn is the Chair of the Libraries Recognition Committee, she co-hosts an escape room challenge for the madiSTEM conference, and she gives back to the wider Harrisonburg community by helping with the Blacks Run Cleanup Day each year.
Kathryn has been involved with the Scholarship Committee since 2021, and has served in various roles, from general member to Chair. This year, she will enter an Advisory Past Chair role to help usher in and mentor a new leadership cohort.
Your itinerary for one perfect day in Virginia:
Kathryn makes her home in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. She’d begin her day with a trip to Strite’s Donuts, as their warm, cake-style donuts are unparalleled. Kathryn would then journey to Shenandoah National Park for a long hike, make a stop at an apple orchard, and then she’d return home for a warm dinner filled with local produce.
One thing you can't live without:
A small Moka Pot purchased from a hardware store in Vienna, Austria. It makes the best coffee!
One favorite course from your time in school (undergrad, graduate, or doctoral programs welcome):
As an undergraduate, Kathryn majored in Religious Studies. Her favorite courses centered around the historical, theological, and philosophical examination of religious texts. In one elective course, she studied Jewish Mysticism (Kabbalah), which included a reading of the Zohar. The course was wildly fascinating and mind-bending.
One piece of advice for Scholarship Committee members:
With each application, there is a real student trying to make a difference in their community. Never lose sight of the impact that the Scholarship Committee can have on someone’s academic journey.
One accomplishment you'd like to share:
As a Science and Math Librarian at JMU Libraries, Kathryn’s research relates to information literacy practices in STEM education. You can read about her work in Chemistry Classrooms in this Virginia Libraries article.
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